Cultural Dimension

Please compare and contrast these two Trompenaars cultural dimensions with the single Hofstede dimension of Individualism (these two Trompenaars dimensions are SUBSETS of the Hofstede Individualism dimension)."

Hofstede's dimension of individualism main objective was to undertake an evaluation of work values whereas Trompenaars cultural dimensions delve into behavioral preferences in leisure and work situations. Trompenaars approach is oriented towards seeking out what people are thinking in their minds as well as what is right before their sight. It gives us the behavioral framework and logical organization in relationship aspects such as individualism versus collectivism, universalism versus particularism, neutral versus affective and achievement versus ascription.

On the other hand, Hofstede details for us particular values that are contained in people and that ultimately affect their behaviors. This gives us a clear difference that Trompenaars approach bases its investigations on the superficial aspects of person's culture with clear indication of how actions, choices and plans are made whereas Hofstede's dimension takes a deep view of a person's culture to show us what is in a person that brings out a particular actions or behavioral patterns.

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A close look at the comparison between the two dimensions shows some similarities. It is notable that there is close similarities between Hofstede's collectivism versus individualism and Trompenaars's communitarianism versus individualism. The two approaches emphasizes on seeking the rationale behind a person's behavioral patterns.

Further, achievement versus description has got some similarities with Hofstede's power distance index. One approach takes into consideration the motivating factors of an individual to move from one low level class to a high class whereas the other takes a valuation of degrees attached to low class or high class lifestyle levels as well as other secondary traits.

For instance, customers can be evaluated better with high power distance especially when making reference to products of high standards like luxury products whereas Trompenaars index can be used when trying to sell products bearing low cost or rather cheap products. Therefore, it is advisable to use the combination of the two indices since the two complement each other.

Upon closer evaluation of various cultures, one can easily arrive to a conclusion that the result obtain by the two approaches may sometime be counter logical to some degree. For instance, Saudi Arabia culture is built on hierarchical lines as advanced by Trompenaars whereas Hofstede's sees it as extensively lower especially when it comes to power distance.

In a couple sentences each, please explain where and why you would place yourself on either Individualism or Communitarianism (Ch 6) and on Affective or Neutral (Ch 7), and why.

I am from Saudi Arabian culture and I will therefore subscribe to the underpinnings of my upbringing. The Saudi Arabian Kingdom culture is more of a communitarianism that individualism. I prefer to place myself under communitarianism since it takes into consideration the collective affairs and needs of the community, something which is crucial in this modern day society.

For instance, a communitarian society may provide people with food, water, or even home if one work. This is an indication that everyone takes the responsibility of running the society such that power spreads horizontally and not vertically as in the case of individualism.

Secondly, I will also place myself in an affective culture. This is because I prefer a culture that one can easily express emotions and let others known what he or she is feeling. Further, affective culture brings clarity on what is behind person's emotions contrary neutral culture which no one can make an expression of what they are thinking hence can result in misunderstanding and confusion.

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