UNCERTAINTY AVOIDANCE

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Dr. Geert Hofstede

DIMENTIONS

Power Distance Individualism Masculinity Uncertainty Avoidance

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Uncertainty avoidance

Uncertainty avoidance deals with a societys tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity; it ultimately refers to mans search for Truth. It indicates to what extent a culture programs its members to feel either uncomfortable or comfortable in unstructured situations..
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Unstructured situations are novel, unknown, surprising, and different from usual. Uncertainty avoiding cultures try to minimize the possibility of such situations by strict laws and rules, safety and security measures, and on the philosophical and religious level by a belief in absolute Truth; there can only be one Truth and we have it.
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HUA countries

Greece Portugal Japan Argentina

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Research findings of HUA

Employees want managers to share information; clearly define issues Education allows people to reduce uncertainty Clear goals, rules and vision should be provided Innovation is difficult Precision and punctuality valued Belief in experts and expertise is

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consequences

1. Values Statement necessary but not powerful 2. Code of Conduct should be explicit; explain consequences 3. Ethics Program should be rulesbased 4. Whistle blowing procedures must be codified and whistle blowers overtly protected and rewarded.

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LUA countries

Singapore Hong Kong Denmark Great Britain Ireland India Sweden South Africa

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Research findings of LUA

Can accept lack of certainty that comes with new information Consultative management style May embrace freedom and avoid responsibility Clear boundaries needed Self-managed teams can work Intelligent layperson (generalists) 4/11/12 common sense are trusted. and

consequences

Values Statement readily accepted Usefulness of Code of Conduct should be emphasized Ethics Program can be value-based Whistle-blowing can be expected if encouraged Communication can acknowledge gray areas; should discuss limits of accountability 4/11/12

BASIC TRAITS OF HIGH/LOW UNCERTAINTY AVOIDANCE

HUA LUA Believe that the fewer rules the better Tolerate generalization Tolerate deviance Seek individual

Have more formal rules Prefer details, specific plans Less tolerant of deviant ideas Consensus seeking 4/11/12

Geert Hofstede's dimensions analysis can assist the business person or traveller in better understanding the intercultural differences within regions and between counties.

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THANK YOU

Culture is more often a source of conflict than of synergy. Cultural differences are a nuisance at best and often a disaster." - Dr. Geert Hofstede

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