Dimensions of Culture: Understanding Thai working and management styles

Cross cultural researchers have asked to what extent culture affects working and management styles of people in a given society. On the one hand, it can be argued that the `core functions¿ of management should be common throughout the world. Working and management styles, therefore, should not be different across cultures. On the other hand, specific management practices, said some experts, are in fact influenced by culture and therefore management practices should be tailored in accordance with a given cultural environment. The purpose of this paper is to a) review Hofstede¿s four cultural dimensions and its significances to management practices; b) reveal the relationship between the cultural dimensions and working and management styles in Thailand; c) offer management implications on effective working and management styles within a Thai cultural environment. It also provides guideline details for understanding Thai working environment.