Abstract
Drawing on self-determination theory and the model-minority hypothesis, this study explored potential differences in the work values and labor market perceptions of ethnic minorities and women relative to the majority group. Results, based on a sample of senior-level university students across Canada, revealed notable differences in the work values and levels of labor market confidence for these groups. Ethnic minorities reported higher intrinsic, extrinsic, social, and altruistic work values than Whites. Moreover, women reported lower intrinsic values, but higher extrinsic, social, and altruistic work values relative to men. With respect to perceptions of labor market confidence, both ethnic minorities and women expressed lower confidence in their labor market prospects than majority group respondents. Results from this study are consistent with self-determination theory and the model-minority hypothesis, and reinforce the need for organizations to more actively align their job design and recruitment efforts with the work values of minority workers. Implications for future research and the recruitment of minority workers are discussed.
Notes
Authorship listed in alphabetical order. Both authors contributed equally to this work.
Authorship listed in alphabetical order. Both authors contributed equally to this work.
1. From a minority member's perspective, we note that altruistic values may also reflect a component of self-interest or self-preservation (Frohlich Citation1974; Carman Citation1992; Coon and Kemmelmeier 2001).
2. The ‘model-minority’ descriptor commonly applies to immigrants and their descendants from East Asia (e.g., China, Japan, Korea) and South Asia (e.g., India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) (Cheng Citation1997).