Measuring Cross-Cultural Differences: Applying Hofstede to New Realities
Abstract
| Measuring cross-cultural differences involves something entirely different than a simple application of the universal dimensions of national cultures; Hofstede and Minkov never pretended that such theoretical constructs like “individualism – collectivism dimension” really exist “out there” as hidden molds of socialization patterning individual behavior and cloning obedient followers of respective national cultural softwares. Relying on his and Hofstede’s forthcoming book on cross-cultural analysis Minkov explains why an empirically grounded approach, which allows for capturing differences in cultural values first and for drawing theoretical generalizations (about differences between groups of individuals differing in spatial location and organizational contexts) and pragmatic conclusions next is to be preferred to the speculations about values, practices, norms and stereotypes as a starting point of research projects. Show me how you extract your dimensions, say Minkov and Hofstede comparing the latter to GLOBE, and I will tell you if your extracts have good predictive properties with respect to external variables. |
| Michael Minkov |
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Principal Lecturer in Cross Cultural Awareness, International University Sofia (in programs franchised by the university of Portsmouth and the university of Cardiff) has already a reputation of being Geert Hofstede’s most creative disciple and the most robust and innovative researcher tackling the challenges of GLOBE’s alternative, critical arguments of McSweeney and accounting for the needs of business community as far as training future expats and globally operating managers goes. His academic reputation rests on three books;
He had also been asked to write a chapter on world-values survey for Wiley’s Encyclopedia of Globalization, a chapter on cultural values for Sage’s Encyclopedia of management Theory, and a chapter on collectivism for Springer’s Encyclopedia of quality of life research. His corporate clients include Nestle, Coca-Cola and IBM. He speaks Bulgarian, English, French, Norwegian, Danish, modern Icelandic, Slovene, Croatian and Russian. |
| Contact information: |
| Babs Verploegh |
