Getting Grip on Cross-Cultural Research: The Effect of Different Power Distance Contexts on Reactions to Voice

Abstract

Previous research has shown that people from different power distance cultures respond differently to affective items when they are given, versus being denied, voice in a decision to be made. The current research tries to improve upon these conclusions by using a recently developed procedure and modifying it to suit the current research. In this procedure, besides passively measuring the cultural dimension in the control condition, the countercultural norm will be made saillant in the experimental condition, strengthening any conclusions that will be drawn about the cross-cultural differences. Using this new procedure in two separate studies, evidence is provided for the predictions that the Netherlands constitutes a low power distance culture (Study 1), whereas India constitutes a high power distance culture (Study 2), as well as its implications on people‟s reaction to voice. Implications for future research on cross-cultural differences are discussed.