How valid are the Hofstede dimensions?
Dimensions of culture are group-level constructs that are derived from questionnaires. So they depend on 1) what questions were asked, 2) to whom these questions where asked, 3) when they were asked, 4) how the researchers interpreted the results. All authors have made their own choices. The Hofstede study had the benefit of 1) a broad set of practical questions easily understood by respondents, 2) a very large, very well matched sample of respondents, 3) a politically relaxed climate, 4) an analysis that put the data first. This is still a big asset. The Hofstede dimensions are validated by having strong correlations with numerous nation-level phenomena.
