Pakistan Society: Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory

7 min readSep 15, 2022

Introduction

Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory, developed by Geert Hofstede, is a framework used to understand the differences in culture across countries and to discern the ways that business is done across different cultures. In other words, the framework is used to distinguish between different national cultures, and the dimensions of culture, and assess their impact on a business setting.

Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory was created in 1980 by Dutch management researcher, Geert Hofstede. The study aimed to determine the dimensions in which cultures vary.

Hofstede identified six categories that define culture:

1. Power Distance Index

2. Collectivism vs. Individualism

3. Uncertainty Avoidance Index

4. Femininity vs. Masculinity

5. Short-Term vs. Long-Term Orientation

6. Restraint vs. Indulgence

Power Distance Index

The power distance index considers the extent to which inequality and power are tolerated. In this dimension, inequality and power are viewed from the viewpoint of the followers — the lower level.

A high power distance index indicates that a culture accepts inequity and power differences, encourages bureaucracy, and shows high respect for rank and authority.

A low power distance index indicates that a culture encourages organizational structures that are flat and feature decentralized decision-making responsibility, a participative style of management, and place emphasis on power distribution.

2. Individualism vs. Collectivism

The individualism vs. collectivism dimension considers the degree to which societies are integrated into groups and their perceived obligations and dependence on groups.

· Individualism indicates that there is a greater importance placed on attaining personal goals. A person’s self-image in this category is defined as “I.”

· Collectivism indicates that greater importance is placed on the goals and well-being of the group. A person’s self-image in this category is defined as “We”.

3. Uncertainty Avoidance Index

The uncertainty avoidance index considers the extent to which uncertainty and ambiguity are tolerated. This dimension considers how unknown situations and unexpected events are dealt with.

· A high uncertainty avoidance index indicates a low tolerance for uncertainty, ambiguity, and risk-taking. The unknown is minimized through strict rules, regulations, etc.

· A low uncertainty avoidance index indicates a high tolerance for uncertainty, ambiguity, and risk-taking. The unknown is more openly accepted, and there are lax rules, regulations, etc.

4. Masculinity vs. Femininity

The masculinity vs. femininity dimension is also referred to as “tough vs. tender,” and considers the preference of society for achievement, attitude toward sexuality equality, behaviour, etc.

· Masculinity comes with the following characteristics: distinct gender roles, assertiveness, concentrated material achievements, and wealth-building.

· Femininity comes with the following characteristics: fluid gender roles, modesty, nurturing, and concern for the quality of life.

5. Long-Term Orientation vs. Short-Term Orientation

The long-term orientation vs. short-term orientation dimension considers the extent to which society views its time horizon.

· Long-term orientation shows focus on the future and involves delaying short-term success or gratification to achieve long-term success. Long-term orientation emphasizes persistence, perseverance, and long-term growth.

· Short-term orientation shows a focus on the near future, involves delivering short-term success or gratification, and places a stronger emphasis on the present than the future. Short-term orientation emphasizes quick results and respect for tradition.

6. Indulgence vs. Restraint

The indulgence vs. restraint dimension considers the extent and tendency of a society to fulfill its desires. In other words, this dimension revolves around how societies can control their impulses and desires.

· Indulgence indicates that society allows relatively free gratification related to enjoying life and having fun.

· Restraint indicates that society suppresses the satisfaction of needs and regulates them through social norms.

Hofstede Insights for Pakistan

Hofstede Insights has prepared a snapshot of Pakistani culture through the lens of the 6-D Model, which provides a good overview of the deep drivers of Pakistani culture relative to other world cultures.

https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country comparison/Pakistan/

Power Distance

This dimension deals with the fact that all individuals in societies are not equal — it expresses the attitude of the culture towards these inequalities among us. Power Distance is defined as the extent to which the less powerful members of institutions and organisations within a country expect and accept that power is distributed unequally.

With an intermediate score of 55, it is not possible to determine a preference for Pakistan in this dimension.

2. Individualism

The fundamental issue addressed by this dimension is the degree of interdependence a society maintains among its members. It has to do with whether people´s self-image is defined in terms of “I” or “We”.In Individualist societies, people are supposed to look after themselves and their immediate family only. In Collectivist societies, people belong to ‘groups that take care of them in exchange for loyalty.

Pakistan, with a very low score of 14, is considered a collectivistic society. This is manifest in a close, long-term commitment to the member ‘group’, be that a family, extended family, or extended relationships. Loyalty in a collectivist culture is paramount and overrides most other societal rules and regulations. Society fosters strong relationships where everyone takes responsibility for their fellow members of their group. In collectivist societies, offence leads to shame and loss of face, employer/employee relationships are perceived in moral terms (like a family link), hiring and promotion decisions take account of the employee’s in-group, and management is the management of groups.

3. Masculinity

A high score (Masculine) on this dimension indicates that society will be driven by competition, achievement, and success, with success being defined by the winner / best in the field — a value system that starts in school and continues throughout organisational life.

A low score (Feminine) on the dimension means that the dominant values in society are caring for others and quality of life. A Feminine society is one where the quality of life is the sign of success and standing out from the crowd is not admirable. The fundamental issue here is what motivates people, wanting to be the best (Masculine) or liking what you do (Feminine).

Pakistan scores 50 on this dimension, and as this is an exact intermediate score, it cannot be said if Pakistan has a preference for Masculinity or femininity.

4. Uncertainty Avoidance

The dimension of Uncertainty Avoidance has to do with the way that a society deals with the fact that the future can never be known: Should we try to control the future or just let it happen? This ambiguity brings with it anxiety and different cultures have learnt to deal with this anxiety in different ways. The extent to which the members of a culture feel threatened by ambiguous or unknown situations and have created beliefs and institutions that try to avoid them is reflected in the UAI score.

Pakistan scores 70 on this dimension and thus has a high preference for avoiding uncertainty. Countries exhibiting high Uncertainty Avoidance maintain rigid codes of belief and behaviour and are intolerant of unorthodox behaviour and ideas. In these cultures, there is an emotional need for rules (even if the rules never seem to work); time is money, people have an inner urge to be busy and work hard, precision and punctuality are the norms; innovation may be resisted, security is an important element in individual motivation.

5. Long-Term Orientation

This dimension describes how every society has to maintain some links with its own past while dealing with the challenges of the present and future, and societies prioritise these two existential goals differently. Normative societies. which score low on this dimension, for example, prefer to maintain time-honoured traditions and norms while viewing societal change with suspicion. Those with a culture that scores high, on the other hand, take a more pragmatic approach: they encourage thrift and efforts in modern education as a way to prepare for the future.

With an intermediate score of 50, the culture of Pakistan cannot be said to indicate a preference.

6. Indulgence

One challenge that confronts humanity, now and in the past, is the degree to which small children are socialized. Without socialization, we do not become “human”. This dimension is defined as the extent to which people try to control their desires and impulses, based on the way they were raised. Relatively weak control is called “Indulgence” and relatively strong control is called “Restraint”. Cultures can, therefore, be described as Indulgent or Restrained.

Pakistan, with an extremely low score of 0 on this dimension, can be said to be a very Restrained society. Societies with a low score in this dimension tend towards cynicism and pessimism. Also, in contrast to Indulgent societies, Restrained societies do not put much emphasis on leisure time and control the gratification of their desires. People with this orientation have the perception that their actions are restrained by social norms and feel that indulging themselves is somewhat wrong.

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Pakistan Society: Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory

Written by Shahid H. Raja

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