Cultural differences in Mexican-German companies analyzed using Hofstede’s model
Keywords:
multiculturality, leadership, human talent, Mexico, Germany
Abstract
Current commercial relationships between Mexico and Germany are stronger because said Latin American country is the only case of a Free Trade Agreement with that European counterpart.
The objective of this work is to analyze Geert Hofstede’s cultural model and explain the similarities and differences between Mexican and German organizations, which enables to successfully manage human talent in multicultural environments. Such model was adopted as it is one of the most widely-known cultural approaches in intercultural research, and this documentary study took a descriptive approach.
The conclusions highlight the fact that these cultures only coincide in two of the dimensions proposed by Hofstede: masculinity and uncertainty avoidance. Besides, Germany was found to have short power distance and long-term orientation. In turn, Mexico presented a long power distance and short-term orientation.
Furthermore, individualism and restriction dominate German organizations, while collectivism and indulgence stand out in Mexican companies.
These differences must be considered when successful human talent management in the Mexican-German context is the goal.
References
Barkley, D. L., & Eggertsson, M. (2017). Using Hofstede´s Model to Improve Multicultural Management in the European Union. Journal of International Management Studies, 17(1), 21-34.
Beugelsdijk, S., Maseland, R., & Hoorn, A. (2015). Are Scores on Hofstede's Dimensions of National Culture Stable over Time? A Cohort Analysis. Global Strategy Journal, 5(3), 223-240.
Blodgett, F. G., Bakir, A., & Rose, G. M. (2008). A test of the validity of Hofstede's cultural framework. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 25(6), 339-349.
Díaz, C., Roosevelt, N., Morin, J., Denn, A., Tien, H., & Steinberg, H. (2016). Customer Service y Hofstede´s Cultural Dimensions in China, Ireland, Mexico y the USA. Proceedings of the Academy for Studies in International Business, 16(1), 5-9.
Embajada de México en Alemania. (2016). Relaciones comerciales y de inversión entre México y Alemania. Recuperado de https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/alemania/index.php/es/component/content/article/419
Garza, M. T., Guzmán, E., & Hernández, D. (2009). Consideraciones culturales y personales en torno a las negociaciones internacionales. Globalization, Competitiveness y Governability, 3(3), 64-89.
Hall, E. T. (1989). El lenguaje silencioso. Madrid: Alianza Editorial.
Hofstede, G. (1983). Culture's Consequences: International Differences in Work-Related Values. Administrative Science Quarterly, 28(4), 625–629.
Hofstede, G. (1984). Culture's Consequences: International Differences in Work-Related Values. USA: Sage.
Hofstede, G. (1993). Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind. Administrative Science Quarterly, 38(1), 132–134.
Hofstede, G., Hofstede, G. J. & Minkov, M. (2010). Cultures and Organizations: Software of the mind: intercultural cooperation and its importance for survival. London: McGraw-Hill.
House, R. J., Hanges, P. J., Ruiz-Quintanilla, S. A., Dorfman, P. W., Javidan, M., Dickson, M., Gupta, V., & Koopman, P.L (1999). Cultural Influences on Leadership and Organizations: Project GLOBE. Advances in Global Leadership, 1(2), 171-233.
Inglehart, R. (1997). Modernization and Postmodernization. New Jersey: Princeton University Press.
Khlif, H. (2016). Hofstede’s cultural dimensions in accounting research: a review. Meditari Accountancy Research, 24(4), 545-573.
Kirkman, B. L., Lowe, K. B., & Gibson, C. B. (2006). A quarter century of Culture's Consequences: a review of empirical research incorporating Hofstede's cultural values framework. Journal of International Business Studies, 285-320.
Leach, M. A. (2013). Moderating Effect of Hofstede's Cultural Values on the Locus of Control/Job Performance Relationship of Managers in USA, Mexico, South Korea and Hong Kong. Journal of Business Strategies, 30(1), 15-45.
McSweeney, B., Brown, D., & Iliopoulou, S. (2016). Claiming too much, delivering too little: testing some of Hofstede's generalizations. Irish Journal of Management, 35(1), 34-57.
Moran, R. T., Harris, P. R., & Moran, S. V. (2011). Managing Cultural Differences. Oxford: Elsevier Inc.
Moulettes, A. (2007). The absence of women's voices in Hofstede's Cultural Consequences: A postcolonial reading. Women in Management Review, 22(6), 443-455.
Ng, S. I., Lee, J. A., & Soutar, G. N. (2007). Are Hofstede's and Schwartz's value frameworks congruent? International Marketing Review, 24(2), 164-180.
Orr, L. M., & Hauser, W. J. (2008). A re-inquiry of Hofstede´s cultural dimensions. Marketing Management Journal, 18(2), 1-19.
Peña, E. (2016). Partner mit gemeinsamen Werten und Prinzipien. Recuperado de http://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/mexiko-deutschland-jahr-partner-mit-gemeinsamen-werten-und-prinzipien/13427622.html
Rodríguez, A. and Brown, A. (2014). Cultural Differences: A Cross-cultural Study of Urban Planners from Japan, Mexico, the U.S., Serbia-Montenegro, Russia, and South Korea. Public Organization Review, 14(1), 35-50.
Schwartz, S. H. (2006). A Theory of Cultural Value Orientations: Explication and Applications. Comparative Sociology, 5(2-3), 137-182.
Venaik, S., Zhu, Y., & Brewer, P. (2013). Looking into the future: Hofstede long term orientation versus GLOBE future orientation. Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal, 20(3), 361-385.
Villatoro, J., Chang, J. & Lane, S. (2014). Research of ethics, values and cross-cultural differences on China, Mexico or the United States. Journal of Technology Management in China, 9(2), 133-154.
Beugelsdijk, S., Maseland, R., & Hoorn, A. (2015). Are Scores on Hofstede's Dimensions of National Culture Stable over Time? A Cohort Analysis. Global Strategy Journal, 5(3), 223-240.
Blodgett, F. G., Bakir, A., & Rose, G. M. (2008). A test of the validity of Hofstede's cultural framework. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 25(6), 339-349.
Díaz, C., Roosevelt, N., Morin, J., Denn, A., Tien, H., & Steinberg, H. (2016). Customer Service y Hofstede´s Cultural Dimensions in China, Ireland, Mexico y the USA. Proceedings of the Academy for Studies in International Business, 16(1), 5-9.
Embajada de México en Alemania. (2016). Relaciones comerciales y de inversión entre México y Alemania. Recuperado de https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/alemania/index.php/es/component/content/article/419
Garza, M. T., Guzmán, E., & Hernández, D. (2009). Consideraciones culturales y personales en torno a las negociaciones internacionales. Globalization, Competitiveness y Governability, 3(3), 64-89.
Hall, E. T. (1989). El lenguaje silencioso. Madrid: Alianza Editorial.
Hofstede, G. (1983). Culture's Consequences: International Differences in Work-Related Values. Administrative Science Quarterly, 28(4), 625–629.
Hofstede, G. (1984). Culture's Consequences: International Differences in Work-Related Values. USA: Sage.
Hofstede, G. (1993). Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind. Administrative Science Quarterly, 38(1), 132–134.
Hofstede, G., Hofstede, G. J. & Minkov, M. (2010). Cultures and Organizations: Software of the mind: intercultural cooperation and its importance for survival. London: McGraw-Hill.
House, R. J., Hanges, P. J., Ruiz-Quintanilla, S. A., Dorfman, P. W., Javidan, M., Dickson, M., Gupta, V., & Koopman, P.L (1999). Cultural Influences on Leadership and Organizations: Project GLOBE. Advances in Global Leadership, 1(2), 171-233.
Inglehart, R. (1997). Modernization and Postmodernization. New Jersey: Princeton University Press.
Khlif, H. (2016). Hofstede’s cultural dimensions in accounting research: a review. Meditari Accountancy Research, 24(4), 545-573.
Kirkman, B. L., Lowe, K. B., & Gibson, C. B. (2006). A quarter century of Culture's Consequences: a review of empirical research incorporating Hofstede's cultural values framework. Journal of International Business Studies, 285-320.
Leach, M. A. (2013). Moderating Effect of Hofstede's Cultural Values on the Locus of Control/Job Performance Relationship of Managers in USA, Mexico, South Korea and Hong Kong. Journal of Business Strategies, 30(1), 15-45.
McSweeney, B., Brown, D., & Iliopoulou, S. (2016). Claiming too much, delivering too little: testing some of Hofstede's generalizations. Irish Journal of Management, 35(1), 34-57.
Moran, R. T., Harris, P. R., & Moran, S. V. (2011). Managing Cultural Differences. Oxford: Elsevier Inc.
Moulettes, A. (2007). The absence of women's voices in Hofstede's Cultural Consequences: A postcolonial reading. Women in Management Review, 22(6), 443-455.
Ng, S. I., Lee, J. A., & Soutar, G. N. (2007). Are Hofstede's and Schwartz's value frameworks congruent? International Marketing Review, 24(2), 164-180.
Orr, L. M., & Hauser, W. J. (2008). A re-inquiry of Hofstede´s cultural dimensions. Marketing Management Journal, 18(2), 1-19.
Peña, E. (2016). Partner mit gemeinsamen Werten und Prinzipien. Recuperado de http://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/mexiko-deutschland-jahr-partner-mit-gemeinsamen-werten-und-prinzipien/13427622.html
Rodríguez, A. and Brown, A. (2014). Cultural Differences: A Cross-cultural Study of Urban Planners from Japan, Mexico, the U.S., Serbia-Montenegro, Russia, and South Korea. Public Organization Review, 14(1), 35-50.
Schwartz, S. H. (2006). A Theory of Cultural Value Orientations: Explication and Applications. Comparative Sociology, 5(2-3), 137-182.
Venaik, S., Zhu, Y., & Brewer, P. (2013). Looking into the future: Hofstede long term orientation versus GLOBE future orientation. Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal, 20(3), 361-385.
Villatoro, J., Chang, J. & Lane, S. (2014). Research of ethics, values and cross-cultural differences on China, Mexico or the United States. Journal of Technology Management in China, 9(2), 133-154.
How to Cite
Tengler, F., & Caldera-González, D. del C. (2018). Cultural differences in Mexican-German companies analyzed using Hofstede’s model. Revista CEA, 4(7), 49–65. https://doi.org/10.22430/24223182.759
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
Published
2018-05-07
Issue
Section
Articles
Altmetric
