The Hofstede Model for Cultural Understanding: Colombia VS Qatar

THE HOFSTEDE MODEL

https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/colombia,qatar/

The Hofstede Model allow us to compare different cultures, this because we can get a good overview of the common behavior of a culture. According to the graph we can notice that Qatar and Colombia are not so different, both have a similar behavior according to the scores.

Power Distance Index (PDI): Both Countries have high scores so that means that they accept inequalities. Qatar scores a high score on this dimension (93), which means that people accept a hierarchical order in which everybody has a place, and which needs no further justification. On the other hand, Colombia scores a 67, so that means that is a society that believes that inequalities amongst people are simply a fact of life.

Individualism VS Collectivism (IDV): Both countries prefer teamwork, both are very collectivistic societies.  Qatar scores low on this dimension, with a score of 25, Qatar is considered a collectivistic society.  At a score of 13 Colombia is amongst the lowest Individualist scores; in other words, it lies amongst the most collectivistic cultures in the world, beaten only by Ecuador, Panama and Guatemala.

Masculinity VS Femininity (MAS):  Qatar shows a moderately masculine score for this dimension (score of 55). Qatar’s score indicates a tendency towards a Masculine society. In Masculine countries people “live to work”, managers are expected to be decisive and assertive, the emphasis is on equity, competition and performance and conflicts are resolved by fighting them out.  Similarly, Colombia (which scores a 64), is a Masculine society – highly success oriented and driven. Colombians are competitive and status-oriented, yet collectivistic rather than Individualist. This means that competition is directed towards members of other groups (or social classes), not towards those who are perceived as members of your own in-group.

Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI): Both countries have the same score in this dimension.  This means that they just like to maintain status quo, they are conservatives. Both scored an 80, this means that they have a high preference to avoid unpredictability and ambiguity. Countries exhibiting high Uncertainty Avoidance maintain rigid codes of belief and behavior and are intolerant of unorthodox behavior and ideas. This is also reflected in religion, which is respected, followed by many and conservative.

Long Term Orientation VS Short Term Orientation (LTO): With a low score of 13, Colombian culture is classified as normative. People in such societies have a strong concern with establishing the absolute Truth; they are normative in their thinking. They exhibit great respect for traditions, a relatively small propensity to save for the future, and a focus on achieving quick results. There is currently no score available for Qatar on this dimension. However, in my opinion Qatar’s score in this dimension is a 10, because Qatar’s people are so sensitive to Islamic Religion.

Indulgence VS Restraint (IND): Scoring a very high 83 in this dimension, Colombia is shown to be an Indulgent country. People in societies classified by a high score in Indulgence generally exhibit a willingness to realize their impulses and desires about enjoying life and having fun. They possess a positive attitude and have a tendency towards optimism. In addition, they place a higher degree of importance on leisure time, act as they please and spend money as they wish. In contrast, there is currently no score available for Qatar on this dimension, but, in my opinion, I consider Qatar scores a 20 in this dimension, they consider that people should control their desires through strict social norms.