An empirical investigation of motivation and effective performance: A comparison of Arab and U.S. cultures

This study empirically examines motivational profiles within the Arab culture and compares them with the U.S. culture. The associations of needs for achievement, affiliation, and power with effectiveness (salary, promotion, and GPA) and job satisfaction in the Arab culture are investigated. The need for affiliation is negatively associated with effectiveness for managers and students, and the need for power is positively associated with effectiveness for managers. The Arab culture exhibits higher affiliation need, while the U.S. culture exhibits higher power and achievement needs. However, the two cultures exhibit similar profiles of effective motivation for managers, students, and professionals.