Uncertainty Avoidance Masculinity vs Femininity
Dec 31, 2015
Uncertainty Avoidance
Uncertainty avoidance refers to the extent to which a culture feels threatened by ambiguous, uncertain situations and tries to avoid them by establishing more structure
Uncertainty about the future is a basic fact of human life with which we try to cope through the domains of technology, law and religion. In organizations these take the form of technology, rules, and rituals.
(Hofstede, 1980,1984)
The tolerance of uncertainty and dealing with uncertainty are culturally different.
High Uncertainty Avoidance/
Low Uncertainty Avoidance
High Uncertainty avoidance
Low tolerance for ambiguity Avoid uncertainty and disagreement Desire consensus Resist change and feel threatened
by new ideas and processes
Have a high tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity
Believe in accepting and encouragingBelieve in taking risks and trying new thingsDon’t have a strong need to control things,
people and events by clearly defining and categorizing them
(责权模糊)
Low uncertainty avoidance
High Uncertainty Avoidance Organization
More structuring activitiesMore written rulesLarger number of specialistsMore ritual behaviorLower labor turnoverLess ambitious employees
Low Uncertainty Avoidance Organization
Less structuring activitiesless written rulesSmaller number of specialistsLess ritual behaviorHigher labor turnovermore ambitious employees
UA and history, religion
Latin countries Higher UAI
Protestant, catholic protestant mixed, Buddhist countries Lower UAI
Countries with High/Low UAI
Japan 92France 86Spain 86Mexico 82Israel 81Brazil 76
Singapore 8Sweden 29Hongkong 29Great Britain 35Malaysia 36India 40
Case 1 How to solve the problem?In a textile company, two managers were
in conflict.The marketing managers wanted to
accept small orders from fashion companies. Because he thought that if the company filled the small rush orders, then they would get larger orders from the fashion companies.
The production manager disagree. He had the job of changing the dyes in the machines, and he felt the small orders were costing the company too much money, because he had to shut down the machines and clean them before processing each order.
In your opinion, how to solve the problem?
Masculinity
masculinity versus femininity dimension looks at the relationship between gender and work roles.
It indicates the degree to which a culture values such behaviors as assertiveness, achievement, acquisition of wealth or caring for others, social supports and the quality of life.( toughness/tenderness)
Masculinity versus Femininity
In masculine cultures, sex roles are sharply differentiated, and values such as achievement, power, and performance determine cultural ideals.
In feminine cultures, sex roles are less sharply distinguished, and little differentiation is made between men and women in the same job.
Masculinity
Achievement and ambitionOstentatious manliness, with very
specific behaviors and products associated with male behavior
Aggressiveness and assertivenessRespecting the goal of material
acquisition
Masculinity
Achievement is more important than building a long-term relationship
Success is the function of the individual Society is made up of leaders and
followersWhether you are a success or a failure
it is the result of your own actionsBusiness is a more efficient process
than in feminine societies
Masculinity
Men are expected to be strong; they should fight to protect their interests.
Women are expected to be nurturing and sensitive to feelings.
Femininity
Value interpersonal relationshipsModesty, cooperation and tendernessPut quality of life before material
acquisitionActively express concern for the less
fortunateMore reserved and less time-driven
A more feminine future
Technological developmentLower birth rateNon-automatable jobs (such as
service)The threat from the environment
Countries with high/low MI
Japan 95Austria 79Venezuela 73Italy 70Switzerland 70Mexico 69USA 62Hongkong 57
Sweden 5Norway 8Netherlands 14Denmark 16Finland 26Chile 28Portugal 31Thailand 34
Question
Do you think that a country’s social welfare system should protect the weaker members of a society? Or do you think that it is more important that laws and policies reward members of society who are capable?
Question
In the future, what kind of company do you like to work for ? A company with masculine culture or a company with feminine culture?