A set of attitudes, behaviours and symbols shared by a large group of people and usually communicated from one generation to the next. (Shiraev and Levy, 2004)
A unique meaning and information system, shared by a group and transmitted across generations, that allow the group to meet basic needs of survival, pursue happiness and well-being, and derive meaning from life. (Matsumoto and Juang, 2008)
Both definitions state that culture is transmitted from generation to generation.
OBJECTIVE CULTURE: visible characteristics such as dress styles, use of various technologies and cuisine.
SUBJECTIVE CULTURE: beliefs, norms and values groups consider important enough to pass onto future generations. They include moral codes, religious beliefs and social etiquette.
CULTURAL NORMS: The norms of an established group which are transmitted across generations and regulate behaviour in accordance with the group’s beliefs about acceptable and unacceptable ways of thinking, feeling and behaving.
SUB CULTURAL GROUPS: cultural subunits such as tribes, social classes and castes one finds within the same nation.
Cultural Dimensions Theory - Hofstede (1967-1973)
After Hofstede's 19 study on IBM employees, he found 5 cultural dimensions:
Individualism/collectivism
Power distance - refers to distribution of power, wealth and status
Uncertainty avoidance - refers to society's tolerance for doubt and the unknown
Masculinity/femininity - refers to reinforcement of traditional gender roles
Long term/short term orientation - refers to promotion of a Confucian set of ethics
Supporting studies: Hofstede (1984) Bond & Smith (1996) (dimension 1) Petrova et al. (2007) (dimension 1) Chen et al. (2005) (dimension 5)