Complementary person–culture values fit and hierarchical career status

Although career success is an issue of global concern, few studies have examined the antecedents of career success across cultures. In this study we test whether the relationship between individuals' self-enhancement values (achievement and power) and hierarchical status differs across 29 countries and whether this variation depends on countries' cultural value orientations. The results of the multilevel regressions indicate that the relationship between self-enhancement values and hierarchical status varies across the 29 countries and that the cultural value orientations of egalitarianism and hierarchy moderate this relationship. In line with trait-activation theory, individuals with high self-enhancement values were most likely to obtain hierarchical status if their values differentiated them from the other members of the culture.

► Building on Schwartz's values theories, we test a multilevel model of career success across 29 countries.
► Individuals' self-enhancement values (achievement and power) are positively associated with hierarchical status.
► The relationship between self-enhancement values and hierarchical status varies across countries.
► Cultural values moderate the relationship between self-enhancement values and hierarchical status.
► Self-enhancement values are stronger associated with hierarchical status in countries with non-matching cultural values.