As with most group orientated cultures, hierarchy plays a great role in Indonesian culture.
Hierarchical relationships are respected, emphaised and maintained.
Respect is usually shown to those with status, power, position, and age.
This can be seen in both the village and the office where the most senior is expected to make group decisions.
Superiors are often called "bapak" or "ibu", which means the equivalent of father or mother, sir or madam.
Although those higher up the hierarchy make decisions Indonesians are advocates of group discussion and consensus. This ties back to the idea of maintaining strong group cohesiveness and harmonious relationships