South African HIV/AIDS service providers’ perceptions of participatory decision making and empowerment: Exploring the role of power distance

Abstract

Many social workers believe that concepts such as empowerment and participatory decision making are universally applicable across cultures. However, a failure to recognize the diversity that can occur across cultural groups may result in organizations choosing poor fitting empowerment strategies. In this qualitative study, the author explored how participatory decision making and empowerment are perceived among South African staff, where higher levels of power distance exist. Results of the study highlight perceptions of and barriers to participatory decision making and potential strategies that social workers might use to empower staff to participate in decision making in a culturally competent manner.