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So, welcome everybody. Welcome to the podcast. We are here to talk about the cultural difference of the stakeholders of the UK and France. We are Lefein and Jesse. We will be the hosts of the podcast. We are with four experts who are here to talk about the cultural differences. We have Anouk and Max who are here to talk about the Netherlands and France. And with Rob and Samantha who are going to talk about the cultural differences of the Netherlands and the UK. First, we will introduce the Hofstede model. Jesse, you can start with the first three points of the Hofstede model. Yes, good afternoon. We have the cultural differences, the six cultural dimensions of Geert Hofstede. The first one is the power distance index. This measures the extent of which less powerful members of society accept and expect the power of change. We have the individualism versus collectivism. This dimension looks at people in a society are more self-oriented. The last one is masculinity versus femininity. This dimension measures the distribution of roles between genders. I will do the next three points. The first one is uncertainty avoidance index. This dimension assesses the degree to which members of the cultural feel threatened by ambiguity and uncertainty. The second one is long term versus short term orientation. This dimension reflects the extent to which a culture plans for the future. So, long term or short term oriented. The third one is indulgence versus resistance. This dimension measures the extent to which a society allows relativity free gratification of basic and human desire relation to enjoy love and have fun versus controlling gravitation through strict social norms. Samantha Rupp will now talk about the differences and similarities between the UK and the Netherlands. Samantha. I will talk about the cultural differences between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. I will start with individualism. The Netherlands and the UK both exhibit high levels of individualism which are notable differences. With a perfect score of 100, the Netherlands is one of the most individualistic societies in the world. Here, the emphasis is on loosely knit social framework where individuals are expected to take care of themselves and their immediate families. This individualistic dimension aspects all of Dutch life from their approach to work to social interactions, professional relationships are based on mutual benefit and merit. The UK, scoring 76, also values individualism but with slight less intensity. British culture encourages personal independence and self-reliance from an early age. With a focus on personal fulfillment as a path to happiness. Over recent years, increased wealth has led to a rise in consumerism and a strong meat culture. Despite this, there remains a British cultural trait of modesty and understatement that often requires reading between the lines to fully understand intentions and meaning. So, the UK values individualism but with slight less intensity than the Netherlands. Rob will now talk about the power distance between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. There are also some similarities between cultures of the UK and the Netherlands. The first aspect is power distance. The power distance in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom is almost the same. The Netherlands scores 38 points on this aspect and the United Kingdom scores 35 points. Cultural power distance refers to how societies handle and perceive inequalities in power and authority. It's about the extent of which people accept and expect an equal power distribution. Countries with high power distance are China, Japan and many Middle Eastern countries. The power distance in Western countries is relatively low. Samantha will now talk about the motivation towards achievement and success. In terms of motivation, the Netherlands and the UK stand on opposite ends of the spectrum. The Netherlands, with a score of 14, is a consensus-oriented society. Here, the quality of life and caring for others are important. Success is not about being the best but about achieving a balanced and inclusive work-life environment. Judge managers focus on support and consensus building, ensuring that everyone feels included and valued. Decisions are made collectively and long discussions are common until a consensus is reached. The UK, on the other hand, scores a 66 and is driven by competition and success. This decisive orientation is evident in their value system, which starts in school and continues throughout professional life. Despite an underlying culture of modesty, the British strive for high performance and success. In the workplace, this results in a strong performance ambition and a focus on achieving the best outcomes, often requiring one to read between the lines to grasp the full message. So, in conclusion, the UK is driven by competition and success, but for the Netherlands, the quality of life and caring for others are more important. Rob will now talk about the cultural indulgence. The cultural indulgence is pretty much the same as the human desires. The dimension is mainly high in the Western societies. Cultural indulgence refers to the extent to which a society allows relative free gratification of basic and natural human desires related to enjoying life and having fun. The Netherlands scores 68 points on this cultural aspect, while the UK scores 69 points. They are both well above average. Samantha will talk about certainty avoidance. When it comes to dealing with uncertainty, the Netherlands scores a moderate 53, indicating a slight preference for avoiding uncertainty. Dutch society tends to maintain rigid codes of belief and behavior and has a relatively high need for rules and structure. This is reflected in their work environment, where precision, punctuality, and careful planning are valued. However, this does not mean they are resistant to change. Rather, they seek to manage it carefully. Furthermore, the UK scores a low 35 on uncertainty avoidance, reflecting a more relaxed approach to the unknown. The British are comfortable with ambiguity and are experts at muddling through situations as they arise. This flexibility is evident in their work practices, where detailed plans are often less rigid, and there's a greater openness to adapting as new information emerges. The combination of high individualism and low uncertainty avoidance fosters a culture of creativity and innovation, evident in industries like advertising, marketing, and financial engineering. So, the Netherlands scores a moderate 53 and has a slight preference for avoiding uncertainty. The UK reflects a more approach to the unknown. Rob will now talk about the long-term orientation. The third and last similarity between the UK and the Netherlands is long-term orientation. This describes the importance of the future for the people. It describes the extent to which a culture values long-term commitments and respects long-standing traditions and values. This dimension contrasts with short-term orientation, where cultures emphasize immediate outcomes, quick results, and present-day rewards. Both the UK and the Netherlands score high on this aspect. 68 points for the Netherlands against 60 points for the United Kingdom. This is a very important aspect when it comes to doing business and having a long-term partnership. So, it is a positive thing that the two countries score similar on this aspect. These are the differences and similarities between the cultures of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Thank you Rob and Samantha for the clear interview. We will now go to the next two experts. We hereby introduce our guests Anouk and Max. Who is going to take the bird? Anouk. Hello everyone. Let's start with the Power Distance Index, which looks at how much people accept unequal power distribution in their society. In the Netherlands, the Power Distance Index is low, meaning that the Dutch society values equality in workplaces. Managers and employees see each other more as equals. Decision-making is usually democratic, with lots of discussion and input from everywhere. Employees feel comfortable sharing their opinions and even challenging their bosses when needed. In the France, on the other hand, the Power Distance Index is higher. French culture is more comfortable with clear difference in power. Managers in France often make decisions with less input from employees. Authority is respected and it is less common to question it. The relationship between managers and employees is more formal and roles are clearly defined. This can make decision-making efficient but may also limit open communication. Now I give the word to Max. Hello everybody. First, let's dive into the arts. Both nations have made significant contributions to global art. The Dutch Golden Age brought us masters like Rembrandt and Vermeer, celebrated for their detail and realism. Similarly, French has given us iconic artists like Monet and Degas, pioneers of Impressionism. Arts holds a referred place in both cultures, highlighting their shared commitment to creativity and expression. Next, we look at culinary traditions. French cuisine is world-renowned for its sophistication and rich flavors, while Dutch cuisine falls simpler, boasts high-quality ingredients and famous cheeses like Gouda and Edam. Both cultures emphasize the importance of good food and see meals as vital moments for family and social connections. Now I will give the word to Anouk. Thank you. Next, let's look at individualism, which means whether people prioritize the individual goals over group goals. The Netherlands scores high on individualism. Dutch culture values personal achievements and individual rights. People often focus on their own goals and ambitions. They value autonomy and self-reliance, and relationships are based on personal choices rather than obligation. This focus on individualism encourages innovation and personal responsibility, but it can sometimes lead to weaker community bonds. France also scores high on individualism, but not as high as the Netherlands. While personal achievements are important, there is still a strong value placed on group affiliations and family ties. The French balance personal goals with group expectations. Autonomy is valued, but there is a stronger sense of duty toward family and close social networks compared to the Netherlands. This mix of individualism and collectivism helps maintain strong personal relationships while encouraging individual success. Max, are you done? Yes, I'm done. In summary, while the Netherlands and French have distinct identities, they share significant cultural similarities in their appreciation for the arts, culinary traditions and progressive values. Thank you. Now I will give the word to Reno. Finally, let's discuss the Uncertainty Avoidance Index, which measures how comfortable a culture is with uncertainty. The Netherlands has a lower Uncertainty Avoidance Index. Dutch culture is reliant on strict rules. There is a greater acceptance and change of innovation. People in the Netherlands are generally more open to taking risks and trying new things. This flexible approach is creativity in solving problems. France, on the other hand, has a high Uncertainty Avoidance Index. French culture prefers clear rules and structures to avoid uncertainty. People often seek security through formal procedures and regulations. Thank you. That's it. I would like to thank Anouk and Max for their input. And this is the end of the podcast. I would like to thank Anouk, Samantha, Max, Rob and Levijn for joining. And I will wish you all a good day. Thank you.