Power Distance

4. Power Distance

Characteristics of societies that have high and low power distance (based on House et al, 2004, Table 17.2, p. 536).

HIGH POWER DISTANCE societies have characteristics such as...

  • Society is differentiated into classes.
  • Power seen as providing social order.
  • Upward social mobility is limited.
  • Resources available to only a few.
  • Information is localized and hoarded.

LOW POWER DISTANCE societies have characteristics such as...

  • Society has a large middle class.
  • Power linked to corruption and coercion.
  • Upward social mobility is common.
  • Resources are available to almost all.
  • Information is widely shared.

Source for this text: Cornelius N. Grove (2005). Introduction to the GLOBE Research Project on Leadership Worldwide. http://www.grovewell.com/pub-GLOBE-intro.html

Cornelius N. Grove (2005). Worldwide Differences in Business Values and Practices: Overview of GLOBE Research Findings. http://www.grovewell.com/pub-GLOBE-dimensions.html

IDevice Icon Activity

Please read more about Power Distance and Application to Leadership from the article:  Cornelius N. Grove (2005). Worldwide Differences in Business Values and Practices: Overview of GLOBE Research Findings. http://www.grovewell.com/pub-GLOBE-dimensions.html. Make notes to your course diary.


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Sirje Virkus, Tallinn University, 2009