GEERT HOFSTEDECultural dimensions of India

"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

Presented by:PGDM-IB (2009-11) Group–2

Harshvardhan DabhiSarang GaikwadRifat AhmedAditee ThaleAnshu ParikhRaunak Jaiswal

India: Factfile• World’s 4th largest economy.• World-class recognition in IT and ITES, bio-technology & space.• Largest English speaking nation in the world.• 3rd largest standing army force, over 1.5 Million strong.• 2nd largest pool of scientists and engineers in the world• 5,000 year old ancient civilization• 325 languages spoken, 1,652 dialects• 18 official languages • 28 states, 7 union territories• India occupies 2.4% of the world's land area and supports over

17.5% of the world's population.

Power Distance Index (PDI)• Extremely high PDI. (77)• All seniors and elders are expected to be treated

respectfully.• Indian people are very sensitive to the

rank/position of people• A system of hierarchy is their in the work place,

senior colleagues are obeyed and respected.• Discussion is almost always lead by the most

senior person.

• The Caste system– Brahmins– Kshatriyas (shot-triyas)– Vaishnavas (vaysh-navas)– Shudras

• The Class system– Lower class– Middle class– Upper class

• Eg: Government quarters- Class 1, 2, 3 according to the cadre of the officer.

Individualism (IDV)• Indian’s are extremely family oriented people.• Indian collectivism is derived from traditional Indian family

values.• We have concept of much smaller personal space.• Have much higher interdependace.• We try to avoid conflict and generally opt for indirect

communication.• Sense of family and kinship is inculcated from childhood

through joint family and worship of common gods.• Indian Gen Y is more westernized and is more individualistic.• Globalisation is leading to growing emphasis on personal

performance.

Masculinity (MAS)

• Third highest masculinity score• India has witnessed gender inequality from its early history.• Male children are still highly desirable.• Even though there are several working women today, but the

glass ceiling is very much visible.• Wide gap between men and women.• Southern part is a exception where even today they follow

matriarchal system.• Women are rarely looked upon as bread winners, they are

expected to be good wives and mothers.• With growing literacy this scenario is fast changing.

Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI)

• India ranks lower on this dimension• India doesn’t have framework of rules &

regulations or any institutions to avoid uncertain situations.

• In India people don’t feel threatened by ambiguous situations.

• Strong belief in fatalism.• It also influences the concept of time.

Long Term Orientation (LTO)/ Confucian Dynamism

• High score refers tending more to perseverant and parsimonious.

• Indian’s like to save more unlike western culture.• Low security system and history of the country could

explain the reason.• Businesses are done for long term and mostly with

family and friends.• Eg: Buying power even in recession.