ABSTRACT

 
Article : CULTURAL PATTERNS AND SOCIAL CHANGE IN CONTEMPORARY ALBANIA: A HOFSTED E-BASED ANALYSIS
Author Name : Ramiola Kalemi
Abstract : The study examines Hofstede#34sigs cultural dimensions in Albanian society, their relationship with the country#34sigs political culture, communication patterns, civic participation, migration, and institutional development within the context of globalization. It uses a qualitative research approach and data triangulation for the 2023-2025 period, drawing on official secondary data sources and combining theoretical perspectives with institutional data from UNDP, INSTAT, OECD, the European Commission, UNESCO, and other relevant institutions. The paper offers a critical analysis of Albanian cultural traits in relation to institutional functioning and dynamics in a globalized context. Findings show Albania exhibits a unique blend of high power distance, collectivist tendencies, competitive communication, high uncertainty avoidance, medium-long-term orientation, and restraint-oriented culture elements. This cultural structure is linked to low institutional trust, high perceived corruption, the significant role of family and political networks, strong migration tendencies, and barriers to civic participation. However, the study argues that these trends are not solely the results of a deterministic cultural model, but also influenced by weak institutional capacity, political polarization, transformations in mass media, educational challenges, and changes in public communication. The relevance of Hofstede#34sigs model for analyzing Albanian society lies in its critical application alongside theories of institutional trust, intercultural communication, and social change.
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