Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Does socialization in schools matter? differences in value priorities between managers, professionals and executives in a singaporean firm

  • Articles and reports
  • Published:
Asia Pacific Education Review Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper discusses the functionalist perspective of stratification and institutional processes of values inculcation in schools and organizations. It is assumed that students’ school-to-work transition entail certain differences in life and work expectations as the education system forms the basis of cultural reproduction and values formation. A quantitative study was conducted to investigate the variations in value priorities between managers, professionals and executives in a MNC in Singapore. The questionnaire survey involved 252 participants. The findings highlight that the notion that differences in the relative value preferences between the three hierarchical groups may be a result of their previous respective educational socialization and achievements in schools.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen, V. L. (1970). Personality correlates of poverty. In H. L. Minton., & F. W. Schneider (Eds.),Differential psychology. Belmont, CA.: Wadsworth, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allport, G. W., Vernon, P. E., & Lindzey, G. (1960).A study of values. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (1999).Third APEC Human Resources Development ministers meeting: Joint ministerial statement. 27–29 July 1999. Singapore: APEC Secretariat.

    Google Scholar 

  • Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (2000).Twelfth APEC ministerial meeting: Joint statement. 12–13 Nov 2000 Singapore: APEC Secretariat.

    Google Scholar 

  • Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (2001).4th APEC Human Resources Development ministerial meeting. 29 – 30 Sep, 2001. Singapore: APEC Secretariat.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ballantine, J. H. (2001).The sociology of education: A systematic analysis. Englewood Cliffs, NJ.: Prentice- Hall, Inc

    Google Scholar 

  • Ballantine, J. H., & Spade, J. Z. (2004).Schools and society: A sociological approach to education. Belmont, CA.: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1977).Social learning theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ.: Prentice-Hall, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1986).Social foundations of thought and action: A social-cognitive view. Englewood Cliffs, NJ.: Prentice-Hall, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartlett, C. A., & Ghoshal, S. (1989).Managing across borders: The transnational solution. Boston, MA.: Harvard Business School Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartlett, C. A., & Ghoshal, S. (2000).Transnational management: Text, cases, and readings in cross-border management. Boston, MA.: Irwin McGraw Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartlett, C. A., Doz, Y., & Hedlund, G. (Eds.) (1990).Managing the global firm. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Billings, R. S., & Cornelius, E. T. (1980). Dimensions of work outcomes: A multidimensional scaling approach,Personnel Psychology, 33, 151–162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blood, M. R. (1969). Work values and job satisfaction.Journal of Applied Psychology, 53, 456–459.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bourdieu, P. (1984).Distinction: A social critique of judgements of taste. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourdieu, P. (1988).Language and symbolic power. Cambridge: Polity Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourdieu, P., & Passeron, J. (1977).Reproduction: In education, society and culture. Beverly Hills, CA.: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowles, S. S., & Gintis, H. (1976).Schooling in capitalist America: Educational reform and contradictions of economic life. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Child, J. (1984).Organization: A guide to problems and practice. 2nd edition, London: Harper & Row, Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, K., & Moore, W. (1945). Some principles of stratification. In L. A. Coser and B. Rosenberg (Eds.).Ideological theory. New York: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985).Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behaviour. New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Durkheim, E. (1960).The division of labour in society. Glencoe, Ill.: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Earley, P. C., & Mosakowski, E. (2000). Creating hybrid team cultures: An empirical test of transnational team functioning.Academy of Management Journal, 43(1), 26 - 40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Earley, P. C., & Singh, H. (1995). International and intercultural management research: What’s next?Academy of Management Journal, 38(2), 327–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elizur, D. (1984). Facets of work values: A structural analysis of work outcomes.Journal of Applied Psychology, 69, 379–389.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elizur, D., Borg, I., Hunt, R., & Beck, I. M. (1991). The structure of work values: A cross-cultural comparison.Journal of Organizational Behaviour, 12, 21–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erez, M., & Earley, P. C. (1993).Culture, self-identity and work. New York: Oxford University Press, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feagin, J. R., & Feagin, C. B. (1978).Discrimination American style: Institutional sexism and racism. Englewood Cliffs, NJ.: Prentice-Hall, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freud, S. (1963).Civilization and its discontents. London: Hogarth Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giddens, A. (1989).Sociology. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gomez-Mejia, L. R., & Palich, L. E. (1997). Cultural diversity and the performance of multinational firms.Journal of International Business Studies, 28(2), 309 - 335.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hall, E. T., & Hall, M. R. (1990).Understanding cultural differences. Yarmouth, Maine: Intercultural Press, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harpaz, I. (1985). Meaning of work profiles of various occupational groups.Journal of Vocational Behavior, 26, 25–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harris, P. R., & Moran, R. T. (1999).Managing cultural differences: Leadership strategies for a new world of business. Woburn, MA.: Butterworth-Heinemann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, F. (1969). Aspirations as related to school performance and socioeconomic status.Sociometry, 32(1), 70–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hofstede, G. (1984).Culture’s consequences: International differences in work-related values. Beverly Hills, CA.: Sage Publications, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofstede, G. (1994).Cultures and organisations: Software of the mind. London: Harper Collins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofstede, G. (2001).Culture’s consequences: Comparing values, behaviours, institutions and organisations across nations. 2nd Ed. Thousand Oaks, CA.: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Houston, J. P., & Mednick, S. A. (1963). Creativity and the need for novelty.Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 66, 137–141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Illich, I. D. (1973).Deschooling society. Harmondsworth: Penguin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, S. E., & Ruderman, M. N. (1995).Diversity in work teams: Researching paradigms for a changing workplace. Washington, DC.: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joynt, P., & Warner, M. (Eds.) (1997).Managing across cultures: Issues and perspectives. Boston: International Thomson Business Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Katz, D., & Kahn, R. L. (1966).The social psychology of organisations. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kluckhohn, C. (1951). Values and value-orientations in the theory of action: An exploration in definition and classification. In T. Parsons, & E. Shils (Eds.).Toward a general theory of action. New York: Harper & Row.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kluckhohn, F. R., & Strodtbeck, F. L. (1961).Variations in value orientations. Evanston, Ill.: Row, Peterson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Korman, A. (1974).The psychology of motivation. Englewood Cliffs, NJ.: Prentice-Hall, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levitt, T. (1986).The marketing imagination. New York: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maddi, S. R. (1961). Exploratory behaviour and variationseeking in man. In D. W. Fiske, & S. R. Maddi (Eds.).Functions of varied experience. Homewood, Ill.: Dorsey.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maslow, A. H. (Ed.) (1959).New knowledge in human values. 1st edition, New York: Harper.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minton, H. L., & Schneider, F. W. (1980).Differential psychology. Belmont, CA.: Wadsworth, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, C. W. (1956).Varieties of human value. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Nord, W. R., Brief, A. P., Atieh, J. M., & Doherty, E. M. (1985). Work values and the conduct of organizational behavior. In B. M. Staw, & L. L. Cummings (Eds.).Research in organizational behaviour. Greenwich, CT.: JAI Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nord, W. R., Brief, A. P., Atieh, J. M., & Doherty, E. M. (1988). Studying meanings of work: The case of work values. In B. M. Staw, & L. L. Cummings (Eds.).Research in organizational behaviour. Greenwich, CT.: JAI Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palich, L. E., & Gomez-Mejia, L. R. (1999). A theory of global strategy and firm efficiencies: Considering the effects of cultural diversity.Journal of Management, 25(4), 587

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parkin, F. (1979).Marxism and class theory: A bourgeois critique. New York: Columbia University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parsons, T. (1951).The social system. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pine, G. J., & Innis, G. (1987). Cultural and individual work values.Career Development Quarterly, 35, 279–287.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pryor, R. G. L. (1979). In search of a concept: Work values.Vocational Guidance Quarterly, 27, 365–375.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pryor, R. G. L. (1982). Values, preferences, needs, work ethics and orientations to work: Toward a conceptual and empirical integration.Journal of Applied Psychology, 20, 40–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pryor, R. G. L. (1987). Differences among differences: In search of general work preference dimensions.Journal of Applied Psychology, 72, 426–433.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Radcliffe-Brown, A. R. (1952).Structure and functions in primitive society. Glencoe, Ill.: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Redding, S. G. (1990).The spirit of Chinese capitalism. New York: Walter de Gruyter.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rokeach, M. (1968).Beliefs, attitudes, and values: A theory of organization and change. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rokeach, M. (1973).The nature of human values. New York: The Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rokeach, M. (1979).Understanding human values. New York: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ronen, S. (1978). Personal values: A basis for work motivational set and work attitude.Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 21, 80–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ros, M., Schwartz, S. H., & Surkiss, S. (1999). Basic individual values, work values, and the meaning of work.Applied Psychology: An International Review, 48(1), 49–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, S. H. (1992). Universals in the content and structure of values: Theoretical advances and empirical tests in 20 countries.Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 25, 1–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, S. H. (1994). Are there universal aspect in the structure and content of human values?Journal of Social Issues, 50(4), 19–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, S. H., & Bardi, A. (2001). Value hierarchies across cultures: Taking a similarities perspectives.Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 32(3), 268–290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, S. H., & Bilsky, W. (1987). Toward a psychological structure of human values.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53(3), 550–562.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, S. H., & Bilsky, W. (1990). Toward a theory of the universal content and structure of human values: Extensions and cross-cultural replications.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 58(5), 878–891.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scott, W. A. (1965).Values and organisations: A study of fraternities and sororities. Chicago: Rand McNally.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sewell, W. H., Haller, A. O., & Ohlendorf, G. W. (1970). The educational and early occupational status attainment process: Replication and revision.American Sociological Review, 35, 1014–1027.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, M. B. (1969).Social psychology and human values: Selected essays. Chicago: Aldine.

    Google Scholar 

  • Super, D. E. (1970).Work values inventory. Chicago, Ill.: Riverside Publishing Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trompenaars, F., & Hampden-Turner, C. (1998).Riding the waves of culture: Understanding diversity in global business. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber, M. (1978).Economy and society. (G. Roth & C. Wittich, Trans.). Berkeley: University of California Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, R. W. (1959). Motivation reconsidered: The concept of competence.Psychological Review, 66, 296–333.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Willis, P. (1977). Learning to labor: How working class kids get working class jobs. In A. Giddens (1989).Sociology. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wollack, S., Goodale, J. G., Wijting, J. P., & Smith, P. C. (1971). Development of the survey of work values.Journal of Applied Psychology, 55, 331–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright, E. O. (1979).Class structure and income determination. New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to William K. W. Choy.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Choy, W.K.W., Lee, A.B.E. & Ramburuth, P. Does socialization in schools matter? differences in value priorities between managers, professionals and executives in a singaporean firm. Asia Pacific Educ. Rev. 8, 129–141 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03025839

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03025839

Key words

Navigation