2. The extend to which the less powerful members of the
institutions and organizations within a country expect and
accept that power is distributed unequally.
It is the way society handles equality.
Power, wealth, status, wisdom, talent etc. influences the
concept of inequality.
Inconsistencies can occur between these areas.
An attempt to make these areas more consistent will increase
the power distance.
3. Research among IBM employees of 50
countries
Power distance index (higher the score,
larger the power distance)
dependence relationships in a country
Measuring inequality
4. Level of dependence of subordinates on
bosses
Decision making style
Emotional distance
Occupations (skilled and unskilled)
Factors affected by PD
5. Obedience and respect
Independent v/s dependent behavior
Relationship with parents and relatives
Family
6. Teachers and classmates inculcate additional
values.
Educational process
Personal wisdom v/s truth
School
7. Superiors and subordinates relationship
Centralization of power
Salary systems
Nature of work (manual or office)
Management practices
Work
8. Latitude or geography
Size of population
National wealth
Determinants
9. Dependence on others power is reducing.
Independence is politically attractive topic
(liberation and emancipation movements)
Increased education levels in countries led
to lower PD
Nations are being dependent on decisions
made internationally.
Lower PD in wealthy countries
For countries that are already poor, no
reduction in PD.
Future
Editor's Notes
Successful athletes artists or scientists usually enjoy status. But they may not have wealth or political power. Businessmen can enjoy wealth and power without status. People try to resolve such inconsistencies by making the areas more consistent. (sportsmen become professionals to be wealthy, successful businessmen enter public office to gain status etc. This trend leads to greater power distance
In small power distance countries there is limited dependence of subordinates on bosses and a preference for consultative style. Emotional distance between them is small. (can readily contradict their bosses). In large power distance countries subordinates are dependent on bosses. They react by either preferring such dependence or by entirely rejecting it. Different social classes show inequality. Occupations with lowest status shows highest PDI values and those with highest status and education level showed the lowest PDI.
In large power distance societies children are expected to be obedient towards elders and respect is seen as a basic virtue. Independent behaviour is not encouraged. And even after adulthood the relationship with parents and respect towards elders continues. There is dependence on seniors. In small power distance cultures, children are more or less treated as elders as soon as they are able to act. The goal of parental edu. Is to let the children take control of their life as soon as they can. Active experimentation is encouraged. Relationships are not based on ones status wealth etc. Formal respect is seldom shown. When child grow up they replace the parent child relationship by one of equals.
Large power distance countries, student treat teachers with respect, get up when they enter. The edu. Process is teacher centred. Strict order, teacher initiates the communication, Teachers are never publicly contradicted or criticized. Teachers expect parents help to bring the child to the right path. Personal wisdom of the teacher is transferred. Corporal punishment is okay Small power distance : teachers and children are equals. Edu. Process is student centered, with emphasis on students initiative. can question teachers, contradict and argue with them. parent sides with the child. Educational process is impersonal and quality of education is depended on excellence of students and not teacher. Corporal punishment is crime.
Warm climates make people lazy, cold ones will make them industrious. Higher latitudes people team up against nature (low power distance). Lowe latitudes, nature is abundant and people team up against each other (high power distance) Larger the population high power distance will be acceptable. Less traditional agriculture, more modern tech., more urban living, more social mobility, better edu. System, larger middle class etc. will result in lower power distance.
