Hofstede’s Uncertainty Avoidance

Uncertainty Avoidance

Overview

    Uncertainty avoidance index (UAI) “indicates to what extent a culture programs its members to feel either uncomfortable or comfortable in unstructured situations” (Hofstede, 2011, p. 10). As Hofstede describes in 10 minutes with Geert Hofstede on Uncertainty Avoidance 01032015, uncertainty avoidance is not risk avoidance—he highlights how uncertainty-avoiding societies drive faster than uncertainty-accepting societies, despite there being a risk to doing so. Uncertainty-avoiding societies are likely to have “strict behavioural codes, laws and rules, disapproval of deviant opinions, and a belief in absolute Truth,” whereas uncertainty-accepting societies would have fewer of these features (Hofstede, 2011, p. 10). The validity of this dimension has been questioned by Schmitz and Weber (2014), who were unable to replicate Hofstede’s findings, suspecting that the results are specific to the original IBM sample, which “is neither to be used as a standard of cross-national comparisons, nor as the basis for general descriptions about countries as wholes” (p. 21).

Similarities and Differences Between Japan and Canada

    According to Hofstede's website, Canada scores 48 and Japan scores 92 on uncertainty; higher scores mean more uncertainty avoidance. In my experience, Japan does seem to have more rules and strict behavioural codes than Canada, but I am unsure how different these countries are on other variables of this dimension. For example, while it may sound silly, I have seen plenty of speeding vehicles in Canada and Japan, so there are also similarities. However, I wonder how many of these variables depend on other factors, like whether someone is urban or rural, if they are more progressive or conservative, and so on. This dimension may also be significantly influenced by generation.

Additional Thoughts

    In a document I found online, the UAI “ultimately refers to man’s search for Truth” (Hofstede, 2009, p. 2). This is extremely confusing. Assuming the questions we were asked in class were the same as those asked to IBM employees in Hofstede’s study (which I think they are), how does Hofstede think in any way he would be able to approximate a society’s tendency to search for truth? The question, for instance, relating to whether people should be required to carry identity cards with them is not even truth-apt. Nor is the question concerning whether children should be raised with chaos and uncertainty or structure. I think interpretations of these questions would be more related to risk avoidance, and not even traceable to one’s tendency to search for truth.    

References

Hofstede, G. (2009). Geert Hofstede cultural dimensions

Hofstede, G. (2011). Dimensionalizing Cultures: The Hofstede Model in Context. Online Readings in Psychology and Culture, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.9707/2307-0919.1014

Schmitz, L., & Weber, W. (2014). Are Hofstede's dimensions valid? A test for measurement invariance of uncertainty avoidance. interculture journal: Online-Zeitschrift für interkulturelle Studien, 13(22), 11-26.

Comments

  1. FeliciaDecember 1, 2025 at 10:14 PM

    I really like the depth of how you explained this concept, I understand it in a different way now so thanks. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. TakumiDecember 1, 2025 at 10:18 PM

    Nations with high uncertainty avoidance(japan) may have systems of lifetime employment whereby dismissals are rare and turnover is low.
    I'm wondering which high or low is better.

    ReplyDelete
  3. NoraDecember 1, 2025 at 10:21 PM

    I think the interpretation of the questions can be too broad? Nice blog tho

    ReplyDelete

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