7. Institutional Collectivism

"Institutional collectivism" is defined as "the degree to which organizational and societal institutional practices encourage and reward collective distribution of resources and collective action" (House et al, p. 30). Some of the characteristics of societies that have high and low institutional collectivism (based on House et al, Table 16.2, p. 459):

HIGH INSTITUTIONAL COLLECTIVISM societies have these characteristics...

• Members assume that they are highly interdependent with the organization.
• Group loyalty is encouraged, even if this undermines the pursuit of individual goals.
• The society's economic system tends to maximize the interests of collectives.
• Rewards are driven by seniority, personal needs, and/or within-group equity.
• Critical decisions are made by groups.

LOW INSTITUTIONAL COLLECTIVISM societies have these characteristics...

• Members assume that they are largely independent of the organization.
• Pursuit of individual goals is encouraged, even at the expense of group loyalty.
• The society's economic system tends to maximize the interests of individuals.
• Rewards are driven very largely by an individuals contribution to task success.
• Critical decisions are made by individuals