Power distance index from Hofstede

It represents the degree to which the less powerful members of a society accept and expect that power is distributed unequally. The main aspect idea is how a society handles inequalities among its members.

1. A higher score for power distance index PDI in Russia (93) versus France (68) means that:

• A in Russia men have more power
• B in France men keep more distance from women
• C French managers would tend to have higher expectations regarding feedback from subordinates
• D in Russian society in general, the boss is the boss, and his decision should not be challenged.

The main idea is to assess your skills, and to engage with the reader in a thought-provoking way. Results are at the bottom of the page, good luck!

2. A higher score for PDI in Russia (93) versus France (68) and Germany (35) means that:

• A France Germany and Russia are completely different, and it is not possible for Russian to adapt to Germans nor French people.
• B In Germany men keep more distance from women than in France.
• C German managers would be more open to suggestions from subordinates and to management “bottom-up” style.
• D in Russian society in general, the boss is the boss, and his decision should not be challenged. It would not be well perceived in public

3. The lowest index (PDI) concerns Russia.

• A True
• B False

4. What does PDI  stand for : Power Distance Increase?

• A True
• B False

5. Definition of power distance index

The huge discrepancies between the less and the more powerful people leads to a great importance of status symbols. In countries with high PDI scores, the ideal managerial approach should be top-down and provide clear directions for any task.

• A True
• B False

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6. Risk and Management :

What are the risks for Masha Nikolaeva (from Moscow) who recently became European finance manager in London for an international company ?

• A She could be too nice to her colleagues because Russian are very friendly in general
• B She could find London very expensive
• C She could have problem finding the right stop because Google map doesn’t work in the Metro
• D She could then to be seen as authoritarian by her other European colleagues, even the South Americans ones
• E She should take into account that Russia, among the largest economies, is one of the few countries, where managers may implement decision without prior agreement of the group and their subordinates.
• F She could say that the primary school teacher of a son Ivan, has no authority on the class. What a mess everybody speaks together!
• G She should be careful not to disturb English men at work because of her beauty

Collectivism and Individualism

Collectivism represents a preference for a tightly knit framework in society in which individuals can expect their colleagues or friends of a particular group to look after them in exchange for loyalty. Individualism can be defined as a preference for a loosely knit social environment.

6. The Parable of the Two Sons

There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, Son, go and work today in the vineyard. “I will not,” he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, “I will, sir” but he did not go.

Which of the following proposal is correct?

• A The highest IDV score is shown from the first Son because he clearly mentions his difference versus the request of the father
• B In China the behaviour of the second Son is likely to happen
• C The United Kingdom the behaviour of the second Son is likely to happen
• D In Russia, the behaviour of the second Son is less likely to happen than in China
• E In France & Sweden all children are equal, and have the same rights

7. Trust in business and relationships

“Я его знаю, это мой старый друг”translated from Russian by ” I know him, this is my old friend”let trust him and give him a credit line.

These words from Russian employees to expats boss is likely to create the following: Please pick two choices…

• A English-speaking expatriates tend to agree that, when working for a long time in Moscow, the relationship is key, and contractual terms are second.
• B People have more friends in Russia than in the US.
• C English-speaking expatriates tend to agree that, no matter what the quality is of the relationship you still need a contract.
• D It is forbidden to do business with your friends in the United States as mentioned in the constitution.
• E In the US, managers have a stronger IDV score than continental European countries which would lead to take less into consideration, personal aspects & relationships, when doing business.

8. Geert Hofstede in Different Cultures:

The impact of Individualism vs Collectivism

A US lawyer comes to Moscow to sign a contract. The overall budget is over $20 million $. What is likely to surprise his Russian counterpart?

• A The US lawyer will spend a lot of time trying to get to know his Russian counterpart before he signs anything.
• B For US citizens in general, it is usual to spend time socialising, with their counterparts, before doing any kind of business.
• C With IDV score at 91 the US has the highest index in terms of individualism. A lawyer is likely to show openly his disagreement at the expense of the comfort, of his local colleagues
• D For $20 million or less, it is not necessary to sign a contract in the US.
• E The draft contract might be significantly longer than expected by the Russian. In society were collectivism is high, contracts are usually shorter, and are only focused on key issues.

Results of our quiz:

Q1 C & D: the higher the hierarchical distance index, the greater the acceptance of inequalities. Employees are waiting for guidance from their manager.

Q2 C & D : German culture is known to be more egalitarian.

Q3 False : Russia is one of the highest on the world. The higher the index of hierarchical distance, the more ostentatious the leaders will exercise of power.

Q4 False: PDI means Power Distance Index

Q5 True : Employees with a High index of hierarchical distance clear direction and TOP down approach.

Q6 D+E +F :  She might be perceived as too authoritarian by her English colleagues. The difference in the index of hierarchical distance is very significant between Russia and England. There could therefore be an impact between the person’s culture of reference and her new colleagues.

Q 7  A +C + E

Q 8  C +E

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Conclusion of the course:

If you have more than 8 correct answers, congratulations to you. You among the top respondants. If you have between 4 and 7 correct, you have some insights. We offer you an training to deepen your knowledge. You will need to fill in the form with your first name and email address.

Other articles on the same subject

• Erin Meyer Culture Map
• How to avoid the pitfalls of multicultural communication
• Intercultural Communication in Organization: How to Improve It?
• Intercultural Communication Training: Learn how to Communicate
• Intercultural Conflict Management
• Intercultural Management Consulting
• Trompenaars: what are the 7 Cultural Dimensions ?
• What Is Intercultural Management?

This article has been written by Marc Prager.