Power distance between USA and Saudi Arabia

Imagine walking into your first day of work. People are sitting quietly in their cubicles,
quickly typing away on their computers. As you finish setting up your workstation, your new
boss stomps into the room and begins yelling at you. After what seems like hours of unfair and
judgmental remarks being said to you, he walks away, and you are left there to silently turn back
to your work, unable to say a word.
While this scene may be considered overdramatic, this example portrays what it would be
like to work in a company with a high power distance.
Now, Im sure you might wonder what exactly the so called power distance index is.
The Power-Distance Index (PDI) is an index developed by Dutch sociologist Geert Hofstede that
measures the distribution of power and wealth between people in a nation, business or culture.
The power-distance index seeks to demonstrate the extent to which subordinates or ordinary
citizens submit to authority. The power-distance index figure is lower in countries or
organizations in which authority figures work closely with those not in authority, and is higher in
countries or organizations with a more authoritarian hierarchy.
How does a high PDI culture manifest itself? In these countries or organizations, we
would normally observe that those in authority openly demonstrate their rank and their
subordinates are not given important work and expect clear guidance from above. If anything
should go wrong however, those subordinates are expected to take the blame. The relationship
between the boss and his subordinates are rarely close or personal.
On the other hand, in low PDI countries, superiors treat subordinates with respect and do
not pull rank. Hence you find the phenomenon in some countries where bosses and subordinates
call each other by their first names. In these countries, subordinates are also entrusted with
important assignments. If something goes wrong, the blame is either shared or accepted by the
boss as it is his responsibility to manage. This is why we often find company bosses in Japan or
Korea resigning or even committing suicide if there is some scandal in the company. Managers
also often socialize with their subordinates.
For today we have chosen to compare the power distance index of two countries, USA
and Saudi Arabia. One with a low power distance and one fist a high power distance.
While all societies and cultures are not equal, the range of inequality varies from culture
to culture. The United States power distance score is a low 40, which is no surprise. Americans
value the premise of liberty and justice for all. This is also shown through the importance of
equal rights in every aspect of the United States government and society. Within American
organizations, hierarchy is established for convenience, superiors are always accessible and

managers rely on individual employees and teams for their expertise. Managers and employees
expect to be discussed with during decision-making, and information is shared between the
different levels of leadership and power. Along with this, communication is informal, direct and
participative.
The power distance level in Saudi Arabia is one of the highest in the world, being ranked
at 80. There are many different reasons for this power distance, the main one being religion.
Saudi Arabia is a monarchy. If you are not Muslim, you are not allowed to enter Saudi Arabia
without an invitation. You also may not leave Saudi without an exit permit. Those who visit
Saudi Arabia are expected to follow the same thorough Islamic laws as Saudis. The Islamic faith
allows this power distance, and it could be said that it even promotes that people be in superior
positions without question. Many Muslims believe in this idea of power and unquestioned
superiority based off of verses in the Koran
Besides the religious influence, some sociological and psychological reasons also
promote the higher power distance. By a certain age children have obtained a specific mindset
based on their cultural practices and norms, and they have ingrained beliefs of what their place
and role in society is. For example, Saudi Arabians believe that obeying your superiors and
supporting your government is of the upmost importance. Saudi Arabians accept this high power
distance as part of their cultural heritage.
Because of this high power distance, Saudi Arabia has many inequalities with the most
prominent one being unequal wealth distribution. Roughly 5,000 people are considered rich
while the rest of the population does not benefit from the growth of the economy. The PDI also
affects the laws and regulations due to the unlimited power and authority the government has in
Saudi Arabia. Saudis have an expectation and acceptance that the leaders will separate
themselves from the group and this condition is not necessarily subverted upon the population,
but rather accepted by the society. Laws are so strictly enforced that thieves can have their
hands amputated and public beheadings are still held for capital punishments.
To conclude what we've learned about power distance, we now know that power distance
is the amount of power distributed to authority and subordinate figures in their respective
cultures. While some countries, such as the United States, have lower power distances, others
like Saudi Arabia have a high power distance. Certain cultural rules, traditions and expectations
are based off of the culture's power distance, such as being able to confront a boss about a
specific issue, or having to be passive and indirect with a person in a high authority position.
Knowing the different power distances in cultures will help one form and maintain
intercultural knowledge and understandings. Without this knowledge and understanding,
confusion, frustration and even anger may occur. By recognizing and respecting the power
distance of a certain culture, the transition of adapting to the new culture will be much easier,
more efficient and understandable.