Key idea: Whether people work harder or less hard in a group can depend on their culture.
Cultural dimensions
1
Individualism and collectivism
Is the self defined alone, or through the group?
2
Power distance
How far people accept that power is unequal.
3
Uncertainty avoidance
How far people prefer clear rules to ambiguity.
Individualism and collectivism · Power distance · Uncertainty avoidance
Earley (1989) gave US and Chinese managers work tasks, alone or in a group. US managers did less in the group, social loafing; Chinese managers did not.
What HL adds: The culture extension: Earley measured collectivism in each person rather than assuming it from nationality, a stronger test of a cultural dimension.
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Key idea: Cross-cultural studies link collectivism to group behaviour; country labels can hide individuals.
Strengths
- Direct comparison of cultures
- Collectivism measured, not assumed
- Same pattern for conformity
Limitations
- Managers in a work task
- Individuals differ within countries
- Tasks may mean different things
Culture also changes over time: conformity fell in the USA between the 1950s and 1990s (Bond and Smith).
Watch out: A dimension is a tendency. Do not use it as a stereotype.