Taking stock in our progress on individualism-collectivism: 100 years of solidarity and community

Abstract

The tension existing between an inherent desire for companionship and personal identity forms the basis for one of the most highly researched cultural and personal dimensions in the field of management. This dichotomy, commonly called individualism-collectivism, is the focus of our review. Although much attention has been drawn toward this construct, its operationalization and measure have been problematic. In our review, we examine the theoretical and empirical bases for individualism and collectivism and its application in the field of organizational studies.