How relevant are Hofstede’s dimensions for inter-cultural studies? A replication of Hofstede’s research among current international business students

Abstract

In the present study the cultural dimensions of the well known Dutch researcher Geert Hofstede were tested on a sample of international business students. The sample consisted of 1 033 students from the Netherlands, Germany, China, South Africa and Qatar. The findings of the present research contest many of Hofstede’s original findings. The dimensions power distance and long-term orientation show significant differences with Hofstede’s original country values. The dimensions individualism, masculinity and uncertainty avoidance show significant differences for half of the countries. No significant differences were found between male and female students. The results show– if anything – that Hofstede seems to be right with his warning to be careful with relatively small samples. Or, it might be that cultures are less stable after all.

Keywords: Hofstede’s cultural dimensions; Dutch, German, Chinese, South African, Qatari business students