Uncertainty avoidance and facework: A test of the Hofstede model

This study tested whether Hofstede's Uncertainty Avoidance dimension of culture is an important predictor for understanding national differences. To determine this, an analysis of survey data was carried out in six countries: Chile, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Sweden and the United States. This replication study tested Hofstede's conclusions of 1980 and 2001 about the role of uncertainty in facework, the action taken to maintain or gain face. As hypothesized, multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) results showed that, while controlling for social desirability effects, uncertainty avoidance influences ritualistic, harmonious, and aggressive facework strategies in an embarrassing situation. Therefore, this successful replication of Hofstede's assertions as applied to facework confirms that uncertainty avoidance exerts a significant influence on facework communication strategies.