VSM dimensions


Power Distance Index (PDI) 
Power Distance is defined as the extent to which the less powerful members of institutions and organizations within a society expect and accept that power is distributed unequally. A low score demonstrates flat hierarchical relationship whereas a high score indicates more rigid hierarchical relationship.

Individualism Index (IDV) 
Individualism  (high score) is the opposite of Collectivism (low score). Individualism stands for a society in which the ties between individuals are loose: a person is expected to look after himself or herself and his or her immediate family only. Collectivism stands for a society in which people from birth onwards are integrated into strong, cohesive in-groups, which continue to protect them throughout their lifetime in exchange for unquestioning loyalty.

Masculinity Index (MAS) 
Masculinity (high score) is the opposite of Femininity (low score). Masculinity stands for a society in which social gender roles are clearly distinct: men are supposed to be assertive, tough, and focused on material success; women are supposed to be more modest, tender, and concerned with the quality of life. Femininity stands for a society in which social gender roles overlap: both men and women are supposed to be modest, tender, and concerned with the quality of life.

Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI) 
Uncertainty Avoidance is defined as the extent to which the members of institutions and organizations within a society feel threatened by uncertain, unknown, ambiguous, or unstructured situations. The greater the score the more this feelings is important.

Long Term Orientation Index (LTO) 
Long Term Orientation (high score) is the opposite of Short Term Orientation (low score). Long Term Orientation stands for a society which fosters virtues oriented towards future rewards, in particular adaptation, perseverance and thrift. Short Term orientation stands for a society which fosters virtues related to the past and present, in particular respect for tradition, preservation of “face”, and fulfilling social obligations.

A very limited number of city have a LTO score.

Indulgence versus Restraint Index (IVR)
Indulgence (high score) is the opposite of Restraint (low score). Indulgence stands for a society which allows relatively free gratification of some desires and feelings, especially those that have to do with leisure, merrymaking with friends, spending, consumption and sex. Its opposite pole, Restraint, stands for a society which controls such gratification, and where people feel less able to enjoy their lives.


Source: VSM08 manual, Hofstede 2008

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