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QUESTION 
National culture and management style
 
According to the Hofstede model, what issues might arise in the following cases? 
(a) 
The newly appointed Spanish (more developed Latin) R&D manager of a UK (Anglo) firm asks to 
see the Rules and Procedures Manual for the department. 
(b) 
A US-trained (Anglo) manager attempts to implement a system of Management by Objectives 
(MbO) in Thailand (less developed Asian). 
(c) 
A Dutch (Nordic) HR manager of a US (Anglo) subsidiary in the Netherlands is instructed to 
implement downsizing measures. 
ANSWER 
(a) 
A high-UA manager, expecting to find detailed and generally adhered-to rules for everything, may 
be horrified by the adhocracy of a low-UA organisation: if they attempt to impose a high-UA 
culture, there may be resistance from employees and management. 
(b) 
A high-individuality manager may implement MbO on the basis of individual performance targets, 
results and rewards: this may fail to motivate collectivist workers, for whom group processes and 
performance is more important. 
(c) 
A low-masculinity manager may try to shelter the workforce from the effects of downsizing, taking 
time for consultation, retraining, voluntary measures, and so on: this may seem unacceptably 
'soft' to a high-masculinity parent firm. 
 
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PART B: BUSINESS ORGANISATION STRUCTURE, FUNCTIONS AND GOVERNANCE 
 
170
 
QUESTION 
Hofstede
 
Research has indicated that workers in country A display characteristics such as toughness and the 
desire for material wealth and possessions, while workers in country B value personal relationships, 
belonging and the quality of life. 
According to Hofstede's theory, these distinctions relate to which of the following cultural dimensions? 
A Masculinity/femininity C Individualism-collectivism 
B 
Power distance 
D 
Uncertainty avoidance 
ANSWER 
A 
Many questions in the exam will refer to management theories or need knowledge of 
management theories. Make sure that you learn your theories!