'understanding' a new 'work culture'

i am trying to understand:

• what is the 'career orientation' of people here?
• how do they percieve, define, professional growth?
• in a 'normalized' set up, how is excellence differentiated from mediocrity/ under performance? (if so)
• what are their underlying motivations at work - if any? (other than salary and perks)

i realize that these aspects of a person's professional life here is very different from professionals in other parts of the world. i need to delve deeper into understanding this.

the current trough of motivation among my colleagues isnt helping!