The personal values of tomorrow's workforce: Similarities and differences across sex and nationality

Previous research has identified that values affect attitudes and behaviour, and value differences may be associated with conflict in organizations. This paper examines potential national and gender differences in values in a group of 345 young people soon to be entering the Australian workforce. Although there were national, and small gender, differences in the importance placed on particular values, the young people in the study were consistent in the relative importance placed on happiness, work success and friendship, and the unimportance of lift and work activities that contributed to society. Implications for organizations and suggestions for future research are explored.