Socio-Cultural Values, Internal Work Culture and Leadership Styles in Four Post-Communist Countries

Abstract

This survey-based study compared socio-cultural values, internal work culture assumptions, and leadership styles of 695 managers in nine manufacturing firms in Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic. It has found differences between the four countries in all three areas. These differences are not across the board: there are clusters of similarities between some countries on some dimensions. Georgian managers emerged as more collectivistic than managers from the other three countries. Kazakhstan was the highest on paternalism and fatalism, and Russia the lowest on these two dimensions. The study shows that, despite similarities in economic systems and organizational and managerial structures, internal work culture assumptions vary from country to country. Recommendations for further research and practical suggestions for educators, trainers, and human resource executives are provided.