Managerial Attitudes of Greeks: The Roles of Culture and Industrialization

Abstract

This study examines the relative roles of cultural background and degree of industrialization in the managerial beliefs of a sample of Greek managers.1 Findings are compared with the previous results reported by Haire, Ghiselli, and Porter (1966) and Clark and McCabe (1970). The Greeks were as inconsistent as those in these two previous studies in displaying little belief in their subordinates' capacities for leadership and initiative while advocating the practice of participative management. On two beliefs (capacity for leadership and initiative and belief in internal control) the Greeks tended to cluster with a Latin-European cluster, thereby suggesting a cultural explanation. On the other hand, regarding beliefs in sharing information with subordinates and participative management the Greeks clustered with a developing countries cluster, thereby suggesting an industrialization explanation. Exclusive focus on either explanation of managerial attitudes and beliefs does not seem warranted.