Fundamentals of Management, 11/e

How Does Country Culture Affect Motivation Efforts?

The desire for interesting work seems to be global.

In today’s global business environment, managers can’t automatically assume that motivational programs that work in one geographic location are going to work in others. Most current motivation theories were developed in the United States by Americans and about Americans.42 Maybe the most blatant pro-American characteristic in these theories is the strong emphasis on individualism and achievement. For instance, both goal-setting and expectancy theories emphasize goal accomplishment as well as rational and individual thought. Let’s look at the cross-cultural transferability of the motivation theories.

Maslow’s need hierarchy argues that people ...