According to the new book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, countries that have high PDI’s (power-distance index) respect authority more and are less likely to speak up to or challenge superiors. The evidence cited is the case of a Korean Air flight where the first officer (the co-pilot) knew the plane was in serious trouble, but out of  perceived ‘respect’ for the pilot, was slow to suggest otherwise. The result of the first officer’s lack of speaking up was the plane crashing into the side of Nimitz Hill.