Activity #3 Hofstede Cultural Dimentions

Country	Abbreviation	GNI/cap	PDI	IDV	MAS	UAI	LTO
United States	USA	34,870	40	91	62	46	29
Ireland	IRE	23,060	28	70	68	35	43
Sweden	SWE	25,400	31	71	5	29	33

The United States has a lower than average power distance, a very high individualism rating, a slightly masculine society, a average-slighly weak uncertainty avoidance and is a very short term oriented culture. The low PDI indicates that most Americans consider themselves equal, and any social inequality is slight (most likely the very poor and the very wealthy) This allows for relationships between employers and employees, parents and children, and teachers and students to be more on the casual end, with more social interaction than in a high PDI culture. Ireland and Sweden have even lower PDI scores than the U.S. revealing that their societies are even less hierarchal based and individuals are considered more equal. These nations are more likely to be open to entrepreneurship because markets are constantly changing, in contrast to a culture with a high PDI where established companies will be more successful based on good reputations.

All three of these cultures are considered to be individualized. The USA, however has one of the highest out of any nation. I feel as though this can be credited to the way we raise our children to "be whoever you want to be" and to stand up for yourself. Unfortunately, this mindset is imprinted in young children and usually manifests into selfish behaviors and thinking. We most definitely live in an "I" conscious society, where we are all always right and every other belief is wrong. This is counteracted by the universalistic behaviors that are so common in out society. We tend to gravitate towards peers of our same manner of thinking and beliefs, allowing us to believe that everyone feels the same way that we do. This has made us intolerant to other cultures and beliefs.

Both the US and Ireland are more masculine societies than feminine. This accounts for "The American Dream" where we all work really hard to achieve the ultimate success. Due to Ireland's similar MAS score, and talking to locals while on the trip, they appear to have the same mindset. Sweden however, is a very feministic society. The values in Sweden revolve around improving the quality of life and caring for others.

All three nations have below average Uncertainty avoidance ratings but the US has the highest of the tree. In just comparing the US and Ireland, I can see a huge difference in emotional behaviors. Here in the States, everyone is so overcome by emotion at all times. People are easily offended and angered by little things that realistically mean absolutely nothing. In Ireland, everyone is much more easy going and tolerant in comparison. If Sweden's UAI rating is even lower than Ireland, it can only be assumed that they would be even more tolerant nation with a lack of strong emotion.

Of the three countries, Ireland has the highest LTO score, but it is still below average. This is surprising to be because I felt as though Irish culture was very long-term oriented. At meetings that we went to while on the trip, it was made clear to us that a majority of government investment goes to education to create a better future for the nation as a whole.