Why anthropocentric organization models don't succeed in Portugal? A cultural perspective using Hofstede's cultural dimensions

Ferreira, Pedro (2008): Why anthropocentric organization models don't succeed in Portugal? A cultural perspective using Hofstede's cultural dimensions. Published in: Business Sustainability 2008 Conference Proceedings (2008)

Abstract

In Europe, anthropocentric organization models – an updated version of the sociotechnique approach – had their maximum expression in the Swedish model, which came to be known as “uddevalism” or “volvoism”. Several factors were presented as conditioners of this success [1], and some critical factors to the success of that organization models were pointed out for the special case of LIMS (Less Industrialized Member States), such as Portugal. Furthermore, there is some evidence that stress the lack of success of anthropocentric models in Portugal. However, in any case, it wasn’t paid much attention to the importance of culture as a booster of the introduction of new organization models. The purpose of this paper is to assess the viability of the general and exploratory hypothesis that national culture is an important factor to consider in the success of new organization models. Considering that the example which best expresses the anthropocentric approach came from Sweden, this assessment will be based on the confrontation of Portuguese and Swedish cultural characteristics using Hofstede’s cultural dimensions.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Management; Culture dimensions; Innovation; New organization models
• Subjects: L - Industrial Organization > L2 - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior > L23 - Organization of Production; M - Business Administration and Business Economics ; Marketing ; Accounting ; Personnel Economics > M5 - Personnel Economics > M54 - Labor Management

References

Durand, J.P., Questions sur une brisure, in La fin du modèle suédois, J.P. Durand, Editor. 1994, Paris: Syros. pp. 12-39.

Kovács, Ilona; Moniz, A.B.; Mateus, Augusto, Introduction of Anthropocentric Automated Systems in Portugal: problems and trends, 1990. APS Research Papers, CEC/FAST, vol. 16, FOP 260, Bruxelles: CEC

Ferreira, Pedro, Condições de Implementação dos Sistemas Antropocêntricos de Produção: estudo de caso no sector da metalomecânica, 2001. Lisboa: ISEG/UTL (Master’s dissertation, not published)

Kovács, Ilona, Sistemas Antropocêntricos de Produção. Uma alternativa para a Europa?, in Novos Modelos de Produção. Trabalho e pessoas Ilona Kovács e Juan José Castillo. 1998. Oeiras: Celta Editora, pp. 93-114.

Kovács, Ilona; Ferreira, J.M Carvalho; Santos, M. João, Mudança Tecnológica e Organizacional: análise de tendências na indústria. SOCIUS Working Papers, n.º 2/94. 1994. Lisboa: UTL.

Wobbe, Werner, Anthropocentric Production Systems: a strategig issue for Europe, APS Research Papers, CEC/FAST, vol. 1, FOP 245, 1991. Bruxelles: CEC.

Sandberg, Ake, The Uddevalla experience in perspective, in Enriching Production. Perspectives on Volvo’s Uddevalla plant as an alternative to lean production. Ake Sandberg, Editor. 1995. Aldershot: Avebury, pp. 1-32

Ellegard, Kajsa, The creation of a new production system at the Volvo automobile assembly plant in Uddevalla, Sweden, in Enriching Production. Perspectives on Volvo’s Uddevalla plant as an alternative to lean production. Ake Sandberg. Editor. 1995. Aldershot: Avebury, pp. 37-59

Nilsson, Lennart, The Uddevalla plant: why did it succeed with a holistic approach and why did it come to an end?, in Enriching Production. Perspectives on Volvo’s Uddevalla plant as an alternative to lean production, Ake Sandberg. Editor. 1995. Aldershot: Avebury, pp.

Hofstede, Geert, Culture’s Consequences. 1980. Beverly Hills CA: Sage

Hofstede, Geert. Culturas e Organizações. Compreender a nossa programação mental. 1997. Lisboa: Edições Sílabo

Hofstede, Geert, The cultural relativity of organizational practices and theories, Journal of International Business Studies. 1983. 14, pp. 75-89

McSweeney, Brendan, Hofstede’s model of national cultural differences and their consequences: a triumph of faith – a failure of analysis, Human Relations. 2002. 55 (1), pp. 89-118

Hofstede, Geert, Dimensions do not exist. A reply to Brendan McSweeney. Human Relations. 2002. 55 (11) pp. 1355-1361

O’Siochrù, Sean, Propects for APS in Less Industrialised Member States – Synthesis Report, 1990. APS Research Papers, CEC/FAST, vol. 6, FOP 250, Bruxelles: CEC