A study of cross‐cultural differences in work attitudes among three groups of Israeli prison employees

The study investigated differences in work attitudes among three cultural groups of Israeli prison officers: Druze (N = 83), Jews of North African origin (N = 127) and Jews of Georgian origin (N = 96). Several hypotheses were derived from previous knowledge of the three cultures and differences were explored in the relationships between perceptions and attitudes concerning specific aspects of the job on the one hand, and two measures of overall affective responses—general job satisfaction and tedium—on the other hand. Consistent cross‐cultural differences that can be related to characteristics of the studied cultures were revealed only with regard to satisfaction with promotion and to role ambiguity. No other coherent and meaningful cross‐cultural differences could be identified. The theoretical and practical significance of these results is discussed and a general direction for future studies in this area is recommended.