Gender Differences in Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Among a Kuwaiti Sample

Abstract

Introduction

Hofstede's model of cultural dimensions has become the most widely accepted and most frequently cited model for cross-cultural research. His cultural dimensions included power distance index (PDI), individualism vs. collectivism (IDV), masculinity vs. femininity (MAS), uncertainty avoidance index (UAI), and long-term vs. short-term orientation (LTO).

Objective

The objective of this study is to explore gender related differences in the Hofstede's five dimensions of national culture for work-related values among a sample from Kuwait.

Methods

The participants were 540 first year secondary school Kuwaiti teachers (270 males: mean age = 28.95 ± 2.47; 270 females: mean age = 28.20 ± 2.04). The Arabic version of the Values Survey Module, VSM 08 was administered to participants. Data analysis include independent sample t-test was used to examine gender differences in Hofstede's five dimensions of national culture.

Results

Internal consistency was satisfactory for the Power Distance, Individualism vs. Collectivism, Masculinity vs. Femininity, Uncertainty Avoidance, and Long-term vs. Short-term Orientation subscales respectively (Cronbach's alpha = 0.82, 0.84, 0.90, 0.74, 0.87) for males and (Cronbach's alpha = 0.77, 0.90, 0.83, 0.80, 0.88) for females. The results revealed significant gender differences where the males obtained a higher score than females on individualism (t = 2.95, P < 0.002), and masculinity (t = 2.77, P < 0.005), while females obtained a higher score than males on power distance (t = 4.48, P < 0.000), and long-term orientation (t = 4.13, P < 0.000).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the gender differences exist for cultural dimensions, and provide insight on leadership characteristics.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.