Hofstede Australia

The following academic paper highlights the up-to-date issues and questions of Hofstede Australia. This sample provides just some ideas on how this topic can be analyzed and discussed.

Hofstede Geert Hofstede’s five cultural dimensions are individualistic vs. collectivism, power distance, quality of life vs. quantity of life, uncertainty avoidance and time orientation. Power Distance The term of power distance in the Hofstede’s framework means measurement of power in an institution and organization being distributed where the society able to accept (Bergman et al.

2006, 141). Both Australia and Sweden has a low power distance in their society. Low power distance countries tend to work in a decentralization environment and have greater power in decision-making (Lere and Portz, 2005).

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With decentralization, managers are more independent in the development of a company with leadership quality instead of just position and status (Lere and Portz, 2005). Australia and Sweden organization tend to be flatter and team-oriented structure to have better communication between subordinates and their bosses (Business Culture, n.

d). Therefore opinions and decision-making are encouraged to voice out and information are easier to be pass around in the company. Therefore in Sweden matrix organization is common when there are any projects coming up (Business Culture, n. d). Uncertainty Avoidance

Uncertainty avoidance means a measurement of tolerance risk and behaviour where the society’s culture able to accept (Bergman et al. 2006, 141). Both Australia and Sweden has low uncertainty avoidance. Countries with low uncertainty avoidance will have less concern on uncertainty and ambiguity and focus more on tolerance with each other (Lere and Portz, 2005). There will be more risk taking and less unwanted arguments. In this society, there will be less rule-oriented and would be able to adapt to changes of environment (Lere and Portz, 2005). Swedish are more willing to take risk than any other countries (Business culture, n. ). When judging a person, their performance is the greater importance in a working place (Business culture, n. d). Therefore equal amount of men and women are normally seen in high position (Business culture, n. d). While in Australia, they have a more relax and laid-back culture, where they will not fear the future and walk towards it instead (Bassett, 2004). This shows Australia prefer to move forward rather than being stop by an obstacle. Moreover, Australians believe in their legal rights and documents are normally interpreted literally due to their loyalty towards British Common Law (Bassett, 2004). Time Orientation

Quality Vs Quantity Essay

In Australia, a culture with a short term orientation values such as maintaining personal stability or happiness and living for the present which look in the short run. Australian people prefer to follow clear rules and procedures. They prefer to work on one task at a time and may feel frustrated when other competing tasks distract that focus. (Robert et al. 2004) Furthermore in short term, the old once is easily kicked off and the new once can easily come in no matter in what industry. Where as in Sweden, they are in the medium time orientation. (Clearly Cultural n. d. ) For example, in Australian if two officers agreed to meet at 2. 0pm, they really mean to be there by 2. 30pm sharp or even earlier. So promptness in personal habits is important to them. Individualism Individualism is “the degree to which people in a country prefers to act as individuals rather than as member of groups” (Robbins and Decenzo 2004, p. 48). Individualism refers to the “strength of the ties people have to others within the community” (Mind Tools, 2008). In a high individualism country, there is a loose connection with people and there is also a lack of interpersonal connection and little sharing of responsibilities, beyond family and perhaps a few close friends.

Sweden and Australia scored highly under this category. “This individuality is reinforced in Australian’s daily lives and must be considered when traveling and doing business in their Country. Privacy is considered the cultural norm and attempts at personal ingratiating may meet with rebuff” (ITIM International, 2003). To communicate better in an individualistic culture, as an individual you are expected to work on your own and take initiatives. Business environment will be less reliant on relationship and personal contacts which will separate business and personal life.

Coworkers or subordinates will expect to have a chance to work on projects or solve issues independently. It is common for people in this culture to try to stand out from the rest during meetings, presentations, or even during group work. As for Malaysian, they are less individualistic. They work more in groups to get the best outcome so that they can fulfill the mission that they want to achieve. Quantity Vs Quality of Life In Australia, most of the Australians are actually scored high in quantity of life compared to quality of life. They are characterized by assertiveness and materialism.

For example, Australians tend to follow each other. This happens because of the stability of Australian institutions and the strong economy. For example, since the beginning of 2003 there has been a boom in the housing market, in every place everyone is talking about houses. So, this may happen to the car industry too. Australia is considered one of the most competitive nations on earth (Yes Australia n. d. ) Because of this stability, Australians tend to buy more by following the trend. But there is a partial place in Australia where quality of life is high where people are friendly and helpful. Recommendation

As we are a Swedish base company trying to expand our business in Australia, employees and managers from Sweden should learn how to communicate better with Australians. In the power distance dimension, we know that both Australia and Sweden is rank low. The Swedish managers should try to introduce him or her self in an informal manner. Decision making should also involve others. Australians and Swedish are more towards individualism. Employees from Sweden should learn how to work on their own and take more initiatives. They should also be prepared that business environment are less reliant on relationship and personal contact.

As for uncertainty avoidance, Australian and Swedish scored low. This means that Swedish should learn how to be more flexible or open in the approach to new ideas. Agreed plans should be realized quickly. Swedish employee should also learn how to execute their task on their own with only guidelines from superior. Swedish are more medium term oriented as Australians are more to short term oriented. Swedish should expect to live by the same standards and rules which we create. Swedish should also be respectful to others and should not hesitate to introduce necessary changes.