Cultural values in Malaysia: Chinese, Malays and Indians compared

Abstract

Discusses various cultures around the world and examines some models of national culture particularly those of Hofstede and Schwartz. It reports some findings on cultural differences between the main ethnic groups in Malaysia (Malays, Chinese and Indian) using an instrument based in part on Schwartz's seven dimensions. Further, differences between managers and their subordinates are examined. Two conclusions are that there are few significant differences in cultural values between the three ethnic groups but there are highly significant differences between subordinates and their superiors, in the sample of 324 Malaysians investigated.