Organisational Commitment: From Trust to Altruism at Work

Abstract

This paper presents contrasts between the western and eastern cultural contexts and subsequent orientation of employees. The paper argues that in western societies the emphasis on rationality, self-autonomy and individualism has led to diffusive trust at work, with work organisations becoming more 'contract-oriented'. In contrast, in Oriental cultures such as China and Japan high trust underlying a high level of organisational commitment is ingrained in the traditional properties of these societies which emphasise altruistic orientation in economic and social life. However, there are growing signs to suggest that diffused and altruistic trust is slowly emascu lated in Oriental societies today as evidenced by a syndrome of (a) shift of values towards individualism, (b) a sustained experience with economic stability and afflu ence, and (c) the evolution towards less parochial market relationships in these societies.

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