The Work Values of Arab Teachers in Israel in a Multicultural Context

Abstract

The subjects of this study, 143 Arab elementary school teachers, represent an ethnic and religious minority in Israel, and work in schools based on a Western educational model. Their work values were measured by using the Islamic Work Ethic (IWE) and work individualism scales developed by Ali (1988). Based on the factor analysis of the IWE scale, three factors emerged: (1) personal and organizational obligations; (2) personal investment and dividends; and (3) personal effort and achievement. The relation of Ali's Islamic work ethic and work individualism scales to the traditional Western work values theory is discussed. The results of this study are compared to the findings of Ali (1988, 1992) obtained using the IWE and work individualism scales among Arab students in the United States and Arab managers in Saudi Arabia.