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The protestant work ethic revisited: A promising concept or an outdated idea?

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  • Modrack, Simone

Abstract

The main task of this paper consists in gauging the analytical value of Max Weber´s Protestant Work Ethic, and in tackling the question of whether and how the concept is still used in current research and theory building. Reviewing existing literature, four broad areas of research are identified and discussed. It is found that the Protestant Work Ethic construct is not outdated but instead a valuable and promising approach which could add in particular to the growing research body on interactions between culture, institutions and economic outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Modrack, Simone, 2008. "The protestant work ethic revisited: A promising concept or an outdated idea?," Discussion Papers, Research Unit: Labor Market Policy and Employment SP I 2008-101, WZB Berlin Social Science Center.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:wzblpe:spi2008101
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    7. Yann Algan & Pierre Cahuc, 2005. "The Roots of Low European Employment: Family Culture?," NBER Chapters, in: NBER International Seminar on Macroeconomics 2005, pages 65-109, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    Cited by:

    1. Anna Shirokanova, 2015. "Protestant Work Ethic Among The Muslims: Changeable Empirical Evidence," HSE Working papers WP BRP 60/SOC/2015, National Research University Higher School of Economics.
    2. Rosemary Ann Frey & Lawrence Alfred Powell, 2009. "Protestant Work Ethic Endorsement and Social Justice Values in Developing and Developed Societies," Psychology and Developing Societies, , vol. 21(1), pages 51-77, January.

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