Individualism & Collectivism

Cross-Cultural Management Project

Michael Gallagher. Victoria Gathogo. Paige Gmyrek.

Briana Goode. Lori He. Cedrick Houston.

Overview
Individualism vs.
Collectivism
Hofstede Ratings
Demonstration of Behavior
Family Life
Housing and Clothing
Social Customs
Religion
Education
Business

Me or We?
Individualism

Degree to which
individuals are
integrated into
groups.

Collectivism

How would you describe the United States: more

individualistic or more collectivist? France?

Individualism
the degree of interdependence a society maintains among its members
Individualistic Traits
People taking care of themselves (including immediate family only)
Self-orientation
Identity based on individual
Guilt culture
Making decisions based on individual needs
I mentality
Emphasis on individual initiative and achievement
Everyone has a right to a private life

Collectivism
the degree of interdependence a society maintains among its members
Collectivist Traits
Expect absolute loyalty to group
Group orientation
Decisions based on what is best for the group.
Identity based on social system
Shame culture
Dependence on organization and institutions
We mentality

Hofstede Ratings

* partially based on an educated guess derived from data similar to countries

Family Life
Both France (71) and the United States (91) are
individualistic countries. Kenya (25), on the other hand, is a
collectivist country.
French Perspective vs. U.S. Perspective
Host family Guilliaume and Catherine point of view
Personal Experience

Housing, Clothing, & Food

Elderly family members live with family
More collectivist in dress
Meals are eaten with the family
Food is an expression of culture

Social Customs
France

United States

Kenya

Dinner:
We-ather

Dinner:
Grab & Go

Dinner:
Until the End of
Time

Fashion:
Black or Neutral

Fashion:
Freedom

Fashion:
Traditional

Personal & Business

Separate

Personal & Business

Mixture

Personal & Business

Blend

Religion & Common Beliefs

France

United States

Kenya

Secularism

Mix of Spiritualism and

Secularism

Spiritual

Separation of
Church and State

Ideally State and

Religion are Separate

Separation of State
and Religion

Focus on Liberty
and Tolerance

Mixture of People and

Practice Tolerance

High Tolerance for

Others

Education
France

United States

Kenya

Cooperation
Group Work

Competitive
Individual Work

Cooperation
Group Work

Less Expensive

More Expensive

More Expensive

Not Risk Takers

Stay in Comfort
Zone

Risk Takers
Not Afraid to Try and
Fail

Semi Risk Takers

Business
France

United States

Kenya

Work Life Balance

Emphasis on Work

Work Life Balance

Strict Labor Laws

Strict Labor Laws

Relaxed Labor Laws

Lackadaisical in
regards to time

Punctuality is the
key

Lackadaisical in
regards to time

Conclusion
United States shows the most individualistic
tendencies
France shows a mixture of both Individualism and
Collectivism
Kenya is the most Collectivist of the three countries

Any Questions?

Sources
http://outofafrika.org.uk/news/?p=347
http://www.andrews.edu/~tidwell/bsad560/HofstedeIndividualism.html
http://www.norrag.org/ar/publications/norrag-news/online-version/targets-in-educa
tion-training-off-centre/detail/targeting-quality-education-in-kenya-in-the-faceof-universalizing-access.html