WORK VALUES AND CULTURAL SETTING : A CASE OF SINGAPORE MANAGERS

Abstract

A research study was undertaken to examine work and cultural values of managers and the impact of cultural setting on these values in Singapore. The managers of three multi-national companies were surveyed on their work goals and work-related cultural values using Hofstede's Value Survey Module, 1982. A total of 134 managers responded. The results showed that the managers looked for five main work attributes: 'Comfort', 'Job Content', 'Employment Security and Interpersonal Relationship', 'Reward' and 'Contribution to Company'. These correspond with what Hofstede found in his within-country, within-occupation factor analysis of work goals. The cultural values of the managers showed that they believe in acquiring skill and hard work, ethics which resemble Confucian values. But the Confucian value of reciprocal hierarchical relationship between senior/ junior partner appears to have been lost. The finding of this study may have some practical implications in the areas of job design, leadership style, quality of work life and building organizational commitment.