{"id":4431,"date":"2023-01-25T12:05:48","date_gmt":"2023-01-25T11:05:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intermedio.ch\/management-kulturen\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T15:40:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T14:40:29","slug":"cross-cultural-compass","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/intermedio.ch\/en\/cross-cultural-compass\/","title":{"rendered":"Cross-Cultural Compass"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cross-Cultural Compass<\/h4><\/div>

Your guide to the cultures of the world.<\/span><\/h2><\/div>

The cross-cultural compass is your window to most national cultures. On demand, any culture or set of cultures can be deepened in courses, coaching or presentations.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Book a tailor-made cross-cultural training<\/a> to improve communication and cooperation beyond your borders.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Contact us<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Cross-cultural compass: Scope and Contents\u2022<\/span><\/h2><\/div>
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Just click on the hotspot of any country on the map. The compass gives a concise but succinct taste of cultures, and provides useful recommendations for collaboration in the workplace.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Kulturen BRA<\/a> CHI<\/a> FRA<\/a> JPN<\/a> UAE<\/a> RUS<\/a> CHN<\/a> USA<\/a> GER<\/a> IND<\/a> U.K.<\/a> ISR<\/a> ESP<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"kultur<\/div><\/div>

Cross-cultural compass: Contents.<\/span><\/h2><\/div>
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In addition to the values, norms and some concise behavioral characteristics of the local population, we attach particular importance to the tips that expatriates or executives, e.g. from Europe, should heed. The culture compass provides valuable information about how people from the respective cultures tick. Due to the complexity of national cultures, a selection of central characteristics was made without claiming to be complete.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Request a free initial consultation<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Cross-cultural compass: Our own glasses as an obstacle.<\/span><\/h2><\/div>

The awareness that we wear cultural glasses is a first step towards intercultural competence. German, Japanese and Russians are z. For example, French culture is hardly perceived in exactly the same way. It is therefore important that every observer is always aware of the values, norms and behavioral patterns of their own culture.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Request a free initial consultation<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Cross-cultural<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Cross-cultural<\/div><\/div>

Culture versus Personality.<\/span><\/h2><\/div>
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Our cross-cultural compass knows that that the description of national cultures does not apply 100% to all individuals of the country concerned. The individual personality of each person affected also plays an important role. However, the attitudes and behavior patterns briefly described are those that are (very) frequently expressed.<\/p>\n

We speak of national cultures, knowing that the cultural boundaries between nations are not always equally sharp. However, Chinese culture, for example, has more in common with other Asian countries than with France or Great Britain. Even within the \"nations\" the culture is rarely uniform. Japan might be an exception. The example of France, on the other hand, shows clear differences between the Mediterranean region, Brittany and Alsace. An even clearer example of cultural diversity within a country can be found in the USA.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Request a free initial consultation<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Cultural Dimensions of Hofstede<\/a>.<\/span><\/h2><\/div>
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The pages under the hotspots on the map above each contain a graphic that compares the cultural dimensions of the respective country with those of Switzerland. Here we have chosen the cultural dimension indices<\/a> of the Hofstede Center<\/a>. The indices measure the cultural dimensions on a scale from 0 to 100.<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Power Distance (PDI)<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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The PDI (Power Distance Index) is defined as the extent to which the less powerful people in a country typically accept an unequal distribution of power. Example: For the German-speaking Swiss (PDI = 34), an unequal distribution of power is much less acceptable than for the Chinese (PDI = 80).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Individualism (IDV)<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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The IDV (Individualism Index) has to do with whether people's self-image is defined in terms of \"I\" or \"We\", i.e. whether the individual or the community is in the foreground. E.g. Chinese (IDV= 20) are first identified as members of a group and behave accordingly. In the US (IDV = 91), the individual primarily takes care of himself.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Masculinity (MAS)<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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A high index value (e.g. Japan = 95) in this dimension shows that society is determined by competition, performance and success. Success is determined by the winner \/ best-in field - A low index value (e.g. Sweden = 5), on the other hand, means that people attach more importance to social aspects and quality of life.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI)<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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The UAI (Uncertainty Avoidance Index), assesses the extent to which members of a culture feel threatened by ambiguous or unfamiliar situations, and have created beliefs and institutions designed to protect them from that threat. Examples:<\/p>\n