Cultural Dimensions: A Comparative Analysis of Aviation Students in China and the U.S.

Authors

Julius Keller, Purdue UniversityFollow
Yu Wang, Purdue UniversityFollow
Jacqueline CooneyFollow
Anthony ErstadFollow
Chientsung LuFollow

Prior Publisher

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Abstract

Research has shown cultural dimensions can provide insight into effective management within diverse work and school environments. (Sandal & Manzey, 2009). In this study, researchers distributed a research questionnaire based on Hofstede’s original four cultural dimensions: power distance, masculinity vs femininity, uncertainty avoidance and individualism vs collectivism. Participants were recruited from two collegiate aviation programs, one in China and the other in the United States.

Independent t-tests were used to compare mean cultural dimensions scores for the groups. Study findings suggested significant differences between the two groups for the cultural dimensions: power distance, masculinity vs femininity and individualism vs collectivism. No significant difference was found for the dimension of uncertainty avoidance. Additionally, two open-ended questions were used to further investigate perceptions within the cultural dimensions of uncertainty avoidance and masculinity vs femininity. Similar and contrasting themes were discussed.

Scholarly Commons Citation

Keller, J., Wang, Y., Cooney, J., Erstad, A., & Lu, C. (2015). Cultural Dimensions: A Comparative Analysis of Aviation Students in China and the U.S.. International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace, 2(3). DOI: https://doi.org/10.58940/2374-6793.1065