Power Distance

Canada This dimension deals with the fact that all individuals in societies are not equal – it expresses the attitude
of the culture towards these inequalities amongst us. Power Distance is defined as the extent to which the less powerful
members of institutions and organisations within a country expect and accept that power is distributed unequally. It has to do
with the fact that a society’s inequality is endorsed by the followers as much as by the leaders.With a score of 39 on this
dimension, Canadian culture is marked by interdependence among its inhabitants and there is value placed on egalitarianism.
This is also reflected by the lack of overt status and/or class distinctions in society. Typical of other cultures with a low score on
this dimension, hierarchy in Canadian organisations is established for convenience, superiors are always accessible and
managers rely on individual employees and teams for their expertise. It is customary for managers and staff members to consult
one another and to share information freely. With respect to communication, Canadians value a straightforward exchange of
information.

Germany This dimension deals with the fact that all individuals in societies are not equal – it expresses the
attitude of the culture towards these inequalities amongst us. Power Distance is defined as the extent to which the less
powerful members of institutions and organisations within a country expect and accept that power is distributed
unequally.Highly decentralised and supported by a strong middle class, Germany is not surprisingly among the lower power
distant countries (score 35). Co-determination rights are comparatively extensive and have to be taken into account by the
management. A direct and participative communication and meeting style is common, control is disliked and leadership is
challenged to show expertise and best accepted when it’s based on it.

Japan This dimension deals with the fact that all individuals in societies are not equal – it expresses the attitude of the
culture towards these inequalities amongst us. Power Distance is defined as the extent to which the less powerful members of
institutions and organisations within a country expect and accept that power is distributed unequally.At an intermediate score
of 54, Japan is a borderline hierarchical society. Yes, Japanese are always conscious of their hierarchical position in any social
setting and act accordingly. However, it is not as hierarchical as most of the other Asian cultures. Some foreigners experience
Japan as extremely hierarchical because of their business experience of painstakingly slow decision making process: all the
decisions must be confirmed by each hierarchical layer and finally by the top management in Tokyo. Paradoxically, the exact
example of their slow decision making process shows that in Japanese society there is no one top guy who can take decision like
in more hierarchical societies. Another example of not so high Power Distance is that Japan has always been a meritocratic
society. There is a strong notion in the Japanese education system that everybody is born equal and anyone can get ahead and
become anything if he (yes, it is still he) works hard enough.