How do cultural differences influence employee motivation?

"The material presented thus far in this chapter demonstrates the wide variety of theorists and research studies that have contributed to our current understanding of employee motivation. Now we turn our attention to more practical matters, to ways that these concepts can be applied in the workplace to meet organizational goals and improve individual performance. 1. English-speaking countries such as England and the United States rank higher on individual achievement and lower on the desire for security. 2. French-speaking countries and areas such as France and the province of Quebec in Canada, although similar to the English-speaking countries, give greater importance to security and somewhat less to challenging work. 3. Northern European countries such as Sweden have less interest in getting ahead and work towards recognition goals and place more emphasis on job accomplishment. In addition, they have more concern for people and less for the organization as a whole (it is important that their jobs not interfere with their personal lives). 4. Latin American and Southern European countries find individual achievement somewhat less important; Southern Europeans place the highest emphasis on job security, whereas both groups of countries emphasize fringe benefits. 5. Germany ranks high on security and fringe benefits and among the highest on getting ahead. 6. Japan, although low on advancement, also ranks second-highest on challenge and lowest on autonomy, with a strong emphasis on good working conditions and a friendly working environment. Critical Thinking Questions 1. In today’s global business environment, with its diversity of perspectives, can a manager ever successfully use equity theory? Why or why not? 2. What impact, if any, do these cultural differences have on managers managing an entirely American workforce? Explain. Sources: Adapted from Nancy J. Adler and Allison Gunderson, International Dimensions of Organizational Behavior, 5th ed. (Cengage Learning, 2008), pp. 174–181; “Motivation across Cultures: Same Value- Different Approach,” Authentic Journeys, http://blog.authenticjourneys.info, July 10,"