Values

Individual Characteristics
 Values
• Specific mode of conduct is
preferable to its opposite
• Values carry an individual’s concept
of right and wrong
• Two parts
– Content-identify a conduct that is
important
– Intensity-How important is the
conduct
 Value System
• Hierarchy of values
• Values are stable and enduring
• Values are set early in life
• Value system generally doesn’t
change
• Values make up the paradigm
through which we see the world.
•
 Types of Values
• Terminal set of values – a list of desirable
end states
– A comfortable life
• Instrumental set-the modes of behavior to
achieve terminal values
– Ambition
• Differences in value systems within
organizations can product conflict and
management problems
• Are American management techniques
exportable?
•
•
 Different Value Systems
• Value systems differ across age,
cohort and culture boundaries
• Hofsteed’s work relating to 5
measures of national culture
– Power distance
– Individualism-collectivism
– Uncertainty avoidance
– Time
– Male-Female
–
 Attitiudes
• Definition
– Evaluative statement about objects, people
or events
– Three Components
• Cognitive –the value component (killing is
wrong)
• Affective –An emotional component (I am
angry at the terrorists)
• Behavioral-the action component, the intent
to act in a certain way. (Give blood, prayer
vigel)
– The term attitude refers to the affective
component
• I feel good about my job
Attitudes are much less
stable than Values
 Attitudes at Work
• Attitudes affect the way you do your
job and how you relate to others.
– I don’t think women do a very good
job around here.
• Cognitive component-women are
inferior (value judgement)
• Affective component-
• Behavior-discriminate against women
in the firm
 Attitudes at work
• Job Satisfaction-
– What do I think about working here
• Job Involvement-
– Linking job with self worth
• Organizational commitment
– Do I identify with the organization and
its goals
 Consistency of Attitudes
• Attitudes change to fit circumstances
• Cognitive Dissonance Theory
•
 Individual will attempt to reduce or
eliminate differences between
attitudes or between attitude and
behavior and thus reduce discomfort
if:

 Reduce Dissonance
• Difference is important
• They have some control in the
reduction
• The rewards of the dissonance isn’t
too great
• Social pressure to conform isn’t too
great
• Difference isn’t reinforced by
personal experience
•
 Self Perception Theory

A ttitu d e s a re u se d , a fte r th e fa ct to m a ke
se n se o u t o f a n a ctio n th a t h a s a lre a d y
o ccu rre d .
 Self Perception Theory
• If your attitudes are well established,
you will use them to guide your
behavior
• If your attitudes are not well
established, you will infer your
attitudes from the prior behavior.