A theoretical view of cultural dimensions
Introduction
The cultural dimension is a critical factor in determining human beings’ co-existence in Society. Culture indicates how human beings relate to one another and how they interact and change ideas. Culture are features that define a particular and group of people, language, belief, customs, social activities, and style of dressing (Kim,2017). Culture differs across all communities and societies, and it is common to find a community’s culture being another community’s taboo that is punishable wrongdoing. Therefore in this research paper will be focusing on how culture affects different activities in different dimensions in Society.
Definition of Hofestede᾿s cultural dimensions
In defining cultural aspects in the line of hofestede᾿s, the following scholars conducted studies in an attempt to define the term. Concerning Maslow’s theory of the hierarchy of human need Welzel, (2013) linked the cultural dimension to the human mind. When human beings feel insecure and freedom deprived, they tend to give security a priority. When they feel more secure, they put all their efforts in search of democracy because freedom will help them think creatively through reaction. Therefore social transformations that twist human life from threats to the source of opportunities and freedom nurture their changes in priorities from survival activities to more valuable activities.
Cultural dimension refers to the study of cultures at some levels, which includes the regional level, a societal level, and the national level. As cited by Patel (2017), cultural traditions have impacted some problems, for example, neglecting other factors that affect individual behavior and putting more effort into cultural dimensions. In addressing cultural aspects, challenges posed by culture can get addressed through conducting research and studies of customs and traditions. Research makes people innovative, thereby coming up with solutions that could not have been met without research studies hence neutralizing problems brought by culture dimensions. The cultural aspect relates to the effects of the societal environment in the human world, and it is necessary to put on sustainability measures to help curb this menace in different firms in human Society. Culture plays an essential role in addressing how other factors affect the social world in that all the other factors affecting human life get checked on, and sustainability initiatives tabled down (Wiley,2018). It is essential to address cultural implications in coming up with sustainability measures to help promote significant societal and environmental development.
Cultural dimensions are in connection with institutional indicators on the different aspects of culture, ranging from (social co-existence, economic participation, human creativity, and cultural traditions) depending on what the organization is handling. Even when the importance of culture is majorly appreciated, most of the indicators above have got no strong foundations of implementation (Ortega, 2017). Cultural values can be a huge challenge to an organization’s success, primarily when, for example, the organization operates outside a community’s cultural standards; it will be viewed to be evil. Based on this research work, that culture is not being seen as a menace but a resource.
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A theoretical view of cultural dimensions
Theory of evolutionary emancipation, this theory states that for human beings to get transformed and meet their values in this case, security and freedom, there should be no political influences. There should be no aspects of democracy because these values are linked to individualization and are self-driven (Welzel, 2013). Therefore evolution has subjected humans to thinking of life independent activities.
The interpretive theory, it focuses on the approaches that declare the world meaningful and promotes individualization and self-experiences. Culture is not objective oriented, rather interpretive frameworks, to individual levels shared by a group of people with universal social values (Patel, 2016). Through interpretive approaches, those with senior positions and valuable opinions considered in the giving of advice.
In the theory of societal individualism, societal features can influence the individual mental status and cultural values in Society. Cultural dimensions of individualism will help shape personal activities and thinking as they will help dictate the type of resources an individual costs (Wiley, 2018). Critical thinking is essential for a normal human being, and it is during this particular time that the person can make productive decisions with their lives. Societal individualism will help individuals in decision making while in the Society hence expanding their understanding of cross-cultural dimensions and in the selection of what is useful to them.
The theory of masculinity, this theory focuses on how Society views men and women and the division of gender roles. Community plays a crucial role in the creation of attitudes towards gender-based inequalities and sexual behaviors (Ortega, 2017). Society should view both males and females to be equal and eliminate all forms of gender-based discrimination for a healthy co-existence in the community. Therefore in addressing masculinity, it is accompanied by the following factors wealth, material possession, and roles.
Development and history of the dimension
Cultural dimensions originated in (1967-1973) as a result of analyzing societal culture on the values of its members. The original theory proposed four aspects of cultural values in the Society that were individualism-collectivism, masculinity-feminism, power distance, and uncertainty avoidance. Independent research carried out in Hong Kong China led to the addition of the fifth dimension called long term orientation in 1987. The sixth dimension later emerged called indulgence. His work cited by many researchers in the quest to give a precise meaning on cultural aspects. Through data collection in Eastern Taiwan, Western Culture, the United States, this research has re-examined and updated the work of Hofstedes᾿ (1984, 2001) cultural dimensions in the two cultures by (Fernandez et al., 1997). Therefore theories that tend to explain culture should also be updated.
The Current Status of the dimensions
The current six aspects of culture are as illustrated below. The essence of power distance explains how power has promoted inequality in Society, in the lower population level of the community (Khan, 2014). Those with power are respected and have got high ranks in Society. Low power level encourages organizational institutions to advocate for power distribution.
Individualism vs. Collectivism, it pointed Society contains different groups of populations the distinct perceptions. It insists on individual potentials and achievements and how others can influence an individual (Khan, 2014). Therefore the spirit of togetherness is very vital in Society.
Uncertainty-avoidance helps show the level of vagueness is tolerated in Society and how unknown things are dealt with in the Society. The uncertainty avoidance index considers the extent to which uncertainty and ambiguity tolerated. This dimension believes how unfamiliar situations and unexpected events solved. A high level of unpredictability is a result of the low level of tolerating fake things while a low level of uncertainty prescribed by high tolerance of false events (Khan, 2014). Therefore it is essential to minimize unknown elements in the Society through strict rules.
Masculinity vs. Feminism, Society is responsible for the gender inequalities and description of behavioral standards between men and women. Masculinity can get associated with gender roles, societal achievements, and the amount of wealth (Khan, 2014). It is very vital to ensure gender balance in Society to help eliminate hatred between men and women.
Long-Term Orientation vs. Short-Term Orientation; this dimension is beneficial in the determinacy of how Society views its segments. Long term orientations are linked to the future goals of the community, while the short term helps in the achievement of the laid long term missions (Khan, 2014). To ensure long term growth of the Society, it is essential to focus on societal tasks. Long-term orientation emphasizes persistence, perseverance, and long-term growth.
Indulgence vs. Restraint, it majors on how the Society is organized to fulfill its desires and how it can control the pressure posed by the population in it. Tolerance shows how people enjoy freedom and privileges, while Restraint shows how Society controls freedom through social norms (Khan, 2014). Society should not restrict the freedom of the people who live in it; this will lead to people opposing societal norms at various points.
The Links between dimensions and contexts
Power and Politics are two interrelated fields politics create potential through the election of leaders to represent the more significant part of the Society. The following are produced by power and lousy governance favoritism, racism, nepotism, and even inequitable allocation of resources (Henry, 2018). Therefore politics creates mistrusts, dishonesty, exploitation, which are an indicator of the breakage of societal norms.
Individualism and Politics, individualism is all about being selfish and selfless; in other words, working to meet personal needs. Politicians once elected usually cut their circles small to fit only their family members and those that closely linked to them; they isolate those who chose them, in this case, the voters (Yoon, 2010). Democracy is essential in promoting societal growth and cultural management.
Uncertainty avoidance and politics, after being elected politicians tend to avoid those who voted them for various political posts. In doing so, they fake developments plan and submit vague documents in covering their uncertainties (Byrne, Spaliara & Tsoukas, 2015). In this way, they break cultural values and societal standards hence constituting corruption malpractices. It is imperative to check on how politicians operate to prevent them from breaking cultural values in societal institutions.
Feminism and Politics, feminist approaches tend to place gender as an independent category of analysis. Feminism approaches aim a reducing bias, gender equality, and advocating for good lives among people regardless of sex. Feminism is considered a political practice that helps in the transformation of civilization approaches to people’s knowledge that will help them fight for justice and fairness while being undermined by their leaders, in this case, politicians (Agenjo-Calderon & Galvez-Munoz,2019). Feminist approaches advocated for a free human society where everyone can enjoy their privileges without being shortchanged by politicians.
Long and short term orientations and politics, political acuities divide Society into parts of the ruling class and the voters. The community has got goals, missions, and vision. This is maintained and reached through the guidance of competent politicians with the peoples at heart. To fulfill societal expectations, politicians must give societal needs a priority (Zogjani & Raci, 2015). It is essential to have missions and goals as this will help promote hard work by all societal members to foster cultural development.
Indulgence and politics, cultural activities differ across states, and this results in the need to bring people of diverse groups together. Politics is a way of bringing people together since it’s a collection of ideologies and policies that tend to advocate for people’s needs (Jie & Jing). Cultural challenges will help unite people towards fighting this challenge, and the best solution in mind will go through ethical, competent, and accountable politicians to help sustain cultural development.
The Implications
Public politics will help promote civic engagement in policymaking and implementation. The following factors linked to public engagement, diverse cultures affect policies on environmental participation. It was essential to compare the ecological involvement of various political contexts, as illustrated by the European Environmental Agency and the United Nations Environment Program (Dang, 2018). Public participation in the formulation of policies is an essential factor.
Social classes bring Society, inequality in societal existence in such a way that Society divides into segments, high, middle, and lower categories. A good example is in Sri Lanka, where people are divided into hierarchical arrangements based on their tribal ethnicity. Unequal distribution of power creates inequalities in resource distribution, thereby leading to disunity is the Society (Wijewardana & Wimalasiri, 2017).
Individuals, people always tend to sacrifice their time, resources, energy, capital, health to benefit others in the Society. These behavioral characters are known as the pro-social behaviors, which involves, communal sharing, charity works, helping of one another, and doing volunteer jobs in Society (Zwick & Fletcher, 2014). Individuals benefit a lot from group interactions and communication within their cultural dimensions.
How intercultural affects individuals, Society and public
Promotes the development of human behaviors while interacting among the cultural groups, and most importantly, forms part of social development is as a result of contact with their expanding populations. Cultural contact help promote cultural and psychological development. When dealing with cultural activities, various societal values and institutions are altered, while in the psychological perspective, there is a change in how an individual thinks or behaves. Individuals find it hard to adapt to several societal changes, but with time they get assimilated and integrated into the system (Sam & Berry, 2010). Intercultural exchange is a very vital component of the human world as through it, and people get to respect each other by observing their cultural needs and standards.
Generally, Hofestede᾿s cultural dimension explains very well and clear how culture forms a different society. Human beings interact with one another differently based on their aesthetic aspects. That culture has got a more significant effect on the business, health, politics, academics, and even the environment. Therefore Governments should copy these dimensions in ensuring that the human race peacefully interacts with each other by respecting the various cultural values that define a society. People feel more valued when their cultural norms are valued and followed by everyone within their landmarks. It is essential to promote the cultures of all communities without any forms of discrimination.
