The Geert Hofstede analysis
for Latin American
countries indicate a high level of uncertainty
avoidance, large power distance, and low individualism.
This
is indicative of a society that has a high concern for
rules, regulations, and controls, is slow to accept
change, and
is risk adverse. There is a high emphasis placed on close
ties with individuals, or relationships, whereby everyone
takes responsibility for fellow members of their group.
There are significant inequalities of power and
wealth within the
society.
While
Venezuela is similar to other Latin American countries
when
analyzing Hofstede's Dimensions, it does has unique
characteristics by possessing extremes in all four
Hofstede Dimensions
- three on the high end of the scale and one
on the low end. The first significant exception
is
that unlike all other Latin countries, except
Panama, Venezuela's highest Dimension ranking is
not Uncertainty
Avoidance (UAI).
Venezuela's highest ranking Dimension is Power Distance
(PDI) with an 81, compared to an average of 70 for
the average of all other Latin countries. This is indicative
of a high level of inequality of power and wealth within
the society. This condition is not necessarily subverted
upon the population, but rather accepted by the culture
as a whole.
Venezuela's
Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI) of 76 is slightly below
the Latin average of 80, indicating the society’s
low level of tolerance for uncertainty. In an effort
to minimize or reduce this level of uncertainty, strict
rules, laws, policies, and regulations are adopted
and implemented. The ultimate goal of this population
is to control everything in order to eliminate or avoid
the unexpected. As a result of this high Uncertainty
Avoidance characteristic, the society does not readily
accept change and is very risk adverse.
Venezuela has
the highest Masculinity ranking among the Latin countries
at 73, compared to an average of 48. This indicates
the country experiences a higher degree of gender
differentiation of roles. The male dominates a significant
portion
of the society and power structure. This situation
generates a female population that becomes more assertive
and competitive, although not at the level of the
male population.
Venezuela has a very low Individualism (IDV) ranking
at 12, compared to other Latin countries(average of
21). The score on this Dimension indicates the society
is strongly Collectivist as compared to Individualist.
This is manifest in a close long-term commitment to
the member 'group', be that a family, extended family,
or extended relationships. Loyalty in a collectivist
culture is paramount, and over-rides most other societal
rules and regulations. The society fosters strong relationships
where everyone takes responsibility for fellow members
of their group
In
many of the Latin American countries, including Venezuela,
the population is predominantly Catholic
(see Religions Graph below). The combination of Catholicism
and the cultural dimensions shown in the Hofstede Graph
above, reinforce a philosophy predicated in the belief
that there is an absolute ‘Truth”. As Geert
Hofstede explains, “There can only be one Truth
and we have it.”More Geert Hofstede Details
Written
by Stephen Taylor - the Sigma
Two Group
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