This document discusses cultural dimensions of innovation based on research by Geert Hofstede. It analyzes Hofstede's cultural dimensions of various countries including the US, South Korea, Netherlands, and Mexico. It finds the US has very high individualism while South Korea and Mexico share cultural dimensions with other Latin American countries. The Netherlands has similar dimensions to other Scandinavian countries like low masculinity and uncertainty avoidance. The document also discusses how these cultural dimensions impact attitudes toward innovation and creativity.

1. Cultural Dimensions of Innovation http://files.gereports.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/GIB-results.pdf http://www.eiu.com/site_info.asp?info_name=cisco_innov_09&page=noads&rf=0 http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/03/0312_innovative_countries/1.htm http://www.geert-hofstede.com/geert_hofstede_resources.shtml

7. No. 2 – South KoreaOverall score: 2.26Innovation inputs score: 1.75Innovation performance score: 2.55GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $1.3 trillionForeign Direct Investment: $74.6 billion No. 3 – SwitzerlandOverall score: 2.23Innovation inputs score: 1.51Innovation performance score: 2.74GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $309.9 billionForeign Direct Investment: $621.7 billion No. 4 – IcelandOverall score: 2.17Innovation inputs score: 2.00Innovation performance score: 2.14GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $12.9 billion No. 5 – IrelandOverall score: 1.88Innovation inputs score: 1.59Innovation performance score: 1.99GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $198.5 billionForeign Direct Investment: $149.1 billion No. 6 – Hong KongOverall score: 1.88Innovation inputs score: 1.61Innovation performance score: 1.97GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $318.2 billionForeign Direct Investment: $1.1 trillion No. 7 – FinlandOverall score: 1.87Innovation inputs score: 1.76Innovation performance score: 1.81GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $201.2 billionForeign Direct Investment: $121.9 billion No. 8 – U.S.Overall score: 1.80Innovation inputs score: 1.28Innovation performance score: 2.16GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $14.6 trillionForeign Direct Investment: $2.7 trillion No. 9 – JapanOverall score: 1.79Innovation inputs score: 1.16Innovation performance score: 2.25GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $4.5 trillionForeign Direct Investment: $597 billion No. 10 – SwedenOverall score: 1.64Innovation inputs score: 1.25Innovation performance score: 1.88GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $358.4 billionForeign Direct Investment: $289.6 billion No. 11 – DenmarkOverall score: 1.60Innovation inputs score: 1.55Innovation performance score: 1.50GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $213.6 billionForeign Direct Investment: $163.2 billion

8. • Power Distance the degree of equality/inequality between people in a particular society• Individualism the degree to which a society reinforces individual or collective achievement and interpersonal relationships• Masculinity the degree societies reinforce, or do not reinforce, the traditional masculine work role model of male achievement, control, and power• Uncertainty Avoidance the level of acceptance for uncertainty and ambiguity within a society• Long-Term Orientation

9. There are only seven (7) countries in the GeertHofstede research that have Individualism (IDV) as their highest Dimension: USA (91), Australia (90), United Kingdom (89), Netherlands and Canada (80), and Italy (76). The high Individualism (IDV) ranking for the United States indicates a society with a more individualistic attitude and relatively loose bonds with others. The populace is more self-reliant and looks out for themselves and their close family members.

10. The low Individualism ranking is manifest in a close and committed member 'group', be that a family, extended family, or extended relationships. Loyalty in a collectivist culture is paramount. The society fosters strong relationships where everyone takes responsibility for fellow members of their group. South Korea displays Hofstede Dimensions similar to Latin American countries.

11. The Hofstede Dimensions for the Netherlands are very similar to that of other Scandinavian countries. A low Masculinity (MAS) may be indicative of a low level of differentiation and discrimination between genders. In this culture, females are treated more equally to males in all aspects of society. This low Masculinity ranking may also be displayed as a more openly nurturing society.

12. The Hofstede Dimensions for the Netherlands are very similar to that of other Scandinavian countries. A low Masculinity (MAS) may be indicative of a low level of differentiation and discrimination between genders. In this culture, females are treated more equally to males in all aspects of society. This low Masculinity ranking may also be displayed as a more openly nurturing society.

13. Mexico is similar to many Latin countries when Hofstede's Dimensions are compared and analyzed. Mexico's highest Hofstede Dimension is Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI) (82), indicating the society’s low level of tolerance for uncertainty. In an effort to minimize or reduce this level of uncertainty, strict rules, laws, policies, and regulations are adopted and implemented. The ultimate goal of this population is to control everything in order to eliminate or avoid the unexpected. As a result of this high Uncertainty Avoidance characteristic, the society does not readily accept change and is very risk adverse.

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