Trompenaars (1993)

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More Questions

Group/Individual

Would you want personal, individual freedom?

• 48% of people from France wanted individual freedom (this is quite low)
• 64% of the Chinese wanted freedom
• 79% of Americans and Canadians wanted individual freedom

It is interesting that many of the eastern countries, such as China and Japan are more individualistic than their stereotype.

Group-orientated cultures value the group over individual needs, "we" is used more often, and decisions are referred to the group

Individualistic cultures are more ego-centric, placing the self above the needs of the group, using "I" more than "we", and decisions are made on the spot by representatives

Diffuse/Specific

Would you refuse to help your boss paint his house, being that it is outside work?

• 28% of Chinese would not help their boss (the lowest)
• 92% of British people would refuse to help their boss (one of the highest)

The UK and US tend to say what they think and are more likely to openly criticise someone in order to correct the situation efficiently. Countries such as China and Japan are diffuse cultures, as they will not criticise directly and respect authority no end.

Specific cultures are direct, blunt and hold to consistent, unchanging morals

Diffuse cultures are indirect, talk around the subject, and have high situational morality

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