Introduction

It’s very essential to note that Culture cannot be measured through one or two ways. It
encompasses too many activities and theoretical concepts according to regional traditions. Cultural
differences may lead conflicts and challenges among the people who work in multinational
organization. To avoid those kind of conflicts and problems help to maintain a good relations
between different kinds of people of different countries. We are living in the Globalizing world so
that at this time international relations and international business play an important role in each
country. To learn the culture difference is very helpful to solve conflicts between peoples, and
subordinates in an organization.

People need to understand when they are doing business that people are different, and therefore, if
they are in another country and make decisions based on how they operate in their own home
country, the chances that they are going make some very bad decisions are very high. People have
to understand that the antecedents are very important in international negotiation, those
antecedents are part of the cultural biases, which include behavior, motivation, and traditions.
There is too much information (inputs), and the Hofstede’s approach helps to get a Synergy which
can result in integrative, distributive, or null outcomes depends on the cross-cultural framework
for negotiation we have encompassed.

Hofstede culture dimension is known as the most famous way to understand culture differences.
These dimensions aim to identify to what extend of differing from each other in the various
environments. For this reason it’s an acceptable theory to analyze cultures charcterestics. . On this
basis we are also attempting to determine American culture structure and its properties as well as
how is the status of the Geert Hofstede dimension in the US. Before identifying American
Cultural dimensions based on Geert Hofstede theory , we need to know what actually Geerts
Hofsteede dimension are .

Geert Hofstede's theory of cultural dimensions describes the effects of a society's culture on the
values of its members, and how these values relate to behavior, using a structure derived from
factor analysis. The theory has been widely used in several fields as a paradigm for research,
particularly in cross-cultural psychology, international management, and cross-cultural
communication.
A brief background of the United states

The United States of America commonly called the United States (US or U.S.) and America, is a
federal republic consisting of fifty states and a federal district. The 48 contiguous states and the
federal district of Washington, D.C. are in central North America between Canada and Mexico.
The state of Alaska is west of Canada and east of Russia across the Bering Strait, and the state of
Hawaii is in the mid-North Pacific. The country also has five populated and nine unpopulated
territories in the Pacific and the Caribbean.

At 3.79 million square miles (9.83 million km2) and with around 315 million people, the United
States is the third-or fourth-largest country by total area and the third-largest by both land area and
population. It is one of the world's most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, the product
of large-scale immigration from many countries The geography and climate of the U.S. is also
extremely diverse, with deserts, plains, forests, and mountains that are home to a wide variety of
species.

Culture of the united states

The culture of the United States is primarily a Western culture, but is also influenced by Native
American, African, Asian, Polynesian, and Latin American cultures. American culture started its
formation over 10,000 years ago with the migration of Paleo-Indians from Asia into the region
that is today the continental United States.. The United States of America is an ethnically and
racially diverse country as a result of large-scale immigration from many different countries
throughout its history. Its chief early European influences came from English, Scottish, Welsh and
Irish settlers of colonial America during British rule. British culture, due to colonial ties with
Britain that spread the English language, legal system and other cultural inheritances, had a
formative influence. Other important influences came from other parts of western Europe,
especially Germany , France, and Italy.
Five culture dimension of the United States of America

(Geert Hofstede)

If we explore the US culture through the lens of the 5-D

Model, we can get a good overview of the deep drivers
of American culture relative to other world cultures.

Power distance In the US

(Mukhammadli Khkhkh-111240011-5)

I am very interested in knowing some culture dimension

in Western society due it’s so extraordinary and sensitive to each person’s overview. That‘s why
it’s really amazing to understand their lifestyle, viewpoints , as well as social and personal
behaviors.

According to Geert Hofstede one of the factory dimensions I would like to identify How Well or
how bad Power distance in America . In fact this dimension deals with the fact that all individuals
in societies are not equal – it expresses the attitude of the culture towards these inequalities
amongst us. Power distance is defined as the extent to which the less powerful members of
institutions and organizations within a country expect and accept that power is distributed
unequally. It has to do with the fact that a society’s inequality is endorsed by the followers as
much as by the leaders.

The United States score low on this dimension (40) which underscores the American promise of
“liberty and justice for all.” This is also evidenced by the focus on equal rights in all aspects of
American society and government. Within American organizations, hierarchy is established for
convenience, superiors are always accessible and managers rely on individual employees and
teams for their expertise. Both managers and employees expect to be consulted and information is
shared frequently. At the same time, communication is informal, direct and participative.
Individualism in the US

( Ganisher Usanov -111240015-5)

The reality of this life is none of people want to be controlled by others. Everyone wish to do
everything as much as rely on his own skills, knowledge, power as well. Practically ,
Individualism is a much used behavioral character in Western society. Here we will see what
actually Individualism is and How we understand individualism’s roles in a society and then how
those of this status in the US.

The fundamental issue addressed by this dimension is the degree of interdependence a society
maintains among its members. It has to do with whether people´s self-image is defined in terms of
“I” or “We”. In Individualist societies people are supposed to look after themselves and their
direct family only. In Collectivist societies people belong to ‘in groups’ that take care of them in
exchange for loyalty.

The United States, with a score of 91 on this dimension, is a highly individualistic culture. This
translates into a loosely-knit society in which the expectation is that people look after themselves
and their immediate families. There is also a high degree of geographical mobility in the United
States and most Americans are accustomed to doing business with, or interacting, with strangers.
Consequently, Americans are not shy about approaching their prospective counterparts in order to
obtain or seek information. In the business world, employees are expected to be self-reliant and
display initiative. Also, within the exchange-based world of work, hiring and promotion decisions
are based on merit or evidence of what one has done or can do

5 cultural dimension index of United Staes of America

120

100

80

60

40

20

0
PDI IDV MAS UAI LTD
Masculinity / Femininity in the US

(Aziz Yusupov -111240020-5)

Based on Geert Hofstede 5 factor cultural analysis we really can have a good enough information
about countries’ culture differences. One of the Culture dimensions is Masculinity and Feminity.
Both of them is very essential concepts to keep in mind how is the role of male or female in a
society. Here let’s try to define both dimension’s essence and its importance.

A high score (masculine) on this dimension indicates that the society will be driven by
competition, achievement and success, with success being defined by the “winner” or “best-in-the-
field.” This value system starts in school and continues throughout one’s life – both in work and
leisure pursuits.

A low score (feminine) on the dimension means that the dominant values in society are caring for
others and quality of life. A feminine society is one where the quality of life is the sign of success
and standing out from the crowd is not admirable. The fundamental issue here is what motivates
people, wanting to be the best (masculine) or liking what you do (feminine).

The United States score 62 on this dimension and is considered a “masculine” society. Behavior
in school, work, and play are based on the shared values that people should “strive to be the best
they can be” and that “the winner takes all”. As a result, Americans will tend to display and talk
freely about their “successes” and achievements in life, here again, another basis for hiring and
promotion decisions in the workplace. Typically, Americans “live to work” so that they can earn
monetary rewards and attain higher status based on how good one can be. Conflicts are resolved
at the individual level and the goal is to win.
Uncertainty avoidance in the US

(Farkhod Juraev -111240009-5)

The dimension Uncertainty Avoidance has to do with the way that a society deals with the fact
that the future can never be known: should we try to control the future or just let it happen? This
ambiguity brings with it anxiety and different cultures have learned to deal with this anxiety in
different ways. The extent to which the members of a culture feel threatened by ambiguous or
unknown situations and have created beliefs and institutions that try to avoid this is reflected in the
UAI score.

The US scores 46 on this dimension and therefore, American society is what one would describe
as “uncertainty accepting.” Consequently, there is a larger degree of acceptance of new ideas,
innovative products and a willingness to try something new or different, whether it pertains to
technology, business practices, or foodstuffs. Americans tend to be more tolerant of ideas or
opinions from anyone and allow the freedom of expression. At the same time, Americans do not
require a lot of rules and are less emotionally expressive than higher-scoring cultures.

Long-term orientation in the US

(Fazliddin Bakirov-101240017-5)

The long term orientation dimension is closely related to the teachings of Confucius and can be
interpreted as dealing with society’s search for virtue, the extent to which a society shows a
pragmatic future-oriented perspective rather than a conventional historical short-term point of
view.

The United States scores 29 on this dimension and is a short-term oriented culture. As a result, it is
a culture focused on the traditions and fulfilling social obligations. Given this perspective,
American businesses measure their performance on a short-term basis, with profit and loss
statements being issued on a quarterly basis. This also drives individuals to strive for quick results
within the work place. There is also a need to have the “absolute truth” in all matters.
 Conclusion

The national culture concept has been being misunderstood for

some research and students, the national culture is a good
approach to describe the behavior of people in a country, and it
was a good way twenty-five years ago to get an idea about doing
business abroad. The world has changed a lot the last two decades,
and it is still changing fast. By the time that personal computers
were growing in sales (1980’s), and the internet was being known
around the world (1990’s), the concepts of culture, nationality and values, have been also changed.
The Hofstede’s national culture concept was the first step in the modern intercultural and even in
the intracultural communication investigations. Obviating the stereotyping scheme, as Professor
Hofstede (2002) said “I never claim that culture is the only thing we should pay attention to. In
many practical cases, it is redundant, and economic, political or institutional factors provide better
explanations. But sometimes they do not, and then we need the construct of culture.” With this
explanation, Hofstede reply to his critics, and he is showing his model as a part and not as a whole
investigation. Professor Hofstede had an idea, to give information to help any kind of research in
any country. When he made his proposal in 1980, after long time of investigation, there were not
to many sources, the technology was not the same as we have today, the relations between
companies and countries were not the same as today, those, and too many more aspects people
have to understand before criticizing the dimensions or the Hofstede’s work. Before Professor
Hofstede showed up with his four first dimensions, there were investigators who were doing the
basis for the Hofstede’s model. There was Edward T. Hall and his research, the mainstay of almost
all the intercultural research.

By doing this assignment we have completely got information about United State’s national
cultural dimension according to 5 famous cultural dimensions. Consequences of the study we have
had reflections about the American lifestyle and their world outlook and etc. So we are known that
in The United states individualism is higher compared to other countries while Long term
Orientation indicates lower degree. Because of so western life and under freedom of speech they
American people are too individualistic. For these reasons Family also is not too important thing
for them . They do everything rely on their desires and wants. They don’t care to be very
respectful towards high positions people.
Today it is easier to get information about people around the world; the information is only one
“mouse’s” click away. Anyway, many people are still using the five dimensions. There are also a
great number of critics who have given a remarkable value to Hofstede’s model. The dimensions
are being used in different fields giving the label of “indispensable” in any intercultural and
international research. Moreover, Hofstede’s books are primordial in many studies around the
world; universities in the United States, Europe and Asia are using his model in a countless
research. Today we are dealing with a new concept, globalization that is made of the world a new
place with new “cultures”, values and ways to do business. The European Union is a good
example of the elimination of boundaries. Now, the Hofstede’s model is being renovated to be
suitable with the modern world.
REFERENCES

• Hofstede, Geert. Culture's Consequences, Comparing Values, Behaviors, Institutions, and

Organizations Across Nations. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2001

• Hofstede, Geert. Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind. London: McGraw-Hill

U.K., 1991.

• Hofstede, Geert. Dimensions Do Not Exist – A Reply to Brendan McSweeney. London.

Human Relations, Volume 55, Number 11. 2002.

• Hofstede, Geert. Greet Hofstede: Cultural Dimensions. 2003. ITIM – The Sigma Two

Group. 3 December 2005. http://www.geert-hofstede.com/index.shtml

• Hofstede, Geert. A summary of my ideas about the national culture differences. Geert

Hofstede’s Homepage. 3 December 2005.

http://feweb.uvt.nl/center/hofstede/page3.htm

• Hofstede, Geert. Values Survey Module 1994. Questonnaire. Geert Hofstede BV. 3

December 2005. http://feweb.uvt.nl/center/hofstede/VSM.html

• Nicolson, Kylie. Cultural Diversity, IBM Style. 30 June 2004. Human Resources Magazine.

5 December 2005.

http://www.humanresourcesmagazine.com.au/articles/74/0C021774.asp?Type=60&Cat
 University Malaysia Perlis
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS INNOVATION AND
TECHNOPRENEURSHIP

Assignment on
National cultural dimensions (Professor Geert Hofstede)
The United States of America
Prepared by
Name Matrix number
Fazliddin Bakirov 101240011-5
G`anisher Usanov 111240015-5
Mukhammadali Khkhkh 111240011-5
Aziz Yusupov 111240020-5
Farkhod Jurayev 111240009-5

Prepared for:
Prof.Madya