JOB VALUES OF FRENCH SPEAKING BUSINESS STUDENTS IN FRANCE AND CANADA: AN OVER TIME STUDY

This article reports the results of a cross‐cultural study carried out at two different time periods ranging from late 1970s to late 1980s on job related motivations, personality and values of business students in France and Canada. The major research objective was to investigate the similarities and differences in the achievement motivation of the French Canadians, and French students, their value structures and the characteristics they look for in a job. A related objective was to see how these have been affected over time. The results indicate that Canadians were more pragmatic and self‐oriented, seeking to excel in their jobs and wishing to be rewarded by leading a comfortable life and recognition. French students, on the other hand, put greater value on the peer group, tended to search for enriching and diverse social relationships and placed a higher value on spiritual and society oriented goals. Over time both national groups had become more acquisitive, and they displayed greater concern for peer status and excellence.