the Koreas, Japan, the US & Hofstede

(part one)

Abstract

   This represents a compare / contrast of Hofstede's cultural dimensions vis-à-vis behaviors of managers in the Koreas, Japan and the US.

Introduction
   In the late 1970s, the Dutch organizational sociologist Geert Hofstede, began his exploration of behavioral patterns in somewhat simplistic terms; based on country. While aware of what might be construed as viable arguments, he acknowledged the flexibility inherent in cultures (e.g., differences from region to region, etc.), noting the value of organizing as objectively as possible what we can. With an eye, in particular, on differences from a business perspective, he created quantifiable metrics to weigh differences in five significant arenas: power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, and long-term orientation. His construct is so thorough that the majority of current multicultural academic research tends to reference it.
   As valuable as Hofstede’s work may be, as valuable as any armature or scaffolding may be to a larger sculpture, other works are included to expand and give meaning the larger picture.
   Another consideration, useful for the reader, is to avoid the presumption and point out that at this writing there are still two Koreas. Most current work, including Hofstede, understandably leaves North Korea out of the picture. Nonetheless, there has been some work developed on the north, and there is an effort to that end; to acknowledge North Korea.