In: Operations Management
Most countries which are high on power distance only score high on uncertainty avoidance. What accounts for this correlation?
The interconnectedness that is shown in the above scenario is
likely due to the fact that cultures with high uncertainty
avoidance want the least amount of ambiguity and require a formal
structure and authority to function. This means not only would high
power distance not be contended by the people, the fact that
knowledge and information are hoarded and localized, especially in
the hands of the few, especially from the higher classes means that
even if the individuals in this culture were to disagree with the
governing structure, but they also would not have the necessary
considerations such as resources and the necessary knowledge to go
against the decisions that have been set by them. We can say that
this limited upwards mobility due to high power distance gives rise
of high levels of uncertainty avoidance whereby the individuals
have less motivation to compete for with others, especially with
the governing structure due to their belief in absolute trust, an
affinity for predictability and/or the fear of speaking out,
provides the necessary understanding for high power distance to
flourish in such a culture.
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