What about Germany - Based on Hofstede:

Power distance This dimension deals with the fact that all individuals in societies are not equal it expresses the attitude of the culture towards these inequalities amongst us. Power distance is defined as the extent to which the less powerful members of institutions and organisations within a country expect and accept that power is distributed unequally. Highly decentralised and supported by a strong middle class, Germany is not surprisingly among the lower power distant countries (score 35). Co-determination rights are comparatively extensive and have to be taken into account by the management. A direct and participative communication and meeting style is common, control is disliked and leadership is challenged to show expertise and best accepted when its based on it. Germanys Low Power Distance Index Germanys lowest score was 35 points on Hofstedes power distance index. This index measures the extent to which less powerful members accept that power is distributed unequally in German institutions and organizations. Germanys power distance index score is 36% below the world average score, and 14% lower than the U.S. What this means is that Germany is a decentralized society, with relatively flatter organization structures and a comparatively smaller proportion of supervisors. German workers are remarkably loyal to their companies. One question on Trompenaars survey asked whether an employee would reveal confidential company information to a close friend who otherwise would face financial ruin. Over 75% of German employees said that they would comply with their legal duty to respect company confidentiality. Individualism The fundamental issue addressed by this dimension is the degree of interdependence a society maintains among its members. It has to do with whether peoples self-image is defined in terms of I or We. In Individualist societies people are supposed to look after themselves and their direct family only. In Collectivist societies people belong to in groups that take care of them in exchange for loyalty. The German society is a truly individualistic one (67). Small families with a focus on the parent-children relationship rather than aunts and uncles are most common. There is a strong belief in the ideal of self-actualization. Loyalty is based on personal preferences for people as well as a sense of duty and responsibility. This is defined by the contract between the employer and the employee. Communication is among the most direct in the world following the ideal to be honest, even if it hurts and by this giving the counterpart a fair chance to learn from mistakes. Germanys High Individualism Score

a survey that asked managers from different cultures: "Do you prefer working in a group or working on your own?" A majority of 88% of Germans favour working in a group over solo efforts. In contrast, 58% of Americans wanted to work alone and make independent decisions. Masculinity / Femininity A high score (masculine) on this dimension indicates that the society will be driven by competition, achievement and success, with success being defined by the winner / best in field a value system that starts in school and continues throughout organisational behaviour. A low score (feminine) on the dimension means that the dominant values in society are caring for others and quality of life. A feminine society is one where quality of life is the sign of success and standing out from the crowd is not admirable. The fundamental issue here is what motivates people, wanting to be the best (masculine) or liking what you do (feminine). With a score of 66 Germany is considered a masculine society. Performance is highly valued and early required as the school system separates children into different types of schools at the age of ten. People rather live in order to work and draw a lot of self-esteem from their tasks. Managers are expected to be decisive and assertive. Status is often shown, especially by cars, watches and technical devices. Germanys High Masculinity Score Germany scored 66 points on masculinity, a cultural characteristic in which success, money and material possessions form the dominant values in society. That score is 32% higher than the world average score for masculinity, and 6% higher than the U.S. According to Hofstedes model, Germans place greater importance on earnings, recognition, advancement and challenge. The CIA World Fact Book points to Germany as the European Unions largest economy, with an estimated trade surplus of US$240 billion in 2007. Uncertainty avoidance The dimension Uncertainty Avoidance has to do with the way that a society deals with the fact that the future can never be known: should we try to control the future or just let it happen? This ambiguity brings with it anxiety and different cultures have learnt to deal with this anxiety in different ways. The extent to which the members of a culture feel threatened by ambiguous or unknown situations and have created beliefs and institutions that try to avoid these is reflected in the UAI score. Germany is among the uncertainty avoidant countries (65). In line with the philosophical heritage of Kant, Hegel and Fichte there is a strong preference for deductive rather than inductive approaches, be it in thinking, presenting or planning: the systematic overview has to be given in order to proceed. This is also reflected by the law system. Details are equally important to create certainty that a certain topic or project is wellthought-out. In combination with their low Power Distance, where the certainty for own decisions is not

covered by the larger responsibility of the boss, Germans prefer to compensate for their higher uncertainty by strongly relying on expertise. Germanys Uncertainty Avoidance Index Germany scored 65 points on Hofstedes uncertainty avoidance index. This index measures the extent to which people feel threatened by ambiguous situations and have created beliefs and institutions to avoid such risks. That score is only 2% above the world average score for uncertainty avoidance, but 41% higher than the U.S. where Americans are much more comfortable with risks associated with change.

Power Distance Index 1-20 21-40 41-60 61-80 81-100 101-120 Country Malaysia Guatemala Panama Philippines Mexico Venezuela China Egypt Iraq Kuwait Lebanon Libya Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates Ecuador Indonesia Ghana India Nigeria Sierra Leone Singapore Brazil France Hong Kong Poland Colombia El Salvador Turkey Belgium Ethiopia Kenya Peru Tanzania Thailand Zambia Chile Portugal PDI IDV MAS UAI LTO 104 95 95 94 81 81 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 78 78 77 77 77 77 74 69 68 68 68 67 66 66 65 64 64 64 64 64 64 63 63 26 6 11 32 30 12 20 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 8 14 20 48 20 20 20 38 71 25 60 13 19 37 75 27 27 16 27 20 27 23 27 50 37 44 64 69 73 66 52 52 52 52 52 52 52 63 46 46 56 46 46 48 49 43 57 64 64 40 45 54 41 41 42 41 34 41 28 31 36 101 86 44 82 76 40 68 68 68 68 68 68 68 67 48 54 40 54 54 8 76 86 29 93 80 94 85 94 52 52 87 52 64 52 86 104

19

118

16 61 16 16 48 65 96

25 25 25 56 25

Uruguay Greece South Korea Iran Taiwan Czech Republic Spain Pakistan Japan Italy Argentina South Africa Hungary Jamaica United States Netherlands Australia Costa Rica Germany United Kingdom Switzerland Finland Norway Sweden Ireland New Zealand Denmark Israel Austria

61 60 60 58 58 57 57 55 54 50 49 49 46 45 40 38 36 35 35 35 34 33 31 31 28 22 18 13 11

36 35 18 41 17 58 51 14 46 76 46 65 55 39 91 80 90 15 67 89 68 63 69 71 70 79 74 54 55

38 57 39 43 45 57 42 50 95 70 56 63 88 68 62 14 61 21 66 66 70 26 8 5 68 58 16 47 79

100 112 85 59 69 74 86 70 92 75 86 49 82 13 46 53 51 86 65 35 58 59 50 29 35 49 23 81 70

75 87

80

29 44 31 31 25

20 33 30

http://daniel-workman.suite101.com/german-business-culture-a45268 http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/power-distance-index/ http://geert-hofstede.com/germany.html

The region where present day Germany is located was inhabited by Germanic tribes since the Nordic Bronze age. By 843, the Holy Roman Empire was formed from the eastern portion of Carolingian Empire. This region stretched from the Eider River to the Mediterranean coast. Under the reign of Salian emperors (1024-1125), Italy and Burgundy were absorbed by the Holy Roman Empire. In 1517, Martin Luther, with his 95 These, initiated the Protestant Reformation by challenging the Roman Catholic Church. It led to Thirty Years' War( 16181648) and damaged the land and states of Germany. German Confederation With the fall of Napoleon I of France, the German Confederation was founded in 1814. Inspired by the French Revolution and other revolutionary ideas, the Revolution of 1848 began in the German states. In 1864, the prime minister of Prussia, Otto Von Bismarck waged a successful war on Denmark. The Prussian War of 1866 allowed him to create North German Federation. The Berlin Conference in 1884 allowed Germany to claim many colonies, including German East Africa, German South-West Africa, Togo, and Cameroon. World War I The First World War was triggered by the assassination of Austria's crown prince, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, on June 28, 1914. His assassination led to Austria-Hungary's declaration of war against Serbia. It resulted in the defeat of Germany, one of the Central Powers. The German Revolution began in 1918 and in June 1919, Germany was forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles. Third Reich The German Communist Party and Nazi Party had gained controlled of the majority of the parliament of Germany by 1932. Adolf Hitler became the chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933. He was provided unrestricted legislative powers through the Enabling Act. Soon he established a centralized totalitarian state and by 1935-36, Germany reacquired control of Saar and Rhineland. On September 1, 1939, Germany launched an attack on Poland and it was occupied by Germany and Soviet Red Army. World War II began when the UK and France declared war on Germany. The Third Reich regime killed many dissidents and minorities during the Holocaust. After the war, the territories of Germany and Berlin were divided by the Allies into four military zones. The western regions were controlled by France, UK, and US and formed the Federal Republic of Germany. They were informally known as West Germany. The eastern regions were controlled by Soviet Union and was known as East Germany. The Berlin Wall was erected in 1961 to stop Germans from escaping to West Germany. It became a symbol of Cold War. By 1970s the mounting tensions were reduced by Chancellor Willy Brandt's Ostpolitik. Modern History The Two Plus Four Treaty was signed on September 12, 1990. It allowed Germany to regain full sovereignty over its four occupied zones. On October 03,1990 German reunified

with the accession of the five re-established states. Berlin became the capital of Germany. Today, it is one of the superpowers of the European Union. http://www.mapsofworld.com/germany/about/history.html Germany is a parliamentary federal republic comprising sixteen states. Berlin is the capital city. The Germanic tribe dates back to the Nordic Bronze Age or just before the Roman Iron Age. The Carolingian Empire or the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, the Hapsburg Monarchy, and the Kingdom of Prussia are some of the major ruling dynasties who ruled Germany at different point of time. Bismarck and Hitler are some of the notable German heroes. Being an integral part of the First World War, Germany lost the war. Following this, Germany saw the rise of Hitler and the Nazi power. After the much inevitable Second World War, Germany was divided only to be re-unified in 1990. Soon it became a member of the European Union. Culturally, Germany has been known for its contribution in many fields like music, literature, philosophy, art and architecture, and sports. German Art: Germany has produced some of the best pieces of art work and has a long tradition in visual arts. Hans Holbein the Younger, and Matthias Grunewald were the major Renaissance artists. Print making, wood engravings and Gothic art of the sixteenth century are some of the major German innovations. Architecture: The Carolingian and Ottonian styles, the precursors of Romanesque contributed to the architectural styles of Germany. The diverse architectural styles of the country is a result of fragmentation of the country during centuries. Abbey Church of St. Michael's, Speyer Cathedral, Freiburg Cathedral, and the Cologne Cathedral are the major architectural sites that are the prototype of German architecture. Music: One of the leading music markets in the world, Germany is home to some of the most well-known classical music composers, including Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, and Richard Wagner. Literature: German literature is world-famous and dates back to the Middle Ages. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller, Thomas Mann, Bertolt Brecht, and Hermann Hesse are some of the most renowned German authors. Germany hosts the Frankfurt Book Fair annually; it is the biggest book fair in the world. Sports: Germany has been represented in various international sporting events including Formula One, FIFA World Cup, Summer Olympics, ice hockey, and tennis tournaments. One of the leading motor sports countries in the world, Germany is known for the manufacture of motor brands such as BMW and Mercedes. http://www.mapsofworld.com/germany/about/culture.html

Germany Introduction The Federal Republic of Germany has a population of 81 million people and is roughly the size of Montana. Germanys religions are split evenly between Roman Catholics, who are concentrated in the southern part of the country, and Protestants, who are found in the northern region. Germany's economy ranks as the largest in Europe, and the third largest in the world, behind the U.S. and Japan. The decision-making process in Germany is much slower than in the United States, and this can be troublesome to U.S. executives. Be prepared for the process to take much longer, as there is often a "hidden" group of advisors and decision makers that must approve of any transaction that is to occur. Germany Fun Fact Germany went through a unification process, bringing the East and the West together. Although there still continues to be sensitivities between the two regions, the integration both economically and technologically is moving forward. Of Germany is the home of world famous Oktoberfest, or Wiesn, which is a 16-day annaul festival held in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, from late September to the first weekend in October. It's one of the most famous events in Germany and is the world's largest fair, with more than 5 million people attending every year. The Oktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture, having been held since 1810. Other cities across the world also hold Oktoberfest celebrations, modeled after the Munich event., Geert Hofstede Analysis for Germany Geert Hofstede Cultural Scores for Germany The Geert Hofstede analysis for Germany shows their emphasis on individualism, masculinity, and uncertainty avoidance. Power distance and long-term orientation are both ranked considerably lower than the others. This illustrates Germanys belief in equality and opportunity for each citizen, as well as its ability to change and adapt rapidly. More Details Religion in Germany

* WORLD FACTBOOK 2011

German Appearance Business dress in Germany is very conservative. Businessmen wear dark suits; solid, conservative ties, and white shirts. Women also dress conservatively, in dark suits and white blouses. Chewing gum while talking to someone is considered rude. Don't be surprised if occasionally you see a fashion statement with white socks being worn with a dark suit. German Behavior Germans are strongly individualistic. The German thought process is extremely thorough, with each aspect of a project being examined in great detail. This process is often times very time-intensive. However, once the planning is over, a project will move very quickly and deadlines are expected to be honored. Germans do not like surprises. Sudden changes in business transactions, even if they may improve the outcome, are unwelcome. German citizens do not need or expect to be complimented. In Germany, it is assumed that everything is satisfactory unless the person hears otherwise. Punctuality is necessity in Germany. Arrive on time for every appointment, whether for business or social. Being late, even if it is only by a few minutes, is very insulting to a German executive. In business situations, shake hands at both the beginning and the end of a meeting. Additionally, a handshake may be accompanied with a slight bow. Reciprocating the nod is a good way to make a good impression, as failure to respond with this nod/bow (especially a superior) may get you off to a bad start. Be sure to look directly into the person's eyes while shaking hands. When being introduced to a woman, wait to see if she extends her hand. Business is viewed as being very serious, and Germans do not appreciate humor in a business context. In business meetings, age takes precedence over youth. If you are in a group setting, the eldest person enters first. Germans keep a larger personal space around them, approximately 6 inches more space than North Americans do. However, it is not unusual that when in line at a store cash register, Germans will crowd up very close to the person in front of them. People that have worked together for years still shake hands each morning as if it were the first time they met. German men frequently great each other with Herr 'last name', even when they know each other very well. Germans are able to consume large quantities of beer in one evening, but public drunkenness is not acceptable. It is best to know your limits, especially in Bavaria where two liters of beer is an ordinary evening. Pace yourself and eat plenty of food.

Typically, you do not wait to be seated in German restaurants, and it is not uncommon to share a table with strangers. However, most Germans will think it odd if you try to initiate a conversation with them beyond just establishing that the chairs are available. German Communications German is the official language. Approximately ninety-nine percent of the population speaks German. However, there are several different dialects in the various regions. Germans love to talk on the telephone. While important business decisions are not made over the phone, expect many follow up calls or faxes. Germans guard their private life, so do not phone a German executive at home without permission. Titles are very important to Germans. Do your best to address people by their full, correct title, no matter how extraordinarily long that title may seem to foreigners. This is also true when addressing a letter. http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/germany.htm