The work ethic is an important concept, since working is an essential activity in every economy. A considerable amount of cross-national research evidence is available and some findings have practical policy relevance. The original historically derived concept of a 'Protestant work ethic' is no longer appropriate, since particularly high work ethic (centrality of work) scores exist in Japan, Israel and Slovenia. However, almost everywhere one or more of four values are thought to characterize working; it can be seen as a burden, a constraint, a responsibility, or a social contribution. Another useful distinction shows that people distinguish between work as an obligation or an entitlement. The USA, for instance, has very low entitlement expectations while several European countries have high scores on entitlement and Japan is in a middle position.

It should also be noticed that the term 'work' in the work ethic concept should include many important but usually unpaid activities, like rearing children, looking after a household, and doing voluntary jobs for local as well as international societies and charities.

The most policy-relevant practical findings from the available literature suggests that work ethic values everywhere are high with people who have interesting, varied jobs which enjoy a fair amount of autonomy or self-regulation. This would suggest that investment in education and job design are appropriate policies for strengthening the work ethic.

Frank Heller & S. Antonio Ruiz-Quintanilla