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The impact of national culture and economic ideology on managerial work values: a study of the United States, Russia, Japan, and China

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Abstract

This study assesses the impact of economic ideology and national culture on the individual work values of managers in the United States, Russia, Japan, and China. The convergence–divergence–crossvergence (CDC) framework was used as a theoretical framework for the study, while the Schwartz Value Survey (SVS) was used to operationalize our investigation of managerial work values across these four countries. The findings largely support the crossvergence perspective, while also confirming the role of national culture. Implications from the findings are drawn for the convergence–divergence–crossvergence of values, as well as for the feasibility of multidomestic or global strategies for a corporate culture.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Pamela Perrewé, Sharon Foley, Sharon Segrest, and the anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments on an earlier draft of this paper. A prior version of this paper was presented at the 1995 Academy of Management Meetings, Vancouver and included in the Best Papers Proceedings of that conference.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Connecticut,

    David A Ralston

  2. Lingnan College,

    David H Holt

  3. University of Macau,

    Robert H Terpstra

  4. Dalian University of Technology,

    Yu Kai-Cheng

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  1. David A Ralston
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  2. David H Holt
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  3. Robert H Terpstra
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  4. Yu Kai-Cheng
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Correspondence to David A Ralston.

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This paper was previously published in Journal of International Business Studies (1997) 28: 177–207.

APPENDIX

APPENDIX

The Ten Universal Schwartz-Value Survey (SVS) Motivational Subdimensions

Power::

The motivational goal of people with power values is the attainment of social status and prestige, and the control or dominance over other people and resources.

Achievement::

The primary goal of this type is personal success through demonstrated competence. Competence is based on what is valued by the system or organization in which the individual is located.

Hedonism::

The motivational goal of this type is pleasure or sensuous gratification for oneself. This value type is derived from orgasmic needs and the pleasure associated with satisfying them.

Stimulation::

The motivational goal of people with Stimulation values is excitement, novelty, and challenge in life. This value type is derived from the need for variety and Stimulation in order to maintain an optimal level of activation. Thrill seeking can be the result of strong Stimulation needs.

Self-direction::

The motivational goal of this value type is independent thought and action (for example, choosing, creating, exploring). Self-direction comes from the need for control and mastery along with the need for autonomy and independence.

Universalism::

The motivational goal of Universalism is the understanding, appreciation, tolerance, and protection of the welfare of all people and nature.

Benevolence::

The motivational goal of people with benevolent values is to preserve and enhance the welfare of people with whom one is in frequent personal contact. This is a concern for the welfare of others that is more narrowly defined than Universalism.

Tradition::

The motivational goal of people with Tradition values is respect, commitment, and acceptance of the customs and ideas that one's culture or religion imposes on the individual. A Traditional mode of behavior becomes a symbol of the group's solidarity and an expression of its unique worth and, hopefully, its survival.

Conformity::

The motivational goal of this type is restraint of action, inclinations and impulses likely to upset or harm others and violate social expectations or norms. It is derived from the requirement that individuals inhibit inclinations that might be socially disruptive.

Security::

The motivational goal of this type is safety, harmony and stability of society or relationships, and of self.

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Ralston, D., Holt, D., Terpstra, R. et al. The impact of national culture and economic ideology on managerial work values: a study of the United States, Russia, Japan, and China. J Int Bus Stud 39, 8–26 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.jibs.8400330

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