The Dutch scientist Geert Hofstede carried out the big research project on studying of distinctions of national cultures in activity of subsidiaries of multinational corporation in 64 countries. It interrogated more than 160000 managers and the staff of the organizations about if they are satisfied with their work, colleagues, the management, about perception of the problems they have during the work, about the vital purposes, beliefs and professional preferences.
G. Hofstede showed highly significant distinctions in behavior of managers and experts of the different countries. It found out that the majority of distinctions in working values and the relations are explained by national culture, and also depend on a place in the organization, a profession, age and a sex.
According to the model, he consider cultures on 5 parameters: individualism / collectivism; power distance; masculinity / femininity; uncertainty avoidance; long/short term orientation.
So, now I’d like to describe the culture of Germany by means of these parameters
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 of a country accept that power is distributed unequally. Highly supported by a strong middle class, Germany is not surprisingly among the lower power distant countries (score 35).Every subordinate may disagree with the opinion of his/her chief and it is possible to state the disagreement openly. Subordinates in German consider the top management as the same people as they are. Operating structure in German companies is usually rather small. Salaries of the head and the subordinate not strongly differ from each other. German Workers possess the same status, as employees.
Individualism/ collectivism
The fundamental problem of this dimension is the degree of interdependence a society maintains among its members.
In Individualist societies people are supposed to look after themselves and their families only. In Collectivist societies people belong to groups that take care of them in exchange for loyalty.
The German society is a truly individualistic one (67). Head of any organization in Germany doesn't wish to interfere with private life of employees. Collectives of firms are usually not solid because everyone hopes only for himself. Heads uses new ideas and methods, stimulates activity of workers.
Masculinity / Femininity
A high score (masculine) on this dimension indicates that the society will be driven by competition, achievement and success – a value system that starts in school and continues throughout the whole life. A low score (feminine) on the dimension means that the dominant values in society are looking after others and quality of life. A feminine society is one where quality of life is the sign of success .
With a score of 66 Germans are considered a masculine society. The «competition» here begins at the age of 10, when the school system separates children into different types of schools. People here “live in order to work” and got a lot of self-esteem from their tasks. Managers are expected to be decisive. Status is often shown, especially by cars, watches and technical devices. Excessive self-confidence is highly appreciated. Employees agree to work only for higher rates of compensation.
Uncertainty avoidance
It shows how society and its members treat that are compelled to live in uncertainty conditions. Societies with rejection of uncertainty prepare the members for acceptance of uncertainty and achieve weakening of its pressure. Societies with strong rejection of uncertainty prepare the members for attempts to control the future. Societies with strong rejection of uncertainty adjust the members on attempts to supervise the future. The members of such societies are are characterized by excitability, an emotionality and aggression is characteristic.
Germany is among the uncertainty avoidant countries . Workers in Germany have a big alarm for the future, so they prefer only stable, steady and large organizations. Germans very afraid of failure very much and do not want to risk. In business Germans seldom go on compromises with partners, usually they seek to follow the contract accurately. . Germans have a big emotional need for rules - hand-written or unwritten. They characterized by a high level of formalization and standardization. Germans are intolerant of people with deviating behavior and ideas.