Work Values

Abstract

Values are direct derivatives of the cultural background, and as such, they allow for explicit and implicit expression of what is wrong and what is right. Experts on values observe two levels of values: values held by a person and values held by a group. The Rokeach Value System (RVS) is one of the popular tools made up of two sets of values, with each set containing eighteen individual value items. RVS is a versatile and useful instrument. A wealth of research shows that differences in work values do exist by nation, and that these differences are important to understanding how to motivate people from respective countries. Business ethics and social responsibility are the other two areas strongly influenced by the relationships of national culture and work values and, for most part, it is the country culture-not workplace ideology-that drives workplace values. Controlled Vocabulary Terms business ethics; social responsibility; Value analysis