Power distance in the workplace and its effect on prosocial behavioral intentions

Power distance, the extent to which individuals in an organization accept unequal distributions of power, significantly influences workplace dynamics, particularly in shaping individuals' willingness to engage in prosocial behaviors. Previous research suggests that individuals with high levels of power distance tend to exhibit more self-centered behavior, making them less inclined to act charitably. In contrast, individuals with lower levels of power distance are more likely to engage in prosocial actions. This study investigates the effect of power distance on prosocial behavioral intentions in a workplace context and examines the moderating role of prosocial personality traits. A convenience sample of 169 employees from medium-sized enterprises was analyzed. The findings confirmed that participants with lower power distance perceptions exhibited significantly higher prosocial intentions and revealed the moderating role of prosocial personality traits. By examining the interaction between power distance beliefs, prosocial intentions, and prosocial dispositional traits, our study contributes new insights into how both structural beliefs and personality traits jointly shape prosocial intentions in organizational settings, potentially informing strategies to cultivate a supportive and collaborative work environment.