The theory of cultural measurements (G.Hofstede)

In his theory of cultural measurements, a Dutch sociologist, a specialist in management theory, Gert (Gerard Hendrick) Hofstede (b. 1928), proposed a set of indicators defining the cultural characteristics of different peoples. The study, conducted by G. Hofstede, consisted in questioning a large number of employees (more than 1000) of a transnational corporation in more than 100 countries for their attitude to work and behavior in the workplace. As a result, five indicators (criteria) were formulated, according to which he distinguished cultures:

1) distance from power (from low to high):

2) isolation (collectivism - individualism);

3) assertiveness (masculinity - femininity);

4) avoidance of uncertainty (non-acceptance of uncertainty);

5) strategic thinking (short-term or long-term focus on the future).

As an empirical base, we used the results of a written survey conducted in the 1960–1970s. in 40 countries of the world (with the exception of the former socialist countries). These studies made it possible to establish that various cultural phenomena can be measured by several specified parameters, which in practice come out in various combinations among themselves, which determines the mentality of the respective culture. The results of the research of G.Hofstede were published in the works "The Effects of Culture" (1980) and "Measurements of National Cultures in Fifty Countries and Three Regions" (1983).

I think this can be seen in politics. Power distance is the degree to which society accepts the uneven distribution of power among its members. In cultures with a low distance from power, for example, in Scandinavia, the communicative style of politicians differs markedly from that adopted, for example, in Turkey, where a politician must radiate significance, authority and power.