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Essay / Application of Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Theory in the United States and India
Hofstede's dimensions that differ most between the United States and India are power distance, individualism, long-term orientation and indulgence. Power distance is the extent to which the least powerful members of a country's institutions and organizations expect and accept that power is unevenly distributed. The United States scored 40 in the power distance dimension, while India scored 70. A score of 70 indicates an appreciation of hierarchy, which is exemplified in Indian society. Indian society is a hierarchical caste system that denotes a specific niche in the society you are born into. For a society like this to function, there must be an ability to "accept that power is distributed unequally", otherwise individuals would not remain trapped in their individual caste. Furthermore, as the power dimension explains, they accept unequal rights between those privileged in power and those lower down in society. Indian society has a top-down structure in which an employee always has a supervisor and is always monitored. In The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga, the narrator, Balram, applies for a job as a driver for a man named Mr. Ashok. He asks Balram, "'What's your last name again?' 'Halwai' 'Halwai… which caste is this, high or low?' » (Adiga 53). This again shows the unequal distribution of power in India, causing their high score in the power distance dimension. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Individualism is referred to as the degree of interdependence that a society maintains among its members. The United States scores 91 in this dimension, while India scores only 48. India lacks individualism, which is replaced by collectivism. This mindset makes Indian individuals more likely to share ideas or be open to working in groups. In The White Tiger, Balram explains where he gets his name from. He first took the name "Munna", or boy, because everyone was too busy to name him. Finally, he was named by his first teacher saying “Munna? It’s not a real name… It will be Balram” (Adiga 10). This clearly shows the lack of individualism in India as something as important as a name can remain ignored for so long. Collectivism trumps individualism in India, resulting in a below-average score in the individualism dimension of 48. The long-term orientation dimension is another one on which India scores higher. high, 51, than the United States, 26. This dimension describes how each society must maintain certain connections with its own past while facing the challenges of the present and future. India's high score suggests a lack of punctuality in working with individuals, as well as their tolerance of other religious views. Additionally, these companies tend to respond well to ongoing changes and do not need a specific plan. When working in Indian society, one can note whether deadlines are strict or not, or be open to changing plans frequently when new ideas arise. The indulgence dimension refers to the extent to which people try to control their desires and impulses. India's low score, 26, in this dimension suggests that the society is exercising restraint. Actions are restricted by social norms, especially compared to Americans. The United States scored 68 in.