Hofstede's Resource Page      Click Here   Countries Arab World Argentina Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Canada Chile China Colombia Costa Rica Czech Republic Denmark East Africa Ecuador El Salvador Finland France Germany Greece Guatemala Hong Kong Hungary India Indonesia Iran Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Malaysia Mexico Netherlands New Zealand Norway Pakistan Panama Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Singapore South Africa South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Thailand Turkey United Kingdom United States Uruguay Venezuela West Africa --------------

Geert Hofstede™ Cultural Dimensions * Description for each of Hofstede's Dimensions listed below   South Korea displays Geert Hofstede Dimensions similar to Latin American countries (see Latin America Hofstede Graph below). South Korea's Index values are: PDI=60 IDV=18 MAS=39 UAI=85. South Korea's closest correlation to another country in the Hofstede survey is to El Salvador's values of PDI=66 IDV=19 MAS=40 UAI=94.   South Korea's highest Hofstede Dimension is Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI) at 85, 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.   PDI=70 IDV=28 MAS=41 UAI=85   South Korea has a low Individualism (IDV) rank of 18. The score on this Dimension indicates the society is 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.   PDI=64 IDV= 24 MAS=58 UAI=63 LTO=90   South Korea has a religious population of 49% Christian, 47% Buddhist, Confucianism 3%. and others at 1%. South Korea is very unusual in this respect, as all other Asian countries have a very low Christian population, with Hong Kong being the next highest at only 10%.     The Expatriate Manager in South Korea, Cross Cultural Communications If you're a manager in an international company, what preparation is needed for your expatriates? This paper by Sonya Scholes that may give you some insights.   Power Distance Index (PDI) focuses on the degree of equality, or inequality, between people in the country's society. A High Power Distance ranking indicates that inequalities of power and wealth have been allowed to grow within the society. These societies are more likely to follow a caste system that does not allow significant upward mobility of its citizens. A Low Power Distance ranking indicates the society de-emphasizes the differences between citizen's power and wealth. In these societies equality and opportunity for everyone is stressed.   Individualism (IDV) focuses on the degree the society reinforces individual or collective achievement and interpersonal relationships. A High Individualism ranking indicates that individuality and individual rights are paramount within the society. Individuals in these societies may tend to form a larger number of looser relationships. A Low Individualism ranking typifies societies of a more collectivist nature with close ties between individuals. These cultures reinforce extended families and collectives where everyone takes responsibility for fellow members of their group.   Masculinity (MAS) focuses on the degree the society reinforces, or does not reinforce, the traditional masculine work role model of male achievement, control, and power. A High Masculinity ranking indicates the country experiences a high degree of gender differentiation. In these cultures, males dominate a significant portion of the society and power structure, with females being controlled by male domination. A Low Masculinity ranking indicates the country has a low level of differentiation and discrimination between genders. In these cultures, females are treated equally to males in all aspects of the society.   Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI) focuses on the level of tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity within the society - i.e. unstructured situations. A High Uncertainty Avoidance ranking indicates the country has a low tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity. This creates a rule-oriented society that institutes laws, rules, regulations, and controls in order to reduce the amount of uncertainty. A Low Uncertainty Avoidance ranking indicates the country has less concern about ambiguity and uncertainty and has more tolerance for a variety of opinions. This is reflected in a society that is less rule-oriented, more readily accepts change, and takes more and greater risks. Long-Term Orientation (LTO) focuses on the degree the society embraces, or does not embrace, long-term devotion to traditional, forward thinking values. High Long-Term Orientation ranking indicates the country prescribes to the values of long-term commitments and respect for tradition. This is thought to support a strong work ethic where long-term rewards are expected as a result of today's hard work. However, business may take longer to develop in this society, particularly for an "outsider". A Low Long-Term Orientation ranking indicates the country does not reinforce the concept of long-term, traditional orientation. In this culture, change can occur more rapidly as long-term traditions and commitments do not become impediments to change.   Geert Hofstede Dimensions Analysis Charts are located in each Country's page listed on the left.   Business Etiquette and Manners are located in each Country's page listed on the right, plus many additional web site links and resources applicable to that Country.   Thanks to Kimberley Roberts for her frequent contributions to this Website.

South Korea

. . .   From 1967 to 1973, while working at IBM as a psychologist, Geert Hofstede collected and analyzed data from over 100,000 individuals from 50 countries and 3 regions   Subsequent studies validating the earlier results have included commercial airline pilots and students in 23 countries, civil service managers in 14 counties, 'up-market' consumers in 15 countries and 'elites' in 19 countries.   From the initial results, and later additions, Dr. Hofstede developed a model that identified four primary Dimensions to assist in differentiating cultures: Power Distance, Individualism, Masculinity, and Uncertainty Avoidance.   Geert Hofstede added a fifth Dimension after conducting an additional international study with a survey instrument developed with Chinese employees and managers.   That Dimension, based on Confucian dynamism, is Long-Term Orientation and was applied to 23 countries.     Hofstede's Resource Pages Click Here Business Etiquette information for the World ***     Click on a country for its Business Etiquette Africa Argentina Australia Brazil Canada Chile China Colombia Costa Rica Ecuador Egypt El Salvador France Germany Guatemala Hong Kong India Indonesia Italy Japan Mexico New Zealand Panama Russia Saudi Arabia Spain Taiwan United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Venezuela --------------