| Abstract: | Venezuela has experienced quite a rapid rate of change at mid century but has not been able to attain real economic development. Yet the desirability of progress is a commonly shared value, although there are important differences within the society; for example, in the ways in which work is conceived, or the degree to which the common Latin American values are ascribed. Besides, the concern with power, which is also identified as important within Venezuelan society and often gets combined with the socio-centric values into ‘political partisanship’, is a factor affecting organizational functioning, particularly in the public sector. Examples are given of unsuccessful and successful organizations, pointing out the need to take into account the commonalities and diversities in values identified within the society in the search of organizational alternatives more viable within the particular context. |
