Cultural Intelligence - Hofstede's and Hall's model

Cultural intelligence - CQ

Cultural intelligence is the “Capability of an individual to function effectively in situations characterised by cultural diversity” (Ang 2015). 

It involves increasing the CQ drive, CQ knowledge, CQ action and CQ strategy. In other words, increasing the level of Cultural Intelligence comes as a result when it is increased the level of interest, understanding, awareness and adaptation to other cultures (Cultural Intelligence Center 2023).

Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory

Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory is a model developed in 1973 thanks to Hofstede’s examinations of worldwide employee’s surveys during 6 years. This model indicates how communication varies within different cultures, as they differ in values, behaviours and understanding of it. 

Hosftede’s cultural dimensions are six, they are described as: 

1) Power of Distance Index, this is the degree to which authority is accepted and followed. 

2) Individualism vs Collectivism, to what extent people look out for each other as a team or by themselves as an individual. 

3) Masculinity vs femininity, these are specific values that a society is more aligned with. 

4) Uncertainty avoidance, it explains to what extent people avoid the unknown. 

5) Long Term Orientation vs Short Term Orientation, depending on what is prioritised history and tradition or modernity and futuristic views. 

6) Indulgence vs Restrain, it indicates if a group culture prefers to delay gratification for a long-term benefit or to enjoy the gratifications in the present (Hofstede Insights 2023).

Hall’s model of high-context versus low-context

Hall’s model of high-context versus low-context culture indicates how explicit communication is within a culture and what’s the importance of the context. 

High-context cultures are seen as less-direct verbal and non-verbal communication, conveying more meaning into the non-verbal communication. 

Low-context cultures are seen as doing the opposite, having more direct verbal communication to clearly understand messages which are very explicit (Alizadeh 2021).

Written by Sergio Quintero, 2023, student of Master of Business Administration, 

Kaplan Business School, Melbourne, Australia.

REFERENCES

Ang, S., Vann, L., 2015, “Handbook of cultural intelligence, theory, measurement, and applications”, Routledge, Part 1 - Introduction, pp. 3-16.

Cultural Intelligence Center, 2023, “CQ drive, CQ knowledge, CQ action, CQ strategy”, CIC, retrieved 15 Jan 2023, <https://culturalq.com>

Hofstede Insights, 2023, Country Comparison, retrieved 16 January 2023, <https:// www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/australia/>

Alizadeh, A., 2021, “Humanitarian behavior across high-?low-context cultures: a comparative analysis”, Int J Humanitarian Action 6, article 2.