Hofstede: The Importance Of Culture In The Netherlands

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(Keegan & Green, 2008) pointed out the importance of culture in the industry and business – “deep cultural understanding can actually be a source of competitive advantage for global companies”. Culture as defined is “ways of living, built up by a group of human beings that are transmitted from one generation to another (Keegan & Green, 2008)”. Cultural characteristics are about the aesthetical factors; an overview about the country’s pattern of life of the people there and how it will affect the business and industry in addition to the exporting. Social institution that includes education, religion, government and business institution is an example a culture act out its way of living. Having a good quality education can help the country’s industry …show more content…

The first dimension is power distance which the Netherlands scores low on this (38/100) that informs the Dutch style is “Being independent, hierarchy for convenience only, equal rights, superiors accessible, coaching leader, management facilitates and empowers (The Hofstede Centre). Most likely there will be equality in the products to lessen complications and there is superiority. Next is that Netherlands’s culture is an individualist society. They are expected to take care of themselves or to their families which the marketers should take on this applying that this kind of people is keen in choosing products. “In terms of masculinity it got the low score thus it’s a feminine society where work-life balance is important, they strive to have a better value quality on their services and products, quality in their working lives and support. The Netherlands has a slim preference for avoiding uncertainty which is the next dimension. “Countries exhibiting high Uncertainty Avoidance maintain rigid codes of belief and behavior and are intolerant of unorthodox behavior and ideas (The Hofstede Centre)”. It receives a high score in terms of the long term orientation, meaning it has a pragmatic nature. They can easily adapt different traditions and conditions. Industry and companies make products depending on the taste and or needs of the people and so they not only focus one but depend on the current

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