SYNTHETIC CULTURE PROFILES
Identity Dimension
Individualism
Core value: individual freedom Core distinction: me/others

Adapted from Hofstede/Pederson/Hofstede "Exploring Culture"

Collectivism
Core value: group harmony Core distinction: ingroup/outgroup

Seven key elements: Seven key elements: 1. Honest people speak their mind. 1. Members of one's ingroup (organization, extended family) are 2. Low-context communication (explicit concepts) very close, whereas other, outgroup people are very distant. is preferred. 2. Harmony should always be maintained and direct con3. The task takes precedence over relationships. frontations avoided. 4. Laws and rights are the same for all. 3. Relationships are more important than the task at hand. Much 5. Trespassing leads to guilt and loss of selftime is spent on greeting and farewell rituals. respect. 4. Laws, rights, and opinions differ by group. 6. Everyone is supposed to have a personal opinion 5. Trespassing leads to shame and loss of face for the entire on any topic. ingroup 7. The relationship between employer and 6. The relationship between employer and employee is employee or between parent and child is a contract perceived in moral terms, like a family link. based on mutual advantage. 7. Spoken communication uses imprecise style. Discreet non verbal clues, such as tone and pauses, are crucial. The speaker Words with a positive connotation: adapts to the listener. self, friendship, "do your own thing" contract, litigation, self-interest, self-respect, self-actualising, Words with a positive connotation: individual, dignity, I, me, pleasure, adventure, guilt, harmony, face, obligation, sacrifice, family (in a symbolic sense), privacy. tradition, decency, honour, duty, loyalty, shame, Words with-a negative connotation: harmony, face, obligation, sacrifice, family (in a symbolic sense), tradition, decency, honour, duty, loyalty, shame, Language: Are verbal and self-centred, using and me a lot. Nonverbal: Make eye