Revisiting Hofstede among South African students: some intercultural communication guidelines for the workplace
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Date
2009
Authors
Schutte, Paul
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Communication Science, University of the Free State
Abstract
This research addressed two questions: (1) Are black and white students rather more
different or similar concerning Hofstede’s cultural dimensions?; and (2) How should
culture differences be accommodated during communication? A questionnaire was
administrated among a sample of 1374 respondents, 50% black and 50% white
students, from three different universities. The findings provided a glimpse of the
“cultural software of the mind” of students who will be employees in different
organisations in the near future. The findings indicate that there are more similarities
than differences concerning the cultural dimensions, irrespective of biographical,
racial or ethnic differences. The vast majority (83%) agreed that some form of
accommodation should take place. Sixty three different suggestions have been
mentioned by all respondents. It is noteworthy that the three with the highest frequency
are the same for both groups: knowledge of the other culture, respect for them and the
use of English as code for communication. This indicates and proves to a certain extent
that, despite the existence of certain differences, these respondents are not only rather
similar concerning the cultural dimensions alone, but also in their suggestions on how
to accommodate cultural differences during their communication with people from
another culture.
Description
Keywords
Hofstede, South African students, Culture, Communication, Workplace, Black students, White students
Citation
Schutte, P. (2009). Revisiting Hofstede among South African students: some intercultural communication guidelines for the workplace. Communitas, 14(1), 1-16.