THE RELATIVE EFFECTS OF SITUATIONAL PRACTICES AND CULTURALLY INFLUENCED VALUES/BELIEFS ON WORK ATTITUDES

Abstract

There is a strong tradition in cross‐cultural research to posit a relationship between culturally‐derived values and work‐related attitudes, with the most notable work conducted by Hofstede (1980). The deeply‐held culturally‐derived values have a powerful influence on the specific cognitions and behaviors that workers develop. On the other hand, this research suggests that situational variables, including the workers' daily activities and work experiences, also influence work‐related attitudes. Situational demands and salient information from one's current experiences affect the nature of attitudes, and on self‐report questionnaires may explain more variation than reported deep‐seated values. Research was conducted on samples of 64 Americans and 47 Chinese workers to contrast the influences on attitudes. Situational variables were shown to strongly influence attitudinal measures, especially in the American sample. Implications for worker education and training and cross‐cultural management are offered.