Examining the perceived causes of successful employee performance: an East-West comparison

This study examines cross-national differences in the perceived attributes of employee performance using a multi-country sample drawn from Canada, China (Hong Kong), Finland and the UK. Significant country differences were found in the relative importance individuals attach to internal versus external causes of their performance. Respondents in Canada, Finland and the UK considered internal factors to be the most relevant. This was in contrast to their counterparts in China (Hong Kong) where a combination of both internal and external factors are believed to influence performance outcomes. Understanding these East-West differences is essential to managers grappling with the design and implementation of performance management systems in cross-border settings. The present study also paves the way for future research.