Cross-cultural HR — Hofstede, GLOBE, and Trompenaars made operational
Three frameworks dominate cross-cultural management research. Hofstede's 6 dimensions, GLOBE's 9 cultural practices and values, Trompenaars' 7 dilemmas.
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- Hofstede: 6 dimensions (Power Distance, Individualism, Masculinity, Uncertainty Avoidance, Long-term Orientation, Indulgence).
- GLOBE: separates cultural practices ('as is') from values ('should be'); 9 dimensions, 62 societies.
- Trompenaars: 7 dilemmas (e.g. universalism vs particularism, individualism vs communitarianism, specific vs diffuse).
- Use Hofstede for fast directional reads, GLOBE for the gap between current and aspirational, Trompenaars for designing global policies.
A global handbook written from one HQ is a tax on every other geography. Used as lenses, the three classical frameworks let HR design for difference without writing 38 country handbooks.
Hofstede's 6 dimensions
- Power Distance — acceptance of unequal power
- Individualism vs Collectivism
- Masculinity vs Femininity (achievement vs care orientation)
- Uncertainty Avoidance — tolerance for ambiguity
- Long-term vs Short-term orientation
- Indulgence vs Restraint
GLOBE — practices vs values
The GLOBE study's key insight: the culture that is ('practices') and the culture that should be ('values') are often opposite. High power-distance cultures often value lower power distance. HR design should respect both readings.
Trompenaars' 7 dilemmas
| Dilemma | HR implication |
|---|---|
| Universalism vs Particularism | Same policy for all vs flex by relationship/context |
| Individualism vs Communitarianism | Individual goals vs team-based rewards |
| Specific vs Diffuse | Work-life separated vs blended |
| Neutral vs Affective | Restrained emotion vs expressed emotion |
| Achievement vs Ascription | Status from doing vs from being |
| Sequential vs Synchronous time | One thing at a time vs many at once |
| Internal vs External control | We shape environment vs environment shapes us |
Designing policies that travel
- Start global, allow local — define the principle, let geos shape the practice.
- Use Hofstede to predict where the friction will show up.
- Use GLOBE to check if today's culture is aspirational or contested.
- Use Trompenaars when writing the policy text itself.
- Test in 2-3 markets before rolling out globally.
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