Effects of Power Distance Diversity within Workgroups on Work Role Performance and Organizational Citizenship Behavior

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of power distance diversity within workgroups, from the perspectives of work role performance and organizational citizenship behavior. A sample of 251 employees, from a multinational company’s subsidiary, was analyzed to determine the existence of relationships between power distance diversity, work role performance and organizational citizenship behavior. Results indicated two main findings. First, the most power distance diverse workgroups had a negative effect on the work role performance of the employees. Secondly, the most power distance diverse workgroups negatively influenced two dimensions of organizational citizenship behavior: altruism and civic virtue. In addition to the previous main findings, it was concluded that power distance had a negative impact within the workgroups of the organization that was studied. The development of this research made a significant contribution to the innovative research field of cultural dimensions’ relationship with the performance and the behavior of the employees. Additionally, this research is among the first to study the effects of power distance on the work role performance and the organizational citizenship behavior of employees.