Uncertainty Avoidance in Cultures

Definition of Uncertainty Avoidance

• Uncertainty Avoidance: Extent to which members of a culture feel threatened by ambiguous and unknown situations.
• Distinction from Risk Avoidance.
• Two extremes:
  • Uncertainty Avoiding Societies: See uncertainty as a threat.
  • Uncertainty Accepting Societies: View uncertainty as normal.

Characteristics of Societies

Uncertainty Avoiding Societies

• Higher levels of stress and anxiety.
• Aggression and emotions may be vented.
• View differences as dangerous (xenophobia).
• Strong need for rules, even if impractical.
• Innovation is adopted slowly.
• Job stability is prioritized; changing jobs is seen as uncertain.

Uncertainty Accepting Societies

• Lower levels of stress and anxiety.
• Aggression and emotions are controlled.
• Differences are viewed with curiosity.
• Flexible view on rules; willing to break them when necessary.
• Faster adoption of innovation.
• Changing jobs is common and accepted.

Measurement of Uncertainty Avoidance

• No absolute standard; comparison between countries.
• Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI): Ranges from 0 (weak) to 100 (strong).
• Example Scores:
  • High UAI: Russia, Japan, France, Mexico, Italy, Arab countries.
  • Low UAI: Netherlands, Australia, United States, India, Britain, China, Denmark.

Applications of the UAI

• Correlation with various societal phenomena:
  • Driving behavior: Faster driving in high UAI societies despite increased risk.
  • Alcoholism: More prevalence in uncertainty avoiding societies.
  • Identification: Carrying ID is compulsory in high UAI societies.
  • Healthcare: More doctors in high UAI; more nurses in low UAI.
  • Corruption perception: Higher in uncertainty avoiding societies.
  • Marketing: Clean products favored in high UAI; convenience products in low UAI.

Organizational Perceptions by UAI and Power Distance

• Power Distance: Not directly related to UAI.
• Organizational Imagery based on combinations of Power Distance and UAI:
  • Low Power Distance & Low UAI: Organizations seen as markets (e.g., U.S., Nordic countries).
  • Low Power Distance & High UAI: Organizations as machines (e.g., Germany, Austria).
  • High Power Distance & High UAI: Organizations as pyramids (e.g., France, Japan).
  • High Power Distance & Low UAI: Organizations as families (e.g., China, India).

Stability of UAI Scores

• UAI reflects values transferred from parents to children; tends to be stable after adulthood.
• Historical data shows oscillation in UAI scores due to global events:
  • Increases during wars and economic crises.
  • Decreases during periods of peace and stability.
• Relative positions of countries remain unchanged despite these oscillations.