Culture and influence in the workplace

 

Culture and influence in the workplace.

“collectivism vs individualism"

 

The ideas attributed to individualistic and collectivist societies are widely known and often contrasted. Culture is the only element that may have an impact on how individuals behave at work. Cross-cultural psychologists frequently research the distinctions and overlaps between individualistic and collectivist cultures within this very broad field of study.

Cultures that value the needs of the individual over the requirements of the collective are said to be individualistic. People in this place take great pleasure in their freedom and autonomy. As a result, personal attitudes and preferences dominate social behavior as a whole.

In collectiveist cultures, the wants and objectives of the group are given precedence above the needs and preferences of an individual. As a result, in these cultures, a person's identity is heavily influenced by their relationships with other group members and how they are related to one another (Indeed.com).

 

Geert Hofstede and the Cultural Dimensions Theory

The cultural disparities in leadership have emerged as a major social debate in today's more globalized globe and workplace. A thorough investigation of culture and its impact on workplace values may be found in Professor Geert Hofstede's Cultural Characteristics Theory, a framework for cross-cultural interactions based on six essential dimensions. One of the crucial elements in Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Index is individualism vs. collectivism in business.

"The collective programming of the mind differentiating members of one group or category of people from others," according to Hofstede, is what culture is. The idea of culture, its origins, and its consequences are constantly being investigated, theorized, and discussed. An organization's culture is influenced by how it perceives, assesses, and responds to the internal and external forces that shape it. Because culture affects behavior, it has a big impact on how well a company performs.

 

 

 

 

What is individualism and collectivism culture?

 

There is a significant divergence between China and the United States in Hofstede's individualism-collectivism dimension. The United States scores 91 out of a possible 100 on the individuality index, whereas China has a far lower index score of 20.

Western and Eastern collectivism differ in that they place more emphasis on the collective while individualism places more emphasis on the individual. The two have a significant impact on organizational management and leadership as corporate ideology. Individualist leadership holds that a company's success rests on its capacity to encourage the distinctive, innovative contributions of each employee. Collective leadership places more emphasis on the needs of the business as a whole than on individual needs (Cherry, K.,2013).

Collectivism

The most collective cultures may be found in China, South Korea, Japan, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Indonesia. It implies that these cultures, among many others, greatly favor a social structure in which people are required to adhere to the standards of the society and the in-groups to which they belong.

Collectivist cultures prioritize the needs of the group and the business over those of the individual in the workplace. Everyone in such a situation has each other's best interests in mind. When working in a collectivist society, the principles of acceptance, belonging, and teamwork are seen helpful.

In a collectivist working environment, decisions are reached through consensus and cooperation. They emphasize the significance of organizational or team goals and requirements. Collectivist corporate cultures have the drawback of being more likely to exist in a homogenous setting. Employees are discouraged from expressing their own personal ideas, beliefs, and motives because they are actively urged to accept the group's ideals, viewpoints, and goals (Cherry, K., 2013).

 

Individualism 

The individual employee and their unique demands are emphasized in an individualized workplace culture. By the nineteenth century, individualism in business had become a pillar of American culture, and it is still thriving today in many facets of American life, including the workplace. Individualism in the workplace promotes individuals to feel that giving their all would help them achieve their professional goals, which will make them efficient and productive. As a result, workplaces often have a high level of competition.

Individualistic workplace cultures often foster highly productive and self-motivated employees. They are urged to express themselves and be original. Because leaders feel that autonomy and personal incentives are what people need to be happy and motivated in the business, work done in one's own self-interest is expected and encouraged.

 

Increased attention to the individual, nevertheless, can favor one while alienating the others. It's possible to think about collaboration as unnecessary or inconvenient. In such a workplace, employees may experience intense rivalry, which can lead to uncertainties, stress, and anxiety. Employees that work in stressful environments will also experience burnout (Cherry, K. 2013).

 

How is collectivism vs individualism measured?

One method for evaluating collectivism vs. individualism is the Culture Orientation Scale. This 16-point scale measures how much a person sees themselves as totally autonomous individuals or as members of a group. Additionally, it determines whether they think there is equality among group members or inequality (Brown, G. 2020).

 

Individualism or Collectivism?

Each technique has benefits and drawbacks. Individualism may lead to more conflicts, reluctance to change, and a lack of collaboration even while it boosts self-confidence, encourages personal excellence, and stimulates innovation.

The effectiveness of a team may also be impacted by individuals who are unable or unwilling to adhere to established standards and procedures.

Even though they might not be the primary issues in a collectivist organization, these issues might nonetheless exist. When individual efforts are (for the most part) ignored, employees could feel less motivated or engaged. This mindset may limit innovation and originality due to the desire to serve the group (Brown, G. 2020).

 

Conclusion

The dispute over individuality vs. collectivism may be resolved by balancing the two in your company to get the best of both worlds. Take the idea of collaboration from collectivism, but also encourage individual creativity in each group member. Basically, consider a caring culture to better comprehend your staff's values (individual creativity and innovation vs. the wellbeing and success of the group...) and working habits (individually or in team settings).

 

 

 

Reference

Cherry, K. (2013) What is a collectivist culture?, Verywell Mind. Available at: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-collectivistic-cultures-2794962 (Accessed: December 8, 2022).

Brown, G. (2020) Difference Between Collectivism and individualism, Differencebetween.net. Difference Between. Available at: http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/difference-between-collectivism-and-individualism/ (Accessed: December 8, 2022).

 Indeed.com. Available at: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/individualism-vs-collectivist-workplace-culture (Accessed: December 8, 2022).