ABSTRACT
In this chapter we will examine specific frameworks of culture known as ‘‘cultural dimensions’’ by discussing their origins, current debates, and future extrapolations. Cultural dimensions are a means of systematically breaking down cultures into similarities and differences in order to appreciate the natural variations that exist between groups of people that form societies-we can interchange ‘‘nation,’’ ‘‘nation state,’’ and ‘‘country’’ to signify a society. Based on these contrasting views of how people live in society, this chapter will examine the work of Dutch psychologist Geert Hofstede, whose prolific research has contributed valuable insight into cultural patterns across societies. While Hofstede is not the only social scientist who has studied culture, his groundbreaking work has made its mark on the systematic empirical study of intercultural issues, so we will begin with his work. In later chapters we will discuss other noteworthy researchers.
