Technological advancements since the mid-17th century have subjected the world to a new paradigm of globalization, where the concept refers to the incorporation or diffusion of cultures. Technological innovations brought modern techniques into the field of communication as well as transportation. This ultimately brought people around the world closer to one another. For instance, McDonald’s is a globally recognized network of fast-food chains with more than 35,000 outlets across the world. This depicts the fact that people with distinct cultures are part of the same network, where they share a common motto and goal to be achieved. This creates cultural diversity and brings people together. However, in the case of obligatory stances, such networks customize their policies in accordance with the religious and cultural obligations of a particular region they are working in, ultimately creating affection in the hearts of people. Globalization has been highlighted by analysts as an economically oriented term, where trends flow from one region to another through trade. However, the analysis is true; cultures move from one place to another through the movement of people from one region to another, but it is not necessary that these trends are adopted by people across boundaries.
Globalization is an interesting phenomenon, but at the same time, it is an uncertain one. Although cultures are blended together, they still remain distinct and comparable in several dimensions. People communicate and develop connections with one another, where in order to deal effectively and efficiently with people across boundaries, one has to overcome cultural barriers, communication barriers and cultural distinctions, but now the question arises: how can we understand clear differences between different cultures? In order to deal with this concern, Hofstede developed a model of cultural dimensions based upon four core dimensions, but the model was later modified into a five-dimensional model. The five dimensions of the model are:
1. Power Distance Index (PDI):
This dimension of the cultural model is used to understand how a particular society and culture deal with the inequalities among its people. It deals with the unequal distribution of power amongst the population of a particular region. Cultural trends are usually embedded in a society and are passed from generation to generation; therefore, they usually resist any sudden change, and the superstructure of a society develops a hierarchical structure which places individuals in particular positions which cannot be changed easily. However, the dimension deals with the understanding of which society has low power distance. Low-power-distance societies are the ones which raise their voices against the violation of rights and unequal distribution of power.
2. Individualism Versus Collectivism (IDV):
Individualism refers to an ideology where an individual is considered self-reliant and independent. He or she is only legally bound to take care of his or her blood relatives. In such a culture, people grow independently, both professionally and personally. The ideology is quite different from that of collectivism, where individuals are dependent financially, emotionally and legally upon one another. In such a culture, people are bound to take care of their immediate relatives as well as others in their surroundings. People in such societies grow collectively, both professionally and personally.
3. Masculinity Versus Femininity (MAS):
Masculinity and femininity are the two dimensions, either of which is followed by a particular society. Femininity refers to the structure of society where quality of life matters. In such a society, care and affection prevail, voices are raised against the violation of the rights of the weak, the distribution of resources matters and modesty is found; while on the other hand, masculinity refers to the structure of society where success is promoted. In such societies, heroism prevails, achievement is preached and violations of rights are found. Strong competition amongst the individuals of a society is witnessed; therefore, masculinity has also been termed ‘tough’ while femininity has been termed ‘tender’, collectively known as the tough vs. tender dimension of the cultural model.
4. Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI):
The dimension was included in the cultural model in order to identify how a particular society, along with its members, deals with concerns about the future. The future is unpredictable, but the dimension explores how effectively a particular society deals with this scenario. Does the society take significant measures to frame the future or stigmatize it as a natural phenomenon which cannot be controlled? The dimension is actually the proportion to which a particular society deals with confusion. It has been observed that countries with a weak Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI) are calm, where work matters more than the code of conduct, while countries with a strong Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI) have rigid codes of conduct and are intolerant regarding their beliefs.
5. Long Term Orientation Versus Short Term Normative Orientation (LTO):
Each particular region around the globe has a past and a present, and it has to sustain a considerable link with its past in order to deal with its present and future concerns. However, every society has a different approach to this concern. Regions that have a lower score in this dimension are considered to have short-term normative orientation, where they prefer their norms more than change. Regions that have high scores in this dimension are considered to have a long-term orientation, where they prefer modern techniques to deal with their future activities in order to cope with the needs of the current world.
While keeping these dimensions and the above-mentioned graph in mind, the culture of Australia is compared with that of Pakistan. Let us talk about each dimension separately in this document:
- Power Distance Index (PDI):
The above-mentioned graph depicts a lower level of 36% for the power distance index (PDI) in the case of Australia. It highlights the fact that in Australian organizations, hierarchies are developed by the superiors in accordance with their convenience; however, these seniors are approachable. These organizations completely rely upon their employees for worthy output in Australia; however, seniors and juniors both share a friendly environment within their offices. In the case of Pakistan, the power distance index (PDI) is calculated to be relatively higher than that of Australia. It is calculated to be 55%. Since Pakistan is a developing country and has a mixed economic structure, it is, however, more tilted towards capitalism. The case is similar with organizations in Pakistan. A hierarchical structure is designed by the board of directors, which the whole office then abides by, even the constructors too, but the workload is shared in the offices. The office environment, however, is different for different offices. Employees, as well as seniors, share a comfortable environment in many offices, while at the same time, they do not in other offices.
- Individualism Versus Collectivism (IDV):
The above-mentioned graph depicts quite a low score of 14% for this dimension in the case of Pakistan, while in the case of Australia, the score is 90%, which is significantly higher. This highlights the fact that people in Pakistan follow a collectivist culture while Australians follow an individualistic culture. This furthermore highlights the reality that the people of Pakistan are likely to grow collectively, both professionally as well as personally. These individuals pay long-term attention to the loyalty of their relations with immediate as well as extended families; they are more likely to follow societal traditions and norms. People in Pakistan are emotionally attached to one another. This collectivist culture is also depicted in the official organizations of Pakistan, where hiring and firing also depend upon team efforts. Moving towards Australia, statistics show that the individuals of the country follow an individualistic culture; this means that they are likely to grow independently, both professionally as well as personally. People are only meant to take care of themselves and their immediate relatives. These individuals follow the same culture within their organizations, where they are independent and tend to grow through self-reliance. Society only supports merit-based promotions, where progress depends upon an individual’s efforts or hard work.
- Masculinity Versus Femininity (MAS):
As per the above-mentioned graph, Australia scores 61% in this dimension, while Pakistan scores 50%. However, in this dimension, both societies follow more or less common cultures with a few distinct features. Australian culture promotes success and provides all benefits to the one who achieves the most. Society is based upon strong competition amongst its individuals, where strong emphasis is placed upon the achievement and success of an individual. However, in Pakistan, the proportion is more or less similar to that of Australia, but 50% shows that the society follows both customs equally. Achievement and success are promoted in this society, but at the same time, care and affection for others also prevail, as Pakistan has a collectivist culture too.
- Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI):
As per the above-mentioned graph, Pakistan scores 70% in the uncertainty avoidance index, which, in actuality, is an incredibly high figure. This depicts the fact that Pakistan is highly concerned about its future. This shows that Pakistan has a rigid code of conduct and is intolerant regarding its beliefs. This also highlights that Pakistan has a rigid set of rules, but regulation of these rules is not considered necessary, unfortunately. In the case of Australia, the figure is recorded to be 51%, which highlights that the country lies on the threshold; therefore, it focuses on the quality of work as well as the rigidity of its beliefs.
- Long Term Orientation Versus Short Term Normative Orientation (LTO):
As per the above-mentioned graph, Australia has a score of 21%, which is comparatively lower than Pakistan’s score of 50% in this dimension. Australia has a normative orientation, which means that Australians are quite normative in their cognitive abilities and believe in achieving goals quickly. “People in such societies have a strong concern with establishing the absolute Truth.” However, when it comes to Pakistan, its score is quite intermediate; this depicts that the country lies on the threshold. Its people are likely to follow both short-term normative orientation, where they prefer their norms more than change, and long-term orientation, where they prefer modern techniques to deal with their future activities in order to cope with the needs of the current world, at the same time (Conerly et al., 2021).
As per my analysis, the statistics regarding the culture of Australia are more or less significant; however, a small variation or bias might exist. For instance, we talk about individualism, which refers to an ideology where the individual is considered self-reliant and independent. He or she is only legally bound to take care of his or her blood relatives. In such a culture, people grow independently, both professionally and personally. Australia, to me, is somehow an accurate example of this kind of culture, where an individualistic code of conduct, just like America, is followed. People tend to work in organizations to produce more for themselves rather than the organization. They follow the same culture within their families; they only take care of their immediate relatives, as they only believe in living life for oneself. Moving ahead, if we look into the statistics of “Masculinity vs. Femininity,” we would be convinced by the figures, as Australian culture promotes success and achievement. It supports the stance that “winner takes all”; therefore, in order to get all, one has to be the perfect one in society (Bright & Cortes, 2019).
This dimension of the cultural model somehow also supports the stance of individualistic culture. When a particular individual tends to grow independently while taking care of his or her own interests and growth, he or she is more likely to achieve more in comparison to an individual from a collectivist culture. Therefore, the statistics depicted here are more or less accurate from my viewpoint. I would like to end this report by highlighting that Australia is a country with an individualistic culture while following normative values at the same time. Australians are rigid in their beliefs but tend to adopt modern techniques in order to bring betterment, flourishing and success to their society! (Hofstede Insights, n.d.)
References
Hofstede Insights. (n.d.). Country comparison tool. https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison-tool
Conerly, T. R., Holmes, K., & Tamang, A. L. (2021). Introduction to sociology 3e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-3e/pages/1-introduction
Bright, D. S., & Cortes, A. H. (2019). Principles of management. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/principles-management/pages/1-introduction
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