Question

Explain the term "Power Distance" in Hofstede Dimensions of Natural Culture.

Answer 1

Explain the term "Power Distance" in Hofstede Dimensions of Natural Culture.

Hofstede's research on the influence of culture on someone's values has been considered an important research when dealing with people management.

Hofstede's model on natural culture had six dimensions. They are,

1. Power Distance Index
2. Individualism vs Collectivism
3. Uncertainty Avoidance Index
4. Masculinity vs Femininity
5. Long-term orientation vs short-term orientation
6. Indulgence vs restraint

One of these dimensions is the concept of "Power Distance"

Power Distance

Power distance refers to the distribution of power among people belonging to a social group and how it is perceived by the less powerful members of the group.

It is basically a measure of how social groups or cultures or societies handle inequalities, where some people are more powerful than the others.

Power Distance Index (PDI) is used to measure how well the setup or hierarchical order in a social group is accepted by the group as a whole and how the less powerful members of the social group feel about it.

PDI has two measures,

1. High Power Distance
2. Low Power Distance

High Power Distance: In societies where High Power Distance is exhibited, each member of the social group feels that their place in the hierarchy is right and are accepting of their role. They do not seek any change in the existing social order.

Low Power Distance: In societies where Low Power Distance is exhibited, members of the social group feel that their place in the hierarchy is not justified and fight towards distributing power equally. They seek an active change in the existing social order.