BajaNomad - DIDJA EVER WONDER WHY....................

DIDJA EVER WONDER WHY....................

DENNIS - 8-7-2013 at 03:31 PM

...........................................business and service personnel in Mexico are unwilling, in fact incapable, of making a decision on their own?
Current case in point; Immigration.............. the confusion and daily changing reports of new regulations regarding the revamped system for foreigners to comply with the updated system. The specifications changed from office to office and it seemed everybody was guessing as to the proper method for applicants to take in their efforts to "just get it over with."

We yelled....we wailed and sobbed, "they're confused.........they're inept..........all they want is money." That's what we said, and then-some.

Actually, there may have been a more sophisticated reason for what we thought was ineptitude with a mañana attitude.... a cultural phenomona called "Power Distance."

What is Power Distance?

It's this, and keep in mind Mexico scores as one of the top in this category world wide:

The concept of power distance comes from social science research into human responses to social, economic and political inequality. Dutch social psychologist Mauk Mulder developed the theory, but Geert Hofstede, another Dutch researcher, expanded and popularized it, turning power distance into a major subject of discussion in international business circles. The theory allowed Hofstede to distinguish between different cultures on the basis of their willingness to accept inequality. High power distance cultures tend to accept inequality as natural rather than problematic, and share other characteristics including hierarchical social organization, an emphasis on leadership, clearly defined roles for subordinates and a lack of social mobility.

Role of Subordinates
· While most institutions require some form of hierarchical organization to function effectively, the roles of subordinates differ in high- and low-distance cultures. Subordinates in high-distance cultures do nor ordinarily exercise independent judgment or initiative, and expect their leaders or bosses to provide explicit directions, At the same time, however, a leader's control over his subordinates' actions does not mean he will accept responsibility for failure. Instead, he will ordinarily treat subordinates as expendable, and will sacrifice them to preserve his own position in the hierarchy.

http://www.ehow.com/info_8613813_characteristics-high-power-...

http://www.ehow.com/facts_7504374_low-vs-high-power-distance...

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/intercultural/power-distance...

http://geert-hofstede.com/countries.html

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[Edited on 8-7-2013 by DENNIS]

DENNIS - 8-7-2013 at 08:14 PM

No comments??? Really?

monoloco - 8-7-2013 at 08:20 PM

I have always thought that bureaucrats act the way they do because their advancement is not performance based and they don't have to worry about being laid off or fired.

DENNIS - 8-7-2013 at 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by monoloco
I have always thought that bureaucrats act the way they do because their advancement is not performance based and they don't have to worry about being laid off or fired.

Probably so. I think the study presented has more to do with everybody below the top.

windgrrl - 8-7-2013 at 08:41 PM

Luis Alberto Urrea brings illustrates this theory well in his two novels, "The Hummingbird's Daughter" and "The Queen of America: A Novel". In the former, the father, heroic character, is the leader and in the latter, the daughter, a saint, becomes the leader.

The novels are set during the late 1800s to early1900s. I think the power distance dynamic is reflected in the changing relationships between the main characters, their family & friends and society as a rich life in rural Mexico gives way to a modern life in the USA.

Urrea writes some good stuff.

Howzat?

http://www.amazon.com/Luis-Alberto-Urrea/e/B001HCXBH4

Sandlefoot - 8-7-2013 at 08:47 PM

These people have been put in a job position to act as an authority is some capacity. The problem is they can not make solid decisions because the have no power with those they must answer to, therefore they will make "hedging" on a decision a lifelong endeavor to just hang onto their jobs. They want to be seen as the one with the answers, but they can not have any answers because that would threaten those that they are accounting to. Just a vicious circle of "he said she said"!!!!!!

Interesting that this goes on here in Mexico "on the table", We know it is an issue and we learn to find ways to work around or through things. But in the good ole U S of A the same thing happens but it is not talked about in the same way. Up there the corporate attitude is to leave the small decisions to lower and maybe middle management, because then when things go south they have a "fall guy" to take the hit for them. And inversely, when it works out well they can take credit for having been the force behind the success!!!!

Interesting point tho

Happy Trails

MMc - 8-8-2013 at 10:55 AM

Great business men, the top in their fields will surround themselves with "A" quality people. Less then Great Business men will surround themselves with "B & C" quality people.

Bobvaso - 8-8-2013 at 11:07 AM

Thanks Dennis. "power distance" is a very real phenomenon. In both directions, up and down the corporate ladder, which i have traveled, i am keenly aware of its machinations. Most of it shows up during salary and performance review. There is an unwritten, oral code of rules dispensed at this time. Thanks for the insightful comments. I will be in your neck of the woods mid -august. Early warning system for everyone, they are still talkin' about me in B.A...haha.

durrelllrobert - 8-8-2013 at 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MMc
Great business men, the top in their fields will surround themselves with "A" quality people. Less then Great Business men will surround themselves with "B & C" quality people.

but in government circles you often have little choice in the matter. you are stuck with whomever some one higher than you choses to stick you with, especial under EEO.

MMc - 8-8-2013 at 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert

Quote:

but in government circles you often have little choice in the matter. you are stuck with whomever some one higher than you choses to stick you with, especial under EEO.

agree 100%

DENNIS - 8-8-2013 at 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert

but in government circles you often have little choice in the matter. you are stuck with whomever some one higher than you choses to stick you with, especial under EEO.

Isn't that the essence of "Power Distance?" Final words only come from the top?
In Mexico, that seems to be the way it is....especially for the military. At least, that's the way it was when they didn't have much to do. It may be different now that they have a war on their hands, and those at the top may require a cadre of scapegoats.

BajaTed - 10-3-2019 at 10:14 AM

Baja psychology 101:
1. Plumo or Plata ?
2. Where you from, which Mex. state?
3. Who do you know around here?
4. "WIIFM" (whats in it for me)