Voorbeeld
power distance = grote en ongelijke spreiding van macht ;
individualism = freedom of speech is important, personal goals, personal achievements
<-> collectivism = team is more important than the individual, also family
masculinity = very competitive & assertive ; wealth is important
<-> femininity = personal relationships are important, also quality of live, flexible working hours ; conflict are resolved by negotiation
uncertainty avoidance
long term orientation
indulgence = prikkelbaar, woede uitbarstingen
, <-> self-restraint = zelfbeheersing
Uitleg over Belgie (terug te vinden op website via knop "learn more about these countries")
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 amongst 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 a score of 65, Belgium scores high on the scale of the PDI. It is therefore a society in which inequalities are accepted. Hierarchy is needed if not existential; the superiors
may have privileges and are often inaccessible. The power is centralized in Belgium. It might in the near future not be centralized in Brussels anymore but the Walloons and
Flemish will each have their own point of centralized power from where administration, transports, business etc. are managed. In management, the attitude towards managers
is more formal and on family name basis (at least, in the first contact, the information flow is hierarchical. The way information is controlled is even associated with power,
therefore unequally distributed. Control is normal, and even expected, but considered as formal and not key for efficiency.
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 direct family only. In Collectivist societies people belong to ‘in
groups’ that take care of them in exchange for loyalty.
At 75 Belgium scores very high on the Individualism index. This means that the Belgians favour individual and private opinions, taking care of themselves and immediate family
rather than belonging to a group. In the work environment, work relationships are contract based, the focus is on the task and autonomy is favoured. The management is the
management of individuals and the recognition of one‘s work is expected. People can voice their opinion, but towards power holders a less direct style is preferred than
amongst peers. The Belgian culture (together with the French culture) houses a “contradiction”: although highly Individualist, the Belgians need a hierarchy. This combination
(high score on Power Distance and high score on Individualism) creates a specific “tension” in this culture, which makes the relationship so delicate but intense and fruitful once
you manage it. Therefore, the manager is advised to establish a second “level” of communication, having a personal contact with everybody in the structure, allowing to give the
impression that “everybody is important” in the organization, although unequal.
Masculinity
power distance = grote en ongelijke spreiding van macht ;
individualism = freedom of speech is important, personal goals, personal achievements
<-> collectivism = team is more important than the individual, also family
masculinity = very competitive & assertive ; wealth is important
<-> femininity = personal relationships are important, also quality of live, flexible working hours ; conflict are resolved by negotiation
uncertainty avoidance
long term orientation
indulgence = prikkelbaar, woede uitbarstingen
, <-> self-restraint = zelfbeheersing
Uitleg over Belgie (terug te vinden op website via knop "learn more about these countries")
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 amongst 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 a score of 65, Belgium scores high on the scale of the PDI. It is therefore a society in which inequalities are accepted. Hierarchy is needed if not existential; the superiors
may have privileges and are often inaccessible. The power is centralized in Belgium. It might in the near future not be centralized in Brussels anymore but the Walloons and
Flemish will each have their own point of centralized power from where administration, transports, business etc. are managed. In management, the attitude towards managers
is more formal and on family name basis (at least, in the first contact, the information flow is hierarchical. The way information is controlled is even associated with power,
therefore unequally distributed. Control is normal, and even expected, but considered as formal and not key for efficiency.
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 direct family only. In Collectivist societies people belong to ‘in
groups’ that take care of them in exchange for loyalty.
At 75 Belgium scores very high on the Individualism index. This means that the Belgians favour individual and private opinions, taking care of themselves and immediate family
rather than belonging to a group. In the work environment, work relationships are contract based, the focus is on the task and autonomy is favoured. The management is the
management of individuals and the recognition of one‘s work is expected. People can voice their opinion, but towards power holders a less direct style is preferred than
amongst peers. The Belgian culture (together with the French culture) houses a “contradiction”: although highly Individualist, the Belgians need a hierarchy. This combination
(high score on Power Distance and high score on Individualism) creates a specific “tension” in this culture, which makes the relationship so delicate but intense and fruitful once
you manage it. Therefore, the manager is advised to establish a second “level” of communication, having a personal contact with everybody in the structure, allowing to give the
impression that “everybody is important” in the organization, although unequal.
Masculinity
