Table of Contents
This paper compares Argentina and Australia using Hofstede’s six dimensions of culture: power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism, masculinity, long-term orientation, and indulgence. These dimensions demonstrate the profoundly entrenched values of diverse cultures, which affect how people with diverse cultural backgrounds behave and how those people possibly behave when placed in a work-related context. Hofstede (1980, p. 5) defined culture as ‘the mind’s shared programing that distinguishes between one category of people and members of one group from another.’
Overview of the Dimensions
Power distance –shows the notch at which fewer powerful adherents of the society acknowledge that distribution of power occurs unequally (Hofstede and Bond, 1988).
Uncertainty avoidance –this aspect designates the notch at which members of society are not at ease with vagueness and uncertainty (Hofstede, 1980).
Individualism –this element attention is on the question whether members of the society need to remain in a carefully joined network or prefer being left alone to look after themselves (Hofstede and McCrae, 2004).
Masculinity –this dimension focuses on people’s inclination of accomplishment, bravery, confidence, and material reward for achieving success (Hofstede and Bond, 1988).
Long-term orientation –this dimension defines the predisposition of the society in search of virtue (Hofstede and McCrae, 2004).
Indulgence –this dimension spins around the extent to which people can use control over their needs and urges (Hofstede et al., 1990).
Comparison of Argentina and Australia scores
Blue (Argentina) Purple (Australia)
By exploring the Australian culture from the six-dimension model perspective, one can get an insight of the profound drivers of the nation’s culture relative to that of Argentina. Also, by exploring the Argentina culture from the six-dimension model perspective, one can as well have an insight of the deep drivers on Argentina’s culture relative to that of Australia.
Power Distance
In this dimension, Argentina scored high (49) compared to Australia score (36). As discussed earlier, this dimension focuses on the fact people are not equal. Status in Argentina is very important just like appearance. The valuable watch, the dark attire, and the expensive hotel all enable understanding of power and facilitate the entrée. Unlike Argentina, in Australia, status and appearance are all just for convenience. Everyone knows his or her place.
Individualism
In this dimension, Australia score was high (90) while that of Argentina was low (46). This shows that Australia is far an extremely individualist culture than Argentina. In other words, people look after themselves and their families more in Australia than in Argentina. This means, in the business domain, in Argentina there exists a strict division between work and private life while in Australia, everyone is expected to be self-reliant.
Masculinity
Australia as well scores high in this dimension (61) when compared to Argentina (56). This means that the Australian culture is driven by success, competition, and achievement. However, considering the relative small difference in the scores, it can be argued that Argentina also reflects masculine elements more than female elements. But, Australians are more proud of their achievements in life unlike Argentina’s who have strong need to stand out and excel regardless of the consequences.
Uncertainty avoidance
In this dimension, Argentina scores high (86) while Australia scores intermediate (51). This shows that Argentina’s societies are in extreme need of rules and elaborate legal systems in order to be able to structure their life. There is widespread corruption in Argentina than in Australia. In Australia, laws are strong and the people in the societies follow them. This issue especially in Argentina can be addressed by dictating additional rules.
Long-term orientation
In this dimension, both countries have very low scores, Argentina with (20) and Australia (21). This means both countries have normative cultures. people in this cultures respect their traditions and their focus is on attaining quick results.
Indulgence
Both countries portray high scores of 62 and 71 respectively (Argentina and Australia) which means people in both these countries try to control their impulses and desires. These people have positive attitude and have a higher degree of importance on leisure time.
How cultural differences between Argentina and Australia affect work relationships
Adler (2002) notes cultural differences is when nationality, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, and language are represented within a society. Nonetheless, cultural differences between Argentina and Australia affect work relationships in that it is impossible to place culturally diverse employees from both countries in similar group to attain goals with collaboration and mutual effort because their differences in opinions can obstruct the growth of unity.
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- Hofstede, G. & Bond, M.H. (1988). The Confucius connection: from cultural roots to economic growth. Organizational Dynamics, 16(4), 4-21
- Hofstede, G. & McCrae, R.R. (2004). Culture and personality revisited: Linking traits and dimensions of culture. Cross-cultural Research, 38(1), 52-88.
- Hofstede, G. (1980). Culture’s Consequences: International Differences in Work-Related Values. Beverly Hills CA: Sage.
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