Do Motivation Theories Translate Across Cultures?
In general, motivational theories which explain the behaviour of workers in North American companies do not always apply to workers elsewhere. It is safe to assume that most theories that revolve around human needs will come up against cultural limitations to their generality. For example, in more collective societies, self-actualization is not the motivator that it is in North America. In collective cultures, there is a tendency to favour reward allocation based on equality rather than equity. Because of its flexibility, expectancy theory is very effective when applied cross-culturally. Finally, setting specific and challenging goals should also be motivational when applied cross-culturally. However, to be effective, careful attention is required to adjust the goal-setting process in different cultures. For example, individual goals are not likely to be accepted or motivational in collectivist cultures. Thus, appreciating cultural diversity is critical in maximizing motivation. VI. Pu
