Hofstede [1980] empirically established four organization-relevant dimen sions of culture that differentiate countries. These are (1) Power Distance;
(2) Uncertainty Avoidance; (3) Individualism-Collectivism; and (4) Masculinity Femininity. These four dimensions, described below, have been extensively used as explanatory variables in investigations of the role of culture in leadership styles in different countries [Rodriguez 1990], networks and their configurations [Sekaran and Snodgrass 1986], and various other organiza tional phenomena.
Power Distance relates to how power is distributed among organizational members at various hierarchical levels in different societies. In some cul tures power is unequally distributed, with those at the top making all the decisions and those at the lower levels simply carrying out the orders given by powerful groups at the top (High Power Distance cultures). In other societies, power is more evenly distributed among the members at the various hierarchical levels in the system, and more egalitarian relationships prevail (Low Power Distance cultures).