Power distance. High power distance means people accept inequality in
power among institutions, organizations, and individuals. Low power
distance means people expect equality in power. Countries that value high
power distance are Malaysia, the Philippines, and Panama. Countries that
value low power distance include Denmark, Austria, and Israel.
• Uncertainty avoidance. High uncertainty avoidance means that members of
a society feel uncomfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity and thus
support beliefs and behaviors that promise certainty and conformity.
Low uncertainty avoidance means that people have a high tolerance for
the unstructured, the unclear, and the unpredictable. High uncertainty
avoidance cultures include Greece, Portugal, and Uruguay. Singapore and
Jamaica are two countries with low uncertainty avoidance values.
• Individualism and collectivism. Individualism reflects a value for a loosely
knit social framework in which individuals are expected to take care of
themselves. Collectivism is a preference for a tightly knit social framework
in which people look out for one another and organizations protect their
members’ interests. Countries with individualist values include the United
States, Great Britain, and Canada. Countries with collectivist values are
Guatemala, Ecuador, and Panama.