Order Number |
caqweda7qeqw |
Type of Project |
ESSAY |
Writer Level |
PHD VERIFIED |
Format |
APA |
Academic Sources |
10 |
Page Count |
3-12 PAGES |
What are the important concepts about collectivistic do you need to keep in mind? Perhaps you are on a team that competes globally from that collectivistic culture. What is your behavior and your attitude on that team?
As more Western based companies try to enter the global market, it becomes more and more important to understand the aspects that make up the national culture of foreign countries. Ideally, the global company would need to be able to compare and contrast their own inherent culture with that of the local country and company they are studying. This process has been made easier by Dutch psychologist Geert Hofstede.
Hofstede developed a set of dimensions by which he measured all countries and their national cultures. He believed that each of these dimensions were issues that the society in question needed to come to terms with, in order to organize itself (Hofstede, n/d). One of the most widely distinguishable distinctions between cultures is that of individualism and collectivism. Although each of the dimensions plays a key part in the structure of the collective organizational environment, individualism and collectivism gets to the heart of how the employees will react and what they will expect.
Individualistic cultures are driven by an internal desire to separate from others, defined by personal goals, traits and characteristics. The United States ranks high on the scale in individualism. The citizens of this country are self-reliant and value their freedoms and personal independence (Kahn, 2015). Though established on a bedrock of community, the country’s values and fundamental beliefs shifted as identified in the nation’s decrees and laws. American organizational environments became more independent, developing a siloed mentality. Over the years, as more cultures begin to integrate into the workforce a shift in the organizational environment has taken place. Corporate environments are becoming increasingly interdependent as their networks become more globally linked (Astley & Fombrun, 1983).
This interdependent nature is indicative of collectivist cultures. Where individuals connect their values and beliefs into the community and see themselves through their relationships. Most third-world countries are deemed to be a collectivist culture. The islands of the Philippines are a prime example. Scoring a meager 32 on Hofstede’s scale of individualism it shows that the country has a long-term commitment to the group mentality (Hofstede Insights, 2020). Organizational environments influenced by collectivist cultures will focus on the relationship, decisions are based on the group, and loyalty is an integral part of the equation (Ilac, 2011). With the differences between individualistic and collectivist cultures in mind, the impact of classic sociocultural theories can be revealed.
Classic theorists like Marx, Durkheim and Weber foretold of the effect on organizational environments that social values and structures would make. The social inequities identified by Karl Marx in his theory of conflict are visible today in the individualistic capital American culture. Some corporate cultures are still perceived to be benefiting off the labor of its workers. While others take a more bureaucratic approach to equality as Weber suggested in his theories. As leaders learn and adopt multiple cultural frames and apply them to relevant situations or circumstances, one begins to see the works of Durkheim. A collective consciousness develops with shared beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that are common to the group.