Topic > Applying Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Theory to the United States and India

Hofstede's dimensions that differ most between the United States and India are power distance, individualism, long-term orientation term and indulgence. Power distance is the extent to which less powerful members of a country's institutions and organizations expect and accept that power is distributed unequally. The United States scored 40 on the power distance dimension, while India scored 70. A score of 70 indicates an appreciation for hierarchy, which is exemplified in Indian society. Indian society is a hierarchical caste system that designates a specific niche in the society you are born into. For a society like this to work, there must be the ability to “accept that power is distributed unequally”, otherwise individuals would not remain trapped in their individual caste. Furthermore, as the power dimension explains, they accept unequal rights between those privileged in power and those further down in society. Indian society has a top-down structure where an employee always has a supervisor and is always monitored. In The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga, the narrator, Balram, applies for a job as a driver for a man named Mr. Ashok. He asks Balram, "'What's your last name?" 'Halwai' 'Halwai…what caste is that, upper or lower?'” (Adiga 53). This once again demonstrates the unequal distribution of power in India, causing their high score on the power distance dimension. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Individualism is defined as the degree of interdependence that a society maintains among its members. The United States scores 91 on this dimension, while India only scores 48. India has a lack of individualism, which is replaced by collectivism. This mindset makes individuals in India more likely to share ideas or be open to working in groups. In The White Tiger, Balram explains how he got his name. He initially took the name “Munna” or boy, as everyone was too busy to name him. He was finally named by his first teacher, saying “Munna? It's not a real name... It will be Balram” (Adiga 10). This clearly shows the lack of individualism in India, as something as seemingly important as a name could remain unattended for so long. In India, collectivism prevails over individualism, with the result that the score on the individualism dimension is lower than the average at 48. The long-term orientation dimension is also another one in which India scores higher, 51, than the United States, 26. This dimension describes how each society must maintain some ties to its past as it faces the challenges of the present and future. India's high score suggests a lack of punctuality in working with people, as well as their tolerance of other religious views. Furthermore, these companies tend to react well to ongoing changes and do not need a precise plan. When working in Indian society, you might notice whether deadlines are strict or not, or be open to changing plans frequently as new ideas come to light. The indulgence dimension refers to the extent to which people try to control their desires and impulses. India's low score of 26 on this dimension suggests that the society has restraint. Actions are limited by social norms, especially compared to Americans. The United States received a score of 68.