Theseus Mosaic, unknown artist, 300 AD – 400 AD
source
Source: Hofstede, Geert, et.al. (2010) Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind
A leadership/management reflection: My favorite line in all the book states that the most important management skill is to utilize strengths of the local culture. Don’t make people adapt to you; support them with the resources they need to accomplish the mission. On point.
An anthropology reflection: Let’s go to the EEA (Environment Of Evolutionary Adaptedness) and think about cultures in a poor resource ecology. I bet there’s a lack of power distance since everyone needs to contribute in physical ways to survive. This reminds me of the short ethnology Eating Christmas in the Kalahari – a must-read in understanding equality in hunter-gatherers. Also, when I studied traditional and modern warfare, I found power distance greatly increases with the agricultural revolution and the rise of state armies. More resources and more protection means less for others to do on a daily basis and frees them to pursue other whims such as art and politics.
A tiny, insignificant experiment: I thought I would try a little experiment after finishing the book. First, I thought of a basic hypothesis for each dimension as related to the COVID-19 pandemic outcomes. Then I randomly selected two countries for each cultural dimension that reside on different points of the spectrums (I actually did a pretty good job selecting countries from what I remember from the reading). Finally, I compared the countries to their current COVID-19 data concerning cases and deaths (collected 01 June 2020).
Disclaimers: It should be pointed out this is nowhere near a representative or generalizable sample. I understand some COVID-19 data may not reported correctly. And, I also retain the rights to be wrong and the right to be corrected.
Pro tip: If you haven’t been exposed to the cultural dimensions, or need a refresher, there is a good overview on Hofstede-Insights.com.
A power distance hypothesis: Higher power distance may mean more control over the population and less cases and deaths.
Sample conclusion: Supported.
| Dimension | Country (Score) | Pandemic cases/deaths per 100,000 | Country (Score) | Pandemic cases/deaths per 100,000 | Pandemic results |
| Power distance | U.K. (35) | 405/57 | Mexico (81) | 65/7 | Mexico has fared better |
A collectivism vs. individualism hypothesis: Collectivism countries should care more about the group wellbeing leading to less cases/death.
Sample conclusion: Nulled.
| Dimension | Country (Score) | Pandemic cases/deaths per 100,000 | Country (Score) | Pandemic cases/deaths per 100,000 | Pandemic results |
| Ind. vs. Col. | Mexico (30) | 65/7 | New Zealand (79) | 31/<1 | N.Z. has fared better |
A femininity vs. masculinity hypothesis: Feminine countries may be more concerned with healthcare and have not only the infrastructure to help those affected but would also follow experts.
Sample conclusion: Nulled
| Dimension | Country (Score) | Pandemic cases/deaths per 100,000 | Country (Score) | Pandemic cases/deaths per 100,000 | Pandemic results |
| Fem. vs. Mas. | Iraq (70) | 18/<1 | Sweden (5) | 371/43 | Iraq has fared better |
An uncertainty avoidance hypothesis: Countries with higher UA will respond well unless they are averse to change (or science, etc.).
Sample conclusion: Supported
| Dimension | Country (Score) | Pandemic cases/deaths per 100,000 | Country (Score) | Pandemic cases/deaths per 100,000 | Pandemic results |
| UA | Ireland (35) | 1,652/34 | Japan (92) | 899/<1 | Japan has fared better |
A long-term orientation vs. short-term orientation hypothesis: Countries with LTO will have less cases/deaths due to focus on the future.
Sample conclusion: Supported
| Dimension | Country (Score) | Pandemic cases/deaths per 100,000 | Country (Score) | Pandemic cases/deaths per 100,000 | Pandemic results |
| LTO vs. STO | Germany (83) | 8,511/10 | Thailand (32) | 57/>1 | Thailand has fared better |
An indulgence vs. restraint hypothesis: Countries will more restraint will have less cases/death due to abilities to deny themselves external pleasures (e.g. shopping, dining, etc.).
Sample conclusion: Supported
| Dimension | Country (Score) | Pandemic cases/deaths per 100,000 | Country (Score) | Pandemic cases/deaths per 100,000 | Pandemic results |
| Ind. vs. Res. | Albania (15) | 40/1 | U.K. (69) | 405/57 | Albania has fared better |
More on Sources:
https://www.hofstede-insights.com/ (scroll down the page and type in different countries to compare their dimensions – super neat!)
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/world/coronavirus-maps.html (scroll down and search for each countries current pandemic statistics on cases and deaths)
Let me know your thoughts; please comment below!
Jacqueline F. Casey. Gaming and Life Lessons. 