Achievement Orientation

The fourth Hofstede dimension goes by two different names. The current preferred name is "achievement orientation" (versus "quality of life"); in Hofstede's original work it was called "masculinity" (versus "femininity"). While some stick to the old nomenclature, most interculturalists have found the connection to gender to be so loaded that people can't think clearly: for many men, it's much easier to hear that you have a "quality of life" orientation than that you have a "feminine" orientation.

As the wording suggests, a strong achievement orientation means that when work-related goals come into conflict with other areas of life, the desire to achieve will win out. In the world of "work–life balance," the balance is tilted towards work.

Those with an achievement orientation also tend to prefer chain-of-command reporting structures, while quality-of-life adherents lean toward discussion and consensus.

China and the U.S. come out almost the same: 66 for China, 62 for the U.S., where 100 means pure achievement orientation. As an American, you can expect your Chinese counterparts on average to be as concerned as you are with getting the job done, and roughly as willing as you are to make sacrifices in non-work aspects of their lives in order to do so.

Be careful, though: a relatively high achievement orientation does not mean that the Chinese divide the professional from the personal in the same way Americans do. Yes, the Chinese are concerned with achievement; but that doesn't mean the Chinese spend as much time at the office and away from non-office social settings as Americans do. What might look to an American like "personal" activities — most notably dining out — are often strictly business affairs. You'll be expected to attend dinners, karaoke parties, and weekend getaways — none of which are considered must-do business activities in the U.S.

You can rest assured, though, that by and large, like you, your Chinese colleagues remain focused on achieving business goals, and, like you, are willing to make sacrifices in other areas of their lives in order to make it happen.