Today’s episode is a bit of a back-to-school episode. Until now you have heard truly insightful stories from automotive executives that have navigated different cultures. Today we break out the chalkboard and try to fit a simple, yet complex, framework around those conversations. That framework was developed by Geert Hofstede.

Let’s have a short introduction to Geert Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions. Based on research that he conducted in the 1970’s, Hofstede constructed six cultural dimensions by which different countries or cultures could be compared on a relative basis. These help to create context and understanding for differences that one could see or feel but not really explain.

The six dimensions are the Individualism vs. Collectivism Dimension, the Power Distance Dimension, the Uncertainty Avoidance Dimension, the Masculinity vs. Femininity Dimension, the Long-Term vs. Short-Term Orientation, and the Indulgence vs. Restraint Dimension. The names already hint at what each may be about.

Host John Stech provides a brief tour of Hofstede’s six cultural dimensions. He provides short examples from his automotive career for each dimension, helping to understand each. As a German immigrant to the United States, he had always felt a bit out of sync with peers. The “ah-ha” moment came when he first read Hofstede’s cultural dimensions. The light bulb came on.

This is just a short introduction to Hofstede’s work. Volumes have been written about it and other works are based on it. For more information, it is recommended to visit the website. There you can find the maps visible in the video version of this podcast. You can also find other resources, such as a tool where you can pick several countries and see how they line up on the six dimensions. This can be fascinating if you have a specific culture in mind. You can find these at https://www.geerthofstede.com .

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The news media are continuously reporting on the declining fortunes of foreign automakers in China. But what are the manufacturers doing to turn that story around? In this episode of The Auto Ethnographer, host John Jörn Stech takes a look into Volkswagen’s efforts to stem the decline and fuel a future rise.

Despite decades in China as one of the first automakers, and a commanding market share for most of those years, the market has shifted and Volkswagen has been struggling. The massive shift into EVs in the Chinese market seemed perfectly matched to VW’s own aspirations as an EV-focused brand. But something went wrong.

Volkswagen’s cars seemed to miss the mark with consumer tastes in terms of styling, electronics and digital functionality, and price. Pushed back on its heels, VW is now working to close the gap. They have formed several partnerships with local Chinese companies, such as Xpeng Motors and Contemporary Amperex Technologies Limited (CATL).

As important as the partnerships is the adaptation to working with the Chinese culture and adapting its strengths in rapid automotive development.

The Auto Ethnographer explores the situation, the solutions, and the direction that things are taking for Volkswagen. The jury is still out on the long term but the results of deep cultural changes and ways of working seem to be bearing fruit.

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#volkswagen #vw #chinarising #expatliving #cultureshock

Two weeks ago John Stech, host of The Auto Ethnographer, traveled from Bangkok to the Philippines to visit his wife’s family. Together with them, we traveled from Manila to the center of Luzon and then to La Union on the northwest corner of the island. There was much to see but one thing was a constant: the hard working Jeepney. This episode focuses on that Filipino icon.

Jeepney’s are unique to the Philippines. They originated from the Willys military Jeep, thousands of which were left behind by the United States Army at the end of World War 2. These vehicles were modified by lengthening their wheelbase, adding long benches in the bed, covering the seating with a roof, and then customizing them by the owner.

The result is the wildly colorful Jeepney, a rolling mural, a cultural icon on Filipino roads. Each is unique in style, in color, and in expression. Emblazoned with the owner’s name over the windshield, and the route and destination under the windshield, riders know immediately which Jeepney to take.

Passengers are wide-ranging from students to office workers to laborers, and even tourists. Whether passengers sit inside, or stand on the rear bumper platform, there is always space for one more. Luggage? On the roof. These versatile vehicles get everyone and everything where they need to go.

The Auto Ethnographer shares what he saw, his impressions, and what he learned about the humble, yet mighty, Jeepney during his five days on the island.

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Keep on driving!

#jeepney #philippines #cultureshock #expatlife #workabroad #jeep