Measuring sociocultural characteristics according to the six indicators of the Hofstede model: testing the toolkit for calculating values at the individual level

Abstract

The study is devoted to the adaptation and testing in Russian conditions of the internationally recognised toolkit for measuring the values of socio-cultural characteristics according to the Hofstede model at the individual level. The results of approbation on the basis of a sociological study of the Arctic territories of the Republic of Karelia (n=1042) conducted in 2023 were presented. The territorial specificity of the values of socio-cultural characteristics of individuals according to the Hofstede model was determined, as well as their expression in the context of social groups (in particular, gender). The greatest differences can be traced for the indicator "masculinity", and the minimum differences for the indicator "collectivism". The relevance of the model of cultural indicators was checked and the convergence of measurements was assessed. The techniques of factor analysis by principal component analysis (PCA), multidimensional scaling (ALSCAL), and hierarchical cluster analysis were applied. The quality of factor analysis was checked on the basis of Bartlett sphericity criterion values and Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin statistics of the sampling adequacy measure. Also, to check the reliability of the tools used, the results of the authors and the developers of the methodology were compared using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α). The obtained values of the coefficient indicate high reliability of the used toolkit, as well as confirm the preservation of the scales' measuring ability after translation for five indicators out of six. For the sixth indicator, "long-term goal-setting", it is reasonable to adjust the translation of the questions based on the relatively lower Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α). Nomological validity analysis confirmed the relevance of the presented tool. This allows us to speak about the achievement of the research goal and successful adaptation and validation of the actual toolkit for calculating the values of sociocultural characteristics according to Hofstede model at the level of individuals in the conditions of Russia. The applied scales are characterised by high reliability and validity. The prospect of further research is to expand the geography of the toolkit application and to compile an ethnometric database of the regions of AZRF on the values of socio-cultural characteristics according to the Hofstede model measured at the level of individuals, to analyse the patterns of spatial differentiation of indicators, as well as to study the aspects of influence within the triad "space - socio-cultural specifics of individuals - reproduction of human capital”.