Differences on Motivation Factors of Chinese and American Knowledge Workers & Analysis in Economic and Cultural Aspects

Motivation of knowledge workers is a new topic for human resource management in the world companies now. As the cooperation between Chinese companies and American companies has deepened, it has been urgent to make research on the differences on motivation factors of knowledge workers in two countries and analyzes it in economic and cultural aspects. The writer, by comparisons on motivation factors of Chinese and American knowledge workers, analyzes the differences on motivation factors and interfering factors, and indicates economic and cultural reasons. Finally, the writer makes a conclusion: the basis of difference on motivation factors of Chinese knowledge workers and American knowledge workers is their income difference. Meanwhile, the difference reflects cultural difference of the two countries. Compared with the United States, motivation factors of Chinese knowledge workers are more complicated and contingent. By means of understanding these differences, it is significant to develop cross-cultural management in Chinese and American companies.