Evaluación del individualismo y colectivismo horizontal y vertical en la sociedad Chilena.

Abstract

This research analyzes individualism and vertical and horizontal collectivism in Chile according to Triandis (1985) typology. This is a survey-based descriptive study, with a sample of 558 administrative employees of three different organizations. Results support the idea that individualism and collectivism are not opposite dimensions, that coexist and may complement each other. The Chilean society remains collectivist but horizontal individualism is emerging and becoming more important. Both vertical and horizontal collectivism are positively related with age, years worked in the same place, and negatively associated with educational level. Women get higher ratings of horizontal individualism and men get higher vertical collectivism ratings. Using cluster analysis five different segments were found: independent collectivists, pure collectivists, idiocentric collectivists, alocentric individualists and renegades. Finally, potential causes and implications of these findings are discussed.