Of Orrefors and Noritake: or, has Geert Hofstede something to say about web site design?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to look at Geert Hofstede's five dimensions of culture.Design/methodology/approach – Reviews Hofstede's web site and numerous of his writings.Findings – The distinctive sites mentioned are a reflection of Swedish and Japanese dimensions of culture respectively. In a global village, where the web is almost ubiquitous, this kind of understanding is more important than ever.Originality/value – Considers the value that Hofstede's paradigm, or perhaps another cross‐cultural analytical tool, might have in enhancing understanding of web design and usability.