India and Canada Cultural Dimensions Comparison

The following explain the differences between Indians and Canadians along four cultural dimensions.

All data taken from Hofstede’s book “Cultures and Organizations: Software for the Mind”

Power distance

This dimension has to do with the extent to which people within a society accept hierarchy. Countries that score high on this dimension accept and are comfortable with uneven distributions of power.

India, at 77, scores high on this dimension, especially compared to Canada. This means that, as compared with Canada, in India there is a more clear power structure and people in different positions in that structure accept and respect their roles. It also signifies a greater likelihood that relationships between those higher up and those lower down on the power structure are formal. Communication within such an environment is more top-down.

Individualism

This factor has to do with whether a given society defines itself in terms of “I” or “We”. In individualist societies people generally look after themselves and their close family members only, rather than looking after other non-family members.

With a score of 48, India is at the mid-level range, meaning that it has both collectivistic and individualist traits. As compared with Canada’s high level of individualism, however, India is more collectivistic.

Masculinity

This factor is concerned with the extent to which society is driven by competition, achievement and success rather than by caring for others and quality of life. A high score on this dimension signifies a masculine society driven by competition.

India scores 56 on this dimension and is therefore considered a masculine society. It is more masculine than is Canada though by a relatively small factor.

Uncertainty avoidance

This factor has to do with the extent to which a society tolerates and is comfortable with uncertainty. High uncertainty avoidance signifies a low tolerance for uncertainty.

India scores 40 on this dimension and thus has a relatively low preference for avoiding uncertainty. This suggests that, in general, Indians are comfortable with uncertainty. There is a saying in India along the lines of the following: nothing is impossible in India, so long as one knows how to adjust. In contrast, Canada has a lower acceptance of uncertainty and, as such, has a greater need than India to have a planned and certain future.