Behaviors chosen or forced to choose: Norms and values assumed by executives
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Abstract
This research explores and describes some of the values and norms that business executives use to choose their behaviors in work, social and family environments. Using qualitative methodology, data collection was conducted with the support of the projective technique called "life history". The coding and analysis of the applied technique allowed the reporting of norms and values that are in use by executives. Fifty-three executives from companies from different sectors participated in this research. The analyzes show that the executives follow and align their behaviors to norms and values that demonstrate their memberships with the groups. These guidelines have positive and, in others, negative effects for themselves, their family, their co-workers and their friends. Among the first, it stands out that executives seek to demonstrate and demand the profitable use of time, achieve their development and growth of the organization, and achieve leadership positions. Frames of reference for their behaviors with non-positive or ambiguous effects are also observed. Among these, it is shown that executives present as norms and values being willing to sacrifice their family time for the company's objectives, tolerating conditions of mistreatment and mistreatment, and staying on the sidelines or getting involved as little as possible with the people with whom they work.
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