Perceptions of the Characteristics of Good, Bad and Ordinary Workers on the Job: The Influence of Work Experience and Culture

Abstract

As noted in Kim & Sikula (2003; 2004), there are three types o f
people in the workplace: people o f Necessity, Common people,
and Parasites. A person o f Necessity is irreplaceable, crucial to
the functioning o f an organization. The Common person is a
worker o f average ability and talent who makes no significant
difference to the success o f an organization. Parasites are
detrimental freeloaders, harmful to the functioning o f an
organization.
In the 2004paper we analyzed the survey responses o f 25 students
in an MBA Organizational Behavior class, and o f 13 working
managers, all in the United States. In this paper we replicate our
2004 study in a different cultural setting an MBA Organizational
Behavior class in Bangalore, India and then compare the results.
The leading traits and behaviors that characterize the Necessity
and Parasite categories, in both data sets, are very similar.
Significant differences exist, however, between the data sets when
it comes to identifying the leading traits and behaviors that define
a Common worker. We conclude by exploring potential
explanations fo r the similarities and differences, based on the
respondents' work experience and cultural background