International Human Resource Management-MJ Version

Cultural differences

Cultural differences are significant differences which have been identified

across countries based on observed cultural dimensions. Quantitative studies

have involved questionnaires, responses for which are analysed at a country

level producing a national sample, which is analysed against and compared

with the other national samples. As would be expected, given the infinite

variety of the human condition, there are always variations within each

national sample. The resultant score of each country on each dimension is

expressed as the mean of the sample population.

Cultural dimensions display significant differences at the country level: the inter-

nal variations within each national sample (for example, differences between

generations, or between genders or professions) have been found to be not as

significant as the differences between the national samples themselves.

How to interpret country differences? If the USA scores high on indi-

vidualism, it would be a mistake to conclude that all North Americans are

individualists. It means that in this country, compared to other(s), an indi-

vidualist way of thinking can be expected and/or is accepted in the sur-

veyed population. However it needs to be noted that country scores do

not determine an individual’s actions; rather they may provide an indica-

tion to a foreign observer as to the possible behavior which may be

encountered.

This chapter focuses on the presentation of the definitions, the measure-
ments and examples of cultural dimensions that have been identified in three
significant cross-national comparative management studies. The conclusion dis-
cusses and summarizes the findings in this rapidly expanding field of research.

Culture in Management 143

Country A

Country B

A B