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Power distance is one of the five dimensions of Hofstede’s framework for assessing culture. Hofstede has defined power distance as “the extent to which inequality in power is accepted and considered as normal by less powerful people in a society. “(Hofstede, p. 307, 1986). He divided this dimension into two categories: 1. Small 2. Large Small power distance: Small power distance means that the extent to which less powerful people accept the social inequality is small, that is members of a society are treated as equal as possible in an unequal society. Hofstede, p. 307, 1986) Large power distance: large power distance means that a big inequality in power is considered by the less powerful members of a society as normal. (Hofstede, p. 307, 1986) Power distance between Australia and Japan: Power distance in Australia: According to Hofstede power distance index, the score of Australia is only 36. So Australia is a country of low power distance. People of this country show greater degree of equality. Here, Prestige and rewards are more equally shared between superiors and subordinates. ll the seniors deal with their junior colleagues with respect and do not pull rank. Juniors are entrusted with big and important assignments in different Australian firms. Blame is very often accepted by the superior due to it being their responsibility to manage. Australian managers may socialise with co-workers. Generally liberal democracy prevails in this country. Power distance in japan : According to Hofstede power distance index, the score of Japan is 54. So Japan is one of the high power distance countries.
Culture of Japan is characterized by much inequality between superiors and subordinates. Organizations in Japan are more hierarchical. Those who are in leading positions in Japan openly demonstrate their rank. In Japan power originates from prestige, force and inheritance. The relationship between manager and co-workers is rarely close in Japanese companies. In Japan executives and upper management enjoy special reorganization and privileges due to this large power distance. In Japanese firms or companies junior workers are not given important work and expect clear guidance from senior workers.
Juniors have to take the blame for things going wrong. In Japan totalitarianism is the general feature of Politics. Problems that might be faced by a person from Japan who goes to work in Australia: As Japan is a large power distance country than Australia, people who go to work in Australia might be faced by different problem. For example: * People of Japan might think junior workers of Australia are not showing respect to them because in Australia relationship between workers is very friendly. Senior workers from Japan always take important decisions by themselves but in Australia he/she has to consult it with co-workers. * Junior workers from Japan might face problem to involve themselves in big and important assignments. Problems that might be faced by a person from Australia who goes to work in Japan: As Australia is a small power distance country than Japan, people who go to work in Australia also might be faced by different problem.
For example: * Senior workers from Australia might find their junior workers of Japan as less helpful because they might not take initiative. * Junior worker from Australia might find their senior co-workers of Japan as very rude because the relationship between senior and junior workers is not friendly in Japan. * Workers from Australia might face some problem to change their behaviour because in Japan they have to be formal all the time.