Comparative Evaluation of Value Systems of Future Managers from Different Races

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess the value systems of future managers (senior business majors) using the Values for Working Questionnaire, compare the systems to previously obtained norms, and analyze group differences. Business administration students from several culturally diverse universities (i.e., Asian, African American, and Caucasian) were asked to complete a questionnaire measuring value systems, orientation patterns, and racial and cultural differences. The results showed that the largest percentage of the future managers as compared to managers were existential. The Asian group was significantly more inner directed than the other two race groups. African American future managers showed the most prevalent outer directed orientation of the three races and the strongest mixed pattern orientation. Asian managers showed a stronger preference for manipulative values than African American and Caucassian future managers. Race was shown to significantly impact a person's value system and orientation pattern in the present study.