Comparative Work Value Systems

Abstract

Summary Overthe past several years, a theory of job motivation has emerged which is predicated upon a system of needs and values hypothesized to exist in some degree in all employees. Little effort has been made to test the universality of these theories and predications across a variety of socially‐stratified levels, nor to consider the worker's values in the context of the stratified groups to which he belongs. This report describes a study in which the prepotency of growth needs in relation to deficiency needs in the work environment is compared across three status levels in both white‐collar and blue‐collar occupations. Findings indicate that the task‐centered opportunities for self‐actualization are of prime importance to white‐collar workers only; the social environment is of paramount value to blue‐collar workers. Only minor variations in work values were found across adjacent status levels, although status and occupational levels interact with work characteristics with differential effects upon value hierarchies. Results are discussed in terms of the contrasting values which different subgroups attach to task‐centered and social work characteristics. Questions of causality and remedy are also considered.

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