Define Hofstede’s low-high power distance dimension and give an example of each type of culture.

What is a program that can be a part of a larger affirmative action initiative?

Any of the following are possibilities: simple elimination of discrimination, targeted recruitment, tie-breakers and preferential treatment.

157. Define Hofstede’s individualism-collectivism dimension and give an example of each type of culture.

Individualism refers to cultures where people define themselves as an individual and form looser ties with their groups. An example of an individualist culture is the United States where personal independence is valued.

Collectivism refers to cultures where people have stronger bonds to their groups and group membership forms a person’s self-identity. An example of this type of culture is Mexico where the family is very important.

158. Define Hofstede’s low-high power distance dimension and give an example of each type of culture.

Low power distance is a society that views an unequal distribution of power as relatively unacceptable. In a low power distance culture, egalitarianism is the norm. A high power distance society views an unequal distribution of power as relatively acceptable. An example is Turkey, where elementary and high school students stand to greet their teachers when they enter the room.

159. Define Hofstede’s low-high uncertainty avoidance dimension and give an example of each type of culture.

A low uncertainty avoidance culture is comfortable in unpredictable situations and has high tolerance for ambiguity. An example is Russia, where companies do not have rule-oriented cultures.

A high uncertainty avoidance culture prefers predictable situations and has low tolerance for ambiguity. An example of this culture is Germany, where people prefer structure in their lives and like rules and procedures that manage situations.

160. Define Hofstede’s masculinity/femininity dimension and give an example of each type of culture.

Masculinity is a culture that values achievement, competitiveness, and the acquisition of money and other material objects. An example of a masculine culture is Japan where there is a separation of gender roles.

Femininity is a culture that values maintaining good relationships, caring for the weak and quality of life. An example of a feminine culture is Sweden where work/life balance is important and work arrangements like telecommuting are popular.

161. IBM was a pioneer in creating programs to value and develop a diverse workforce prior to federal legislation requiring such programs. Briefly discuss one of the programs IBM instituted that values diversity.

In 1935, IBM President Thomas Watson promised equal pay between the genders employed by the firm. In 1943, IBM had its first female vice president. The firm granted women unpaid leave for the birth of a child thirty years before the Family and Medical Leave Act; it then extended that benefit to female employees, raising the leave to one year in the 1960s and three years in 1988.

162. Briefly discuss the task forces that IBM established under Louis Gerstner to promote diversity in the firm, and address the masculine culture of the firm at the time.

The eight task forces established were women and men, Asians, African Americans, lesbian/bisexual/gay/transgender, Hispanic, Native American and employees with disabilities. Each task force had senior and higher level employees on it and each task force was charged with understanding how each constituency felt so they could be made to feel welcome at IBM. Each task force conducted meetings and surveyed employees to arrive at key factors related to each group. The key factors did not have to be based in reality; if employees perceived the issues to exist, IBM designed a program to address it.