This paper explores how the individual values of self-direction, power, and benevolence predict career decisions (self- or paid employment). By observing heterogeneity in career patterns across countries, this research examines the moderating effect of cultural contexts (gender egalitarianism, performance orientation, and collectivism) on this relationship. Blending the theory of human values (THVs) and institutional theory (IT), we test hypotheses using the World Values Survey (WVS) Wave 6 data and GLOBE cultural dimensions from 21,286 individuals in 26 countries. The findings show that only self-direction value increases the likelihood of being self-employed. However, the post-hoc analysis offers more insightful findings: the decision towards innovative entrepreneurship instead of routine self-employment is explained by all values of self-direction, power, and benevolence, together with individualistic culture. Overall, this study finds that the influence of individual values is greater than cultural context on career choice and it differs between self- versus paid employment and innovative entrepreneurship versus routine self-employment.

中文翻译：

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个人价值观和职业选择：文化背景是否会影响这种关系？

本文探讨了自我指导、权力和仁慈的个人价值观如何预测职业决策（自雇或有偿就业）。通过观察各国职业模式的异质性，本研究检验了文化背景（性别平等主义、绩效导向和集体主义）对这种关系的调节作用。我们融合了人类价值理论 (THV) 和制度理论 (IT)，使用世界价值调查 (WVS) 第 6 波数据和来自 26 个国家/地区的 21,286 个人的 GLOBE 文化维度来检验假设。研究结果表明，只有自我指导价值会增加个体经营的可能性。然而，事后分析提供了更有见地的发现：以自我指导、权力和仁慈的所有价值观以及个人主义文化来解释对创新创业而非常规自营职业的决定。总体而言，本研究发现，个人价值观对职业选择的影响大于文化背景，并且在自主就业与有偿就业以及创新创业与常规自主就业之间存在差异。