The work values of public, parapublic and private sector employees in Japan.

Abstract

This study provides evidence of construct validity for an intrinsic, extrinsic, prestige and social work values typology using a sample of 765 public, parapublic and private sector employees from Japan. Validity was established through triangulation analysis with work values scores from each sector analysed with a different method (principal components, cluster and smallest space analysis). In addition, the study presents evidence of sectoral differences in those work values. Public sector employees were found to place significant more importance on having (a) a sense of belonging than private sector employees and (b) a stable job in one company than both private and parapublic sector employees. Parapublic sector employees rated the aspects of directing others significantly higher than private sector employees who placed significant more importance on having the opportunity for salary increase than public sector employees. This study connects the field of public administration with the broader study of work values and provides a pathway for future research