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Cross-Cultural Training

Lesson 5: Culture in the Workplace

Application of Cultural Differences to the Workplace

According to Geert Hofstede, power distance refers to “the degree of inequality which people of a country view acceptable.” In the workplace in cultures with high power distance, this means that it is only natural that everyone will not have the same amount of power. It is also quite natural to have smart people and those who are not so smart. Because of this belief, the people with power do not share it and they make a great deal about it. They also act in a way that lets it be known that they are the ones with the power, so as not to be confused with the ones who do not have power. At the same time, they realize that with power comes responsibility and they do what is necessary to take care of their subordinates. The powerful closely supervise those beneath them and subordinates usually do not take initiative.

Quite the opposite is true in low power distance cultures. It is not the normal flow for people to have power over others, but it may be the convenient way to operate. This outlook causes those with power to make themselves seem as much like their subordinates as possible. They delegate responsibilities and have no problem sharing their power. Taking initiative is rewarded and close supervision is frowned upon.

The dimension of uncertainty avoidance is defined as "the extent to which people in a given culture prefer structured situations with clear rules over unstructured ones." Cultures with high uncertainty avoidance need rules. They need to control things because the uncertainty in life evokes fear.

Cultures with low uncertainty avoidance are not afraid of the unexpected. They see the uncertainty in life more as a challenge as opposed to something to be feared. Therefore, there is less need for them to control it. As a result, there are less rules and regulations, less structure, and far less systems. In fact, these things tend to stifle them.

In the next section, you will have the opportunity to assess your ability to recognize these influences as they may confront you in the workplace by completing a series of exercises designed by The Peace Corps.