The

dimensions of culture 

Developed in the 90s by Fons Trompenaars and Charles Hampden-Turner, the 7D is one of the most well reputed models to understand cultural differences

What is it about?

Based on the three universal problems, Trompenaars Hampden Turner’s research distinguishes
SEVEN DIMENSIONS OF CULTURE that affect the process of managing across cultures.


The first five dimensions refer to HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS:
they can be observed in how we interact with the others.

The last two pertains to the use of TIME
and the relationship with the ENVIRONMENT.

Human Relationship

Universalism
Particularism
Individualism
Communitarianism
Specific
Diffuse
Neutral
Affective
Achievement
Ascription
Time
Time
Past
Present
Future
Short term
Long term
Sequential
Synchronic
Environment

Internal
External

Do we control it
or are we controlled by it?

In every culture in the world such phenomena as authority, bureaucracy, creativity, good fellowship, verification and accountability are experienced in different ways. The essence of culture is not what is visible on the surface. It is the shared ways groups of people understand and interpret the world. In every culture a limited number of general, universally shared human problems need to be solved. The problems are shared by mankind; their solutions are not and therefore allowing to distinguish one culture from another.

Culture is like an onion

Learn more on the seven dimensions

Visit our Culture Factory
and travel around the world

Based on Fons Trompenaars’ Seven Dimension of Culture model and data of over 140 countries to explore.