The reflexivity between ICTs and business culture: Applying Hofstede's theory to compare Norway and the United States

This study compares how workers in Norway and the United States use Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Our data-72 in-depth interviews of advanced ICT users -were coded, analyzed, and placed into Hofstede's four dimensional framework (power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism, and masculinity). We proposed that ICT use comparisons between the two countries are congruent to Hofstede's findings. We find partial support for these propositions. As expected, Norway and the US are similar on two dimensions (power distance and uncertainty avoidance), but contrary to expectations, they are also similar on the two dimensions where we expected differences (individualism and masculinity). We suggest possible explanations for these findings, including our focus on an expert-user subculture, external triggering events, and technical codes inscribed in Internet applications and software.