WHY GLOBAL RESPONSES TO VALUES DIFFER.

UNITED States; UNITED Kingdom

The article analyzes a marked difference in the perception of company values between employees based in the U.S. and those in Great Britain. U.S. employees are typically reluctant to criticize their company or management; even if blatant circumstances would seem to demand that someone step forward and say their piece. However, there are usually one or two individuals who will step forward. British colleagues more willing to say what they think. This is found in business as well as in the media. The British media always seems to be more cutting and, at times, accusatory of its targets than U.S. media. If the British arm was an acquisition, then the current values of the U.S. owner may be in conflict with the old values of the original British company. This sort of thing often causes cynicism and can last for a very long time. There are also the cultural differences between the U.S. and Great Britain, two countries divided by a common language. The values and the way they are expressed may grate or be misunderstood by British. The U.S. is a very individualistic culture. It talks a lot about teamwork, but rewards individuals. Great Britain is also individualistic, but still much more group and consensus oriented than the U.S.