power distance index (PDI). PDI reflects the degree to which the culture believes that institutional and organizational power should be distributed unequally and the decisions of the power holders should be challenged or accepted. Countries with Low PDIs: For example, Austria Denmark Israel New Zealand
They believe in:
(a) the importance of minimizing social or class inequalities, (b) questioning or challenging authority figures, (c) reducing hierarchical organizational structures. Countries with High PDIs: For example, India Mexico Philippines Venezuela
They believe in a social order in which each person
has a rightful and protected place, the actions of authorities should not be challenged and questioned (except when pushed to the brink, eg. people power in Philippines), hierarchy is appropriate and beneficial. Predictors of Power Distance Climate
This is measured by geographical latitude.
Cultures that live in high-latitude climates that are far from the equator, and therefore have moderate to cold climates, tend to have low PDI scores. Cultures that live in low-latitude climates that are near the equator, and therefore have tropical or sub-tropical climates, tend to have high PDI scores. Explanation: In colder and more extreme climates, human survival requires more protection against the hardships of nature. Consequently, survival can only occur if the culture can develop solutions that counteract the extreme forces of nature. The need for solutions to its climatic problems predisposes the culture to seek innovative answers to its problems which in turn leads to modernization, independent thinking, technological innovations, decentralization or political power and a general questioning of authority. Predictors of Power Distance Population Size The larger the culture, the greater power distance there is as the size of any social group increases, it must inevitably develop additional rules and formal procedures for coping with the increased complexities that arise. Large social groups will require more centralized concentrations of political power to function effectively. Therefore, a political hierarchy that is more distant, more impersonable and less accessible is created. Predictors of Power Distance Wealth Hofstede suggests that it is the distribution of wealth rather than the amount of wealth that best predicts power distance. The more unequally wealth is distributed within a culture, the greater the cultures power distance. Predictors of Power Distance Occupation
Doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc. are
perceived to have powerful careers. Predictors of Power Distance Education
Hofstede: The more education, the lower
the PDI. Consequences of Power Distance Evident in: family customs
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