Applying Hofstede's typology, show how Power Distance and Gender Differentiation can influence the marketing of products and services in different countries

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Power Distance is the degree to which members of a particular society expect power to be unequally shared. Hong Kong and France are both high power-distance cultures; low power distance characterizes Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia. The power distance dimension reflects the degree of trust among members of society. The higher the power distance, the lower the level of trust. Companies in high power-distance cultures prefer sole ownership of subsidiaries because it provides them with more control. On the other hand, companies in low power-distance cultures are more apt to use joint ventures.

Masculinity describes a society in which men are expected to be assertive, competitive, and concerned with material success, and women fulfill the role of nurturer and are concerned with issues such as the welfare of children. Femininity, by contrast, describes a society in which the social roles of men and women overlap, with neither gender exhibiting overly ambitious or competitive behavior. Japan and Austria ranked highest in masculinity; whereas Spain, Taiwan, the Netherlands, and the Scandinavian countries were among the lowest. The masculinity-femininity dimension is likely to manifest itself in the relative importance of achievement and possessions (masculine values) compared with a spirit of helpfulness and social support (feminine values). An aggressive, achievement-oriented salesperson can be more successful in Austria, Japan, or Mexico than in Denmark. The Japanese managers may react negatively to a woman, especially if she is younger than they are.