Attitudes Towards Work: A Comparison of Soviet and American Immigrant Scientists in Israel

Abstract

This study examines the attitudes of scientists of different cultural backgrounds towards work. Two samples of scientists who have recently emigrated to Israel, from the USSR and USA, are investigated. The findings show considerable transnational similarity in respondents' importance rankings of a set of work characteristics pertaining to the professional role per se. However, the meanings that scientists attach to particular work characteristics — namely, the 'opportunity to contribute to society' — are conceived within different frameworks and contexts of meaning by the two national groups. The effect of other contextual factors on work orientation, such as academic degree, discipline, and organizational setting, are also investigated.