Critical reflection
Introduction
There have been many cross-cultural studies conducted in order to identify the variations amongst cultures. This paper analyzes and critiques two of such articles. It starts with brief introduction of article; Hofstede’s Mode Of National Cultural Differences And Their Consequences: A Triumph of Faith – A Failure of Analysis. Further, it critically assesses the work of Peter B. Smith and Shaun Dugan in National Culture and Values of Organizational Employees: A Dimensional Analysis Across 43 Nations.
Hofstede’s Mode Of National Cultural Differences And Their Consequences: A Triumph of Faith – A Failure of Analysis
This article touches on many of the problems with cross-culture study conducted by Greet Hofstede. For one, McSweeny asks whether the national-cultural values can be derived from studying only those gainfully employed in a business environment. The ‘Dimensional’ study does not provide an adequate answer to this question as the source of its samples is confined to the corporate world. The conflict of intentions arises as the dimensional study seeks to prove universal dimensions across multinational enterprises not just nations. Also, McSweeny argues that the culture is not concrete and quantifiable. This challenges many of the assumed dimensions the ‘Dimensional’ study uses. If we challenge the variables used in a study as not universally valid and if the study is unable to validate its variables as universally true then we enter into a paradox.
At the same time, the ‘Dimensional’ study seeks to mitigate this problem by including as many variables from as many studies as possible. Also to quantify them with a mathematical algorithm onto a quadrant of dimensions, they still cannot prove that these variables hold universal without the results of the study. There is still a large and circular mistake based on including assumptions as universal truths.
National Culture and Values of Organizational Employees: A Dimensional Analysis Across
There have been many cross-cultural studies conducted in order to identify the variations amongst cultures. This paper analyzes and critiques two of such articles. It starts with brief introduction of article; Hofstede’s Mode Of National Cultural Differences And Their Consequences: A Triumph of Faith – A Failure of Analysis. Further, it critically assesses the work of Peter B. Smith and Shaun Dugan in National Culture and Values of Organizational Employees: A Dimensional Analysis Across 43 Nations.
Hofstede’s Mode Of National Cultural Differences And Their Consequences: A Triumph of Faith – A Failure of Analysis
This article touches on many of the problems with cross-culture study conducted by Greet Hofstede. For one, McSweeny asks whether the national-cultural values can be derived from studying only those gainfully employed in a business environment. The ‘Dimensional’ study does not provide an adequate answer to this question as the source of its samples is confined to the corporate world. The conflict of intentions arises as the dimensional study seeks to prove universal dimensions across multinational enterprises not just nations. Also, McSweeny argues that the culture is not concrete and quantifiable. This challenges many of the assumed dimensions the ‘Dimensional’ study uses. If we challenge the variables used in a study as not universally valid and if the study is unable to validate its variables as universally true then we enter into a paradox.
At the same time, the ‘Dimensional’ study seeks to mitigate this problem by including as many variables from as many studies as possible. Also to quantify them with a mathematical algorithm onto a quadrant of dimensions, they still cannot prove that these variables hold universal without the results of the study. There is still a large and circular mistake based on including assumptions as universal truths.
National Culture and Values of Organizational Employees: A Dimensional Analysis Across
References: McSweeney, B. 2002. Hofstede’s model of national cultural differences and their consequences: A triumph of faith-a failure of analysis. Human relations, 55(1): 89-118 Smith, P. B., Dugan, S., & Trompenaars, F. 1996. National culture and the values of organizational employees: A dimensional analysis across 43 nations. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 27(2): 231-264