Power distance orientation and employee help seeking: Trust in supervisor as a mediator

• Yang Ji

  Huazhong University of Science and Technology

• Erhua Zhou

  Huazhong University of Science and Technology

• Caiyun Li

  Wuchang University of Technology

• Yanling Yan

  Zhengzhou University of Light Industry

We explored the mechanism and effect of supervisors’ power distance orientation in relation to employee help seeking by way of a hierarchical linear model based on a sample of 311 employees working in 12 Chinese firms. Results indicated that power distance orientation had a significantly negative impact on employees’ instrumental and emotional help seeking as well as their trust in the supervisor. Affect-based trust mediated the relationship between power distance orientation and instrumental and emotional help seeking. Further, cognition-based trust mediated the relationship between power distance orientation and instrumental help seeking. Implications for theory and management are discussed.

1. Yang Ji, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
   School of Management
2. Erhua Zhou, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
   School of Management
3. Caiyun Li, Wuchang University of Technology
   Business College
4. Yanling Yan, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry
   School of Economics and Management

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