Power distance

(Factors affecting obedience)

What is power distance?

The extent to which less powerful members of organizations accept that power is distributed unequally.

Meaning of SPD and LPD?

Societies or organizations with small power distance, large power distance

LDP & SPD view on inequality

LPD: Considered as normal part of society

SPD: Considered as wrong and should be reduced

LDP & SPD view on superiors

LPD- People higher up a hierarchy are different kinds of people (more important)

SPD- Hierarchy is important rules to the game for order but superiors are not more important

LPD & SPD views on power

LPD- Power comes first, good and evil decided after

SPD- Power should be used legitimately and everyone should be under the same rules of law

LDP & SPD views on child education

LPD: Respect for elders/ superiors is key

SPD: Independence is key

LDP & SPD views on organizations

LPD: Centralized preferred

SPD: Decentralized preferred

LDP & SPD views on subordinates

LPD- Expect to be told what to do

SPD- Expect to be consulted on work related matters

How is Power distance measured?

Using the power distance index (PDI) with scores from 0 (lowest power distance) to 100 (highest)

Countries with small and large PDI

Large- Russia, Mexico, China

Small- Denmark

How is Power distance validated?

The PDI correlates with:

Amount of income inequality, middle class size, violence/ peaceful nature of politics.

LPD= More income inequality, small middle class, violent nature of politics

SPD= Less income inequality, larger middle class, peaceful conflict resolution

Business executives in LPD vs SPD

LPD= older, innovation only happens if supported by hierarchy.

SPD= younger, innovation is frequent and spontaneous.

Stability of power distance

Despite a small global shift to lower power distance, power distance in each countries has stayed similar throughout history due to it being passed down from parent to child.