Uncertainty avoidance
uncertainty avoidance is high in both germany and Thailand. However, one has to be careful with the interpretation. While the germans have developed elaborate formal systems in a system of rules, laws or quality standards to control their environment objectively . the Thais have an elaborate informal system based on religion and behavioural norms to control their environment . The very low uncertainty
avoidance of Singapore can be explained by the fact that the
responsibility to worry about the future of Singaporeans has
been assumed by the government, and therefore the individ
-
ual feels with certainty that the government will take care
of all important matters (Baker 1999). Especially during the
time of Hofstede”s study the latter view may have prevailed,
whereas the Asian crisis of 1997 and the more recent crises of
SARS and economic decline have shattered this confidence in
the Singaporean government