Achievement vs Ascription

Definition

Achievement vs ascription refers to a cultural distinction where achievement emphasizes individual accomplishments and capabilities, while ascription values social status and characteristics that individuals are born into, such as family background or ethnicity. This distinction can significantly influence workplace dynamics and HR practices, as cultures may prioritize one over the other in employee selection, promotion, and overall organizational culture.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In cultures that value achievement, employees are often evaluated based on their performance, skills, and results, leading to a competitive workplace environment.
2. Conversely, in ascriptive cultures, hiring and promotion may rely more on factors like family connections or educational pedigree rather than individual merit.
3. Organizations operating in achievement-oriented cultures may encourage personal development and continuous learning to foster employee growth.
4. Ascription-based cultures may focus on maintaining social harmony and relationships over individual accomplishments, affecting team dynamics and decision-making.
5. Understanding the balance between achievement and ascription is crucial for multinational companies to effectively manage diverse workforces across different cultural backgrounds.

Review Questions

• How do achievement-oriented cultures differ from ascription-oriented cultures in terms of employee evaluation?
  • Achievement-oriented cultures tend to evaluate employees based on their individual performance and results, emphasizing skills and accomplishments. This creates a competitive environment where success is directly linked to personal effort. In contrast, ascription-oriented cultures may prioritize factors such as social status or familial connections when evaluating employees, which can lead to a workplace dynamic that values relationships over individual merit.
• What implications do achievement and ascription have on HR practices in multinational organizations?
  • In multinational organizations, understanding the balance between achievement and ascription is essential for effective HR practices. Organizations may need to tailor their recruitment, evaluation, and promotion strategies to align with the cultural values of the regions they operate in. For example, companies in achievement-focused cultures may implement merit-based performance reviews, while those in ascriptive cultures might prioritize maintaining social networks and familial ties within their hiring processes.
• Evaluate how the concepts of achievement and ascription can impact team collaboration and communication in a culturally diverse workplace.
  • The concepts of achievement and ascription can significantly impact team collaboration and communication by shaping how individuals perceive each other's roles within a team. In achievement-driven teams, members may expect open communication about performance metrics and contributions, fostering a culture of accountability. Conversely, in ascription-driven teams, there might be more emphasis on respect for hierarchy and established roles based on social background, potentially hindering open dialogue. Understanding these differences is crucial for leaders to create inclusive environments where all team members feel valued regardless of their cultural background.

Related terms

Meritocracy: A social system in which individuals' success is based on their abilities and efforts rather than their background or social status.

Cultural Dimensions Theory: A framework developed by Geert Hofstede that explores how cultural values influence behavior in organizations and can impact management practices.

Social Stratification: The hierarchical arrangement of individuals in society based on factors like wealth, power, education, and social status.