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Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions: Jamaica

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Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions: Jamaica

Gerard Hendrik Hofstede was born on October 2, 1928 in The Netherlands. He received his PhD in social psychology in 1967. Dr. Hofstede founded and managed the Personnel Research Department at IBM International. IBM is where he began his research on culture, which led to his Cultural Dimensions Theory. Dr. Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory consists of a model on national culture. The national culture model is made up of six dimensions: Power Distance, Individualism, Masculinity, Uncertainty Avoidance, Long Term Orientation and Indulgence.

Jamaica is an island located in the Caribbean Sea. The island is just over 4,200 square miles and is just south of Cuba. There are currently 2.9 million people living in Jamaica. The Arawaks, also called Tainos, originally inhabited the island. The Arawaks were from South America and called the island Xaymaca, which meant “land of wood and water”. Christopher Columbus landed on the island on May 5, 1494 after the Cubans described the island as “the land of blessed gold”. The island did not contain gold. Columbus claimed the land for Spain and enslaved the Arawaks. The Arawaks quickly died off from disease and the harsh conditions of their newfound enslavement. The Spanish used the island as a supply base. Horses, men, food and arms were shipped and stored in Jamaica to aid in the conquering of America.

The English attacked Jamaica on May 10, 1655. The Spanish surrendered and fled to Cuba. Buccaneers (sea thugs) came to the island and settled in a town called Port Royal, with a loot of silver, gold and jewels in tote. Under the leadership of the buccaneers, Port Royal became known as the “wealthiest and wickedest city in the world”. The buccaneers kept the Spanish from attacking the island, which pleased Britain. The leader of the buccaneers, Captain Henry Morgan (yes,

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