Hofstede Dimensions

The world has witnessed unprecedented change over the last decade. Continuing advances in
communications technology and social media have made the world a smaller place. We can instantly learn
about events happening around the world using Skype, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, television, and the
Internet. Today, international travel continues to grow despite a soft global economy. Furthermore, travel
experts suggest international travel will grow by 50% over the next ten years. Finally, we have witnessed an
unparalleled expansion of global business and trade. Chapter 5 in the Griffin text describes the implications of
this expansion.
In 1984, Geert Hofstede completed his seminal research regarding the impact of culture in the workplace. He
developed the Hofstede dimensions in order to describe and characterize people from different cultures. Read
more about how his work continues today at Geert-Hofstede.com.
Can significant changes like those described above create change in a country's Hofstede cultural
dimensions? Or, are the Hofstede dimensions more deeply ingrained in a country's ethos, and therefore,
resistant to change?
Readings:
Textbook (See attached document)
Carpenter, M., Bauer, T., & Erdogan, B. (2010). Principles of management.
Chapters 3.3, 3.4
Magazine Article
McCrum, R. (June 12, 2010). Glob-ish. Newsweek.
Websites
Geert-Hofstede.com