Organizational Behavior

International Organizational Behavior-Cultural Differences in Job Characteristics and Job Satisfaction

For the Assignment, conduct research on three different countries cultures.

 

 

 

How do various factors of one’s job contribute to satisfaction in different cultures?

 

A recent study attempted to answer this question in a survey of over 49 countries. The authors of the

 

study distinguished between intrinsic job characteristics (having a job that allows one to use one’s

 

skills, frequently receiving recognition from one’s supervisor) and extrinsic job characteristics

 

(receiving pay that is competitive within a given industry, working in an environment that has

 

comfortable physical conditions) and assessed differences between the two in predicting employee

 

job satisfaction.

 

The Study found that, across all countries, extrinsic job characteristics were positively and

 

consistently related to satisfaction with one’s job. However, countries differed in the extent to which

 

intrinsic job characteristics predicted job satisfaction. Richer countries, countries with stronger social

 

security, countries that stress individualism rather than collectivism, and countries with a smaller

 

power distance (those that value a more equal distribution of power in organizations and institutions)

 

showed a stronger relationship between the presence of intrinsic job characteristics and job

 

satisfaction.

 

What explains these findings? One explanation is that in countries with greater wealth and social

 

security, they take concerns over survival for granted, and thus employees have the freedom to place

 

greater importance on intrinsic aspects of the job. Another explanation is that cultural norms

 

emphasizing the individual and less power asymmetry socialize individuals to focus on the intrinsic

 

aspects of their job. In other words, such norms tell individuals that it is okay to want jobs that are

 

intrinsically rewarding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Assignment, conduct research on three different countries cultures. Use the Kaplan library or

 

the Internet, and then respond to the questions below:

Checklist:

 

 

1. Compare facts about each of the three countries.

 

2. Determine which of the three countries is most likely to have higher job satisfaction and

 

motivation among employees.

 

3. Explain your answer using motivation theory material from Robbins and Judge.