A Cross-Regional Study of Work Goals in China

Abstract

Cluster analysis shows that China can be clustered into three groups in a meaningful way. After clustering China into three groups based on statistical data, we surveyed Chinese employees to examine the work goals differences among the three groups. Chinese employees considered opportunities for promotions and interpersonal relations as important work goals in all three regions. In contrast, job security was considered the most important goal by the employees in region 1 (low economic development and harsh weather), whereas the employees in region 3 (high economic development and less harsh weather) ranked job security as a less important work goal (i.e., the 10th most important work goal).