What is power distance?

Power distance describes the extent to which the less powerful members of organizations and institutions (like the family) accept and expect that power is distributed unequally.
High-power-distance countries tend to have a greater degree of inequality in society and organizations, while lower-power-distance countries tend to have more equality.
Some cultures (e.g., Japan) emphasize strict, vertical relationships (i.e., higher power distance), while others, like Canada, stress a greater degree of equality and informality (i.e., lower power distance).