Power distance and CEO legitimacy: Exploring international employees' perceptions in a Dutch software company

Keywords

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Issue Date

2024-07-04

Language

en

Document type

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Title

ISSN

Volume

Issue

Startpage

Endpage

DOI

Abstract

In light of the ongoing globalization of the business world, the Netherlands has become a destination of choice for many international employees seeking to work abroad. Many international employees now work within Dutch companies. However, cultural di􀆯erences, such as the individually values held about power distance in the workplace, can sometimes give rise to sources of tension. The objective of this study was to examine how international employees perceive the legitimacy of a Dutch CEO, taking into account the contrasting cultural values regarding power distance. A qualitative study was conducted for the purposes of this research. A total of nine international employees working in a Dutch software company were interviewed for this study. The most significant aspects influencing the perception of the CEO’s legitimacy among international employees were collaborative decision-making, openness, the informal image of the CEO, socio-emotional support, and open door policy. These aspects were considered in light of the cultural di􀆯erences between international employees and the Dutch CEO with regard to power distance. The findings indicated that, contrary to expectations, international employees granted the Dutch CEO a considerable degree of legitimacy, particularly in relational areas such as trustworthiness and interpersonal respect.

Description

Citation

Supervisor

Faculty

Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen

Specialisation