Over the past few weeks, we’ve been talking about how tightness and looseness in culture can affect everything from workplace attitude and behavior to innovation.
E. Scott Geller’s article in EHSToday delves into how cultural tightness and looseness also impact occupational health and safety.
The article focuses on the work of Professor Gelfand, author of Rule Makers, Rule Breakers: How tight and loose cultures wire our world.
Gelfand identifies differences in approach and behavior across cultures regarding rules, regulations, and protocols.
In doing so, we may even begin to understand our cultural differences.
According to Professor Michele Gelfand,
“Tight-loose theory can help deepen our empathy toward those whose way just doesn’t sync with ours.”
What is Tight/Loose Theory?
Gelfand’s tight/loose theory, as detailed in her book, provides insights into the contrasting responses people exhibit when faced with regulations.
Some comply without argument, some reluctantly adhere, and others fight compliance, vocally and even physically.
But why?
These differences ultimately have to do with the tightness or looseness of culture.
Tight/Loose Cultures
Distinguishing between tighter countries (for instance, China, Germany, India, Japan, Pakistan, and Singapore) and looser countries (such as, Australia, New Zealand, Greece, the Netherlands, Spain, and the U.S.) comes down to various aspects of society.
Tighter countries tend to have autocratic governments, higher population densities, historical exposure to infectious diseases and national disasters, and fewer natural resources.
In these societies, solidarity is higher, contributing to successful pandemic control measures.
Conversely, looser countries exhibit higher immigrant populations, greater creativity, acceptance of diversity, free speech, and tolerance of change.
However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, looser countries faced challenges due to lower adherence to preventive behaviors.
Relationship Between Subjective Well-Being & Cultural Tightness
Gelfand and company discovered a curvilinear relationship between subjective well-being (SWB) and cultural tightness, with extremely tight and loose nations displaying the lowest SWB levels.
Not only that, but they had the lowest life expectancies and the lowest gross domestic product per capita.
Moderate countries had the highest SWB and lower suicide rates and depression levels.
This goes to show that extremism at any level is ultimately unhealthy for a society and ineffective.
Future of OHS Management
The cultural dynamic of tightness and looseness extends beyond national borders, impacting various aspects of life, including social norms, interpersonal behaviors, and reactions to occupational health and safety (OHS) rules.
Involving employees in shaping safety protocols and fostering a sense of autonomy can enhance OHS outcomes in diverse cultural contexts.
This nuanced understanding of cultural dynamics provides safety leaders with valuable insights for effective OHS management.
Success Across Cultures 