Power Distance
Power distance is a construct that measures inequality
across a culture. “Power distance is a measure of the interpersonal power or
influence between B [boss] and S [subordinate] as perceived by the least powerful
of the two.”28 The power distance index examines communication attitudes and
roles as perceived by the subordinate in organizational relationships.
Sriramesh studied power distance as a factor in Indian public relations.29
Indian society was caste oriented in the past, and now is class oriented. Sriramesh
found that power distance continues to influence practitioner’s selection of either
the one-way or two-way communication models. Although this dimension explains
interpersonal communication, it also can provide information about societal
tolerance for inequality. For instance, high power distance nations often encompass
a latent conflict between individuals and organizations that have prestige and
resources and those who feel powerless. Although this conflict is rarely vocalized
and acted on, in high power distance cultures it influences the attributions that
people make about the actions of others. For example, the powerless are not very
forgiving when the powerful make mistakes.