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.

At 80 China sits in the higher rankings of PDI – i.e. a society that believes that inequalities
amongst people are acceptable. The subordinate-superior relationship tends to be polarized
and there is no defense against power abuse by superiors. Individuals are influenced by
formal authority and sanctions and are in general optimistic about people’s capacity for
leadership and initiative.

At an intermediate score of 54, Japan is a borderline hierarchical society. Yes, Japanese are
always conscious of their hierarchical position in any social setting and act accordingly.
However, it is not as hierarchical as most of the other Asian cultures. There is a strong notion
in the Japanese education system that everybody is born equal and anyone can get ahead and
become anything if he (yes, it is still he) works hard enough.

At an intermediate score of 60, South Korea is a slightly hierarchical society. This means
that people accept a hierarchical order in which everybody has a place and which needs no
further justification. Hierarchy in an organization is seen as reflecting inherent inequalities,
centralization is popular, subordinates expect to be told what to do and the ideal boss is a
benevolent autocrat

INDIVIDUALISM
The fundamental issue addressed by this dimension is the degree of interdependence a
society maintains among its members.

At a score of 20 China is a highly collectivist culture where people act in the interests of the
group and not necessarily of themselves. In-group considerations affect hiring and
promotions with closer in-groups (such as family) are getting preferential treatment.

Japan scores 46 on the Individualism dimension. Certainly Japanese society shows many of
the characteristics of a collectivistic society: such as putting harmony of group above the
expression of individual opinions and people have a strong sense of shame for losing face.
However, it is not as collectivistic as most of her Asian neighbours. Japanese are experienced
as collectivistic by Western standards and experienced as Individualist by Asian standards.
They are more private and reserved than most other Asians.

South Korea, with a score of 18 is considered a collectivistic society. This is manifest in a

close long-term commitment to the member ‘group’, be that a family, extended family, or
extended relationships. The society fosters strong relationships where everyone takes
responsibility for fellow members of their group

MASCULINITY
A high score (Masculine) on this dimension indicates that the society will be driven by
competition, achievement and success
A low score (Feminine) on the dimension means that the dominant values in society are
caring for others and quality of life

At 66 China is a Masculine society –success oriented and driven. The need to ensure success
can be exemplified by the fact that many Chinese will sacrifice family and leisure priorities
to work. Leisure time is not so important. The migrated farmer workers will leave their
families behind in faraway places in order to obtain better work and pay in the cities.

At 95, Japan is one of the most Masculine societies in the world. However, in combination
with their mild collectivism, you do not see assertive and competitive individual behaviors
which we often associate with Masculine culture. What you see is a severe competition
between groups. Notorious Japanese workaholism is another expression of their Masculinity.
It is still hard for women to climb up the corporate ladders in Japan with their Masculine
norm of hard and long working hours.

South Korea scores 39 on this dimension and is thus considered a Feminine society. In
Feminine countries the focus is on “working in order to live”, managers strive for consensus,
people value equality, solidarity and quality in their working lives. Conflicts are resolved by
compromise and negotiation. Incentives such as free time and flexibility are favoured. Focus
is on well-being, status is not shown.

UNCERTAINTY AVOIDANCE
The dimension Uncertainty Avoidance has to do with the way that a society deals with the
fact that the future can never be known: should we try to control the future or just let it
happen?

At 30 China has a low score on Uncertainty Avoidance. Truth may be relative though in the
immediate social circles there is concern for Truth with a capital T and rules (but not
necessarily laws) abound. None the less, adherence to laws and rules may be flexible to suit
the actual situation and pragmatism is a fact of life. The Chinese are comfortable with
ambiguity. Chinese are adaptable and entrepreneurial.

At 92 Japan is one of the most uncertainty avoiding countries on earth. This is often
attributed to the fact that Japan is constantly threatened by natural disasters. Under these
circumstances Japanese learned to prepare themselves for any uncertain situation. You could
say that in Japan anything you do is prescribed for maximum predictability. This high need
for Uncertainty Avoidance is one of the reasons why changes are so difficult to realize in
Japan.

At 85 South Korea is one of the most uncertainty avoiding countries in the world. Countries
exhibiting high Uncertainty Avoidance maintain rigid codes of belief and behaviour and are
intolerant of unorthodox behaviour and ideas. In these cultures there is an emotional need for
rules (even if the rules never seem to work) time is money, people have an inner urge to be
busy and work hard, precision and punctuality are the norm, innovation may be resisted,
security is an important element in individual motivation.

LONG TERM ORIENTATION

This dimension describes how every society has to maintain some links with its own past
while dealing with the challenges of the present and future, and societies prioritize these two
existential goals differently.
China scores 87 in this dimension, which means that it is a very pragmatic culture. In
societies with a pragmatic orientation, people believe that truth depends very much on
situation, context and time. They show an ability to adapt traditions easily to changed
conditions, a strong propensity to save and invest, thriftiness, and perseverance in achieving
results.

At 88 Japan scores as one of the most Long Term Orientation oriented societies. Japanese
see their life as a very short moment in a long history of mankind. From this perspective,
some kind of fatalism is not strange to the Japanese. You do your best in your life time and
that is all what you can do.

At 100, South Korea scores as one of the most pragmatic, long-term oriented societies.
People live their lives guided by virtues and practical good examples. In corporate South
Korea, you see long term orientation in the, higher own capital rate, priority to steady growth
of market share rather than to a quarterly profit, and so on. They all serve the durability of
the companies. The idea behind it is that the companies are not here to make money every
quarter for the share holders, but to serve the stake holders and society at large for many
generations to come.

INDULGENCE
This dimension is defined as the extent to which people try to control their desires and
impulses, based on the way they were raised.

China is a Restrained society as can be seen in its low score of 24 in this dimension.
Societies with a low score in this dimension have a tendency to cynicism and pessimism.
Also, in contrast to Indulgent societies, Restrained societies do not put much emphasis on
leisure time and control the gratification of their desires. People with this orientation have
the perception that their actions are Restrained by social norms and feel that indulging
themselves is somewhat wrong.
Japan, with a low score of 42, is shown to have a culture of Restraint. Societies with a low
score in this dimension have a tendency to cynicism and pessimism. Also, in contrast to
Indulgent societies, Restrained societies do not put much emphasis on leisure time and
control the gratification of their desires. People with this orientation have the perception that
their actions are Restrained by social norms and feel that indulging themselves is somewhat
wrong.

With a low score of 29, South Korean society is shown to be one of Restraint. Societies with
a low score in this dimension have a tendency to cynicism and pessimism. Also, in contrast
to Indulgent societies, Restrained societies do not put much emphasis on leisure time and
control the gratification of their desires. People with this orientation have the perception that
their actions are Restrained by social norms and feel that indulging themselves is somewhat
wrong.