Geert Hofstede's Five Cultural Challenges Of Canada And China

The purpose of this essay is to determine the challenges that an employee of a company would face if they were to begin work in an entirely different country and culture from their own. Based on Geert Hofstede's five cultural dimensions, we can see what makes each country different, and how employees would have to adapt to working in a different country. First in the essay, Hofstede's theory will be discussed briefly. Next, two countries, Canada and China, will be compared in regards of the five cultural dimensions, and we can take a look at how employees and operations are run in each country, based on the dimensions. After by looking at the table data, we can see the comparisons of Canada and China about the cultural adaptations a Canadian …show more content…
Now we will look at each country more closely, to see their cultural values. Canada has a low power distance, which means they depend on the power hierarchy for convenience. Managers and supervisors are easily accessible, and use participative leadership styles. Canada is also a individualist country. Every citizen and worker is expected to be individual people, and care for themselves. We live in loose knit societies, where everyone is expected to work independently and look after themselves. A working individualist society might only work for themselves, and not rely on others to make decisions. Canada is characterized as a moderately masculine society. The culture values hard work and achievement, but Canadians also balance work and personal life, to produce a better quality of life, like a feminine society. Canada has a mid-level uncertainty avoidance. Canadians accept new ideas, technology and businesses, but are also rule and law oriented. Canada is a low term orientation society. Canada accepts change, and wants to achieve quick effective results in business. China has mostly far different values from Canada culturally. China is a collectivist, interdependent culture. People act in interest of the group and not themselves. China also has a high power distance, they believe inequalities amongst people is acceptable. There is no relationship between high and low power individuals, and citizens are heavily influenced by their authority. China similar to Canada, is a masculine society, but they will sacrifice leisure activities for work. China also has a low uncertainty avoidance, they will accept change and are adaptable ambiguity. Finally, China has a high long term orientation, the citizens have a strong work ethic, and believe that long term rewards are in store for hard working