Exotic Denmark - The country far from the happy medium

Exotic Denmark – The country far from the happy medium

Recession or not. There is a broad and definite consensus saying that for Denmark it is a matter of positioning oneself in the fight for personnel on the international labour market, seen in the light of the much sought after knowledge workers and the ageing population. But what is Denmark like as a country to work in? What does Denmark look like to foreign employees? And what might surprise foreign labour

The “strange” Danes: Seven characteristics
Contrary to the general opinion among Danes, Denmark can actually be seen as a very exotic and in many ways extreme country. That is, in international and labour market comparisons. In international studies, Denmark nearly always comes out in extreme positions – far from the “happy medium” and “the average” that we Danes present ourselves with. There are at least seven extreme and exotic characteristics about the Danish national and working culture:

1. Denmark - the most egalitarian country in the world
In international studies, Denmark comes out as one of the absolutely most egalitarian countries in the world; i.e. a country where age, rank and family name are considered essentially to be without great importance. Where there should be equality and equal opportunity. If you take a look at Richard Gestelan’s illustrated cultural pattern, you can see the cultural relationship to authorities and hierarchical differences, and here Denmark comes out in an extreme position as illustrated below.

Figure 1: Egalitarian versus hierarchical. Freely after R. Gesteland: Cross cultural Business Behavior, 2005.

For most foreigners, what potentially causes problems in the labour market are to a great extent the consequences of the equality mind set, such as - seen from outside looking in – our lack of respect for superiors, the informal way of talking with one another and our dissociation from status symbols, elites and hierarchies. That, which in other countries is regarded as impolite and showing a lack of respect, in Denmark is looked upon as honesty and straightforwardness. We like calling ‘a spade, a spade’ even if somebody gets offended. There is little respect for age and the ability to accept direct instructions (orders) is relatively undeveloped.

2. Scandinavian management
Egalitarianism can be seen to a high degree in the management style. Denmark is characterized by relatively flat organizational structures with a short distance from the top to the bottom, both mentally and financially. The management style can be characterized as dialogue-orientated and participatory with dissociation from power, hierarchy and status symbols. Democratic discussions, participatory decision-making, empowerment and values are code words.

If one looks at the organizational culture in Denmark seen in relation to the Dutch professor Geert Hofstede's classic culture studies, the southern variety of the Scandinavian management style appears. The figure below illustrates that Denmark is characterized by:

• A low power distance (PDI), which has already been explained in detail in the previous section on egalitarianism.
• A high score on individualism (IDV), i.e that connections between single individuals are relatively loose and it is expected that people can work independently.
• A low score on masculinity (MAS), i.e that “feminine” values such as modesty, consensus, care and empathy are high on the agenda while a competitive mentality, assertion (impact and dominance) and inequality come a long way down the list.
• A low score on uncertainty avoidance (UAI), i.e that a willingness to take risks and a readiness for change are high.

Hofstede 2008

Robot-like disciplinary management has many difficulties in such an environment and there are few people who thrive on practicing such kind of management. The Nordic leadership and soft values are "in" and renowned.

3. Equality of the sexes
Everybody is equal (even though some are more equal than others...). Egalitarianism also comes through in relations between the sexes. From a global perspective, there are few places where gender plays only a small part in relation to obtain senior positions. Danish women in general enjoy so much personal freedom that they are now getting lifestyle illnesses, which men monopolized in earlier generations.

Or even if it is “not quite kosher” as it is called in modern Danish there is in modern workplaces parental leave of absence for fathers and “father and child gymnastics”.

4. The Scandinavian fertility regime
A rumor says that the only thing, apart from an exiting job, that can entice a foreigner to take employment in Denmark, with the worst weather and the highest taxes, is the beautiful Danish women. From an international perspective, the free, strong and highly educated women can in other words be seen as a brand which has not yet been fully exploited.

Danish women are quite exotic, as a high education combined with good possibilities for child-care means high female participation in the labour market. The combination of high employment and relatively high reproduction is referred to as the Scandinavian fertility regime - Scandinavian because we share these characteristic with Norway and Sweden.

5. Ethnic homogeneity
Even though the debate in the Danish media could at times give the impression that the multi-cultural society is just on the door-step, Denmark is essentially the country where the ethnic Danes live. Only around 9.1% of the Danish population is made up of foreigners:

Figure 3. Facts and figures: Population statistics on foreigners. Copenhagen, June 2008.

6. Globetrotters with a village mentality
According to the latest national competence account (2005), Danes are quite international if one looks solely at foreign travel and knowledge of foreign languages. When it comes to social intercourse with people from other cultures at the workplace or in leisure time it is another story. The Danes’ character in relation to intercultural competence in the competence account leaves a lot to be desired in that only 5% of the population is characterized with a high intercultural competence whilst as many as 68% are characterized as having low intercultural competence.

Danes can perhaps be characterized as a collection of globetrotters who, however, do not necessarily open up or change as a result of contact with foreigners. Rather they close ranks around the known group in the ‘village’. However, the lack of intercultural competences can also be seen as a sign that Denmark is a sensitive and reserved country seen from an international perspective.

7. The Tick – our most dangerous animal
Denmark’s most dangerous animal is the forest tick. No piranhas, snakes, malaria mosquitos or polar bears. The weather is unpredictable but essentially good natured. Denmark is secure, clean (hygienic) and safe.

Welcome to the worlds happiest country!
The Danes are, according to many international studies amongst the world’s happiest people when it comes to life in general and work life. How easy it will be to give out our happiness is hard to say in advance, but for you to find out.

We at Jobindex wish you the best of luck.

Links:
https://www.workindenmark.dk/
http://www.bm.dk/Beskaeftigelsesomraadet/Flere%20i%20arbejde/Udlaendiges%20arbejde%20i%20Danmark/Guide%20til%20det%20danske%20arbejdsmarked.aspx