Chapter 2 discussed values congruence mostly in the context of an employee’s personal values versus the organization’s values. But values congruence also relates to the juxtaposition of other pairs of value systems. Explain how values congruence is relevant with respect to organizational versus professional values (i.e., values of a professional occupation, such as physician, accountant, pharmacist).

Values congruence is defined as how similar a person’s values hierarchy is to the values hierarchy of the other in comparison. The textbook explains that values congruence comes in different forms, such as individual with organization and organization with society. This question asks about values congruence between the organization and a professional group (accountants, lawyers, engineers, teachers etc.).

For example, an engineer working for an auto manufacturer may be asked to design a gas tank that minimizes cost beyond established minimum engineering standards. In this case values incongruence may occur because the engineer’s profession dictates that public safety be paramount in all design considerations.

Hence, values congruence is relevant when it comes to situations involving decision-making affecting both parties’ interest. Students may also discuss the ways to go about this kind of conflicting situations.

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