When East Meets West
Impact of Cultural Differences on Crisis Management during Covid-19
Abstract
This study examines the role of cultural differences in shaping government responses during the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) via Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Theory. The analysis will focus on the epicenters in the East and West –– Wuhan City, China and New York City, United States –– during the initial outbreak of the pandemic, on the three key dimensions: individualism-collectivism, indulgence vs restraint, and long-term vs short-term orientation. This study reveals that China’s collectivist, restrained, and long-term oriented culture facilitated unified action while New York City’s individualistic, indulgent, and short-term-oriented society experienced delays in implementing restrictive measures, due to concern about personal liberty. The findings suggest that culturally attuned public health strategies are crucial for effective management amidst public health crises.