TY - JOUR
T1 - Mapping values in old vs new members of the European Union: A comparative analysis of public sector cultures
AU - Capell, B.
AU - Canhilal, K.
AU - Alas, R.
AU - Sommer, L.
AU - Ossenkop, C.
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - The purpose of the paper is twofold. The first purpose is to provide a synthesis of the dominant cross-cultural models and to present the more recent tri-axial model as a promising alternative that responds well to the limitation of prevailing models. Consequently, the second purpose is to employ the model to explore key differences in the culture and values of public service organisations in old and new EU member states. – The paper surveyed public sector employees in four different countries, two old EU (OEU) states (Germany, The Netherlands) and two new EU (NEU) states (Estonia, Lithuania). The employees were asked to classify 60 values on the three axes of the tri-axial model and to select the five most important values in their organization. The survey replies were analyzed and mapped to facilitate comparison of the tri-axial cultural profile of the two EU clusters. – The results show differences in value orientation between the two groups of countries: the public sector in the OEU member states appears to be more ethically and less pragmatically oriented than in the NEU member states. Findings show that in the new member states, value congruence is very high across demographic groups, in contrast to the situation encountered in the OEU member states. – Further research should include more countries before generalising the conclusions of this study to the rest of the OEU and NEU countries. Furthermore, although collecting data from a homogeneous unit (e.g. public sector) suggests more valid comparison, in the future, research should strive to also examine additional units, for example private companies. – The conclusions derived from this exploratory cultural mapping provide useful knowledge for improving international collaboration across public sector organizations. – This study is the first study that maps the values in the public sector using the tri-axial model. © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
AB - The purpose of the paper is twofold. The first purpose is to provide a synthesis of the dominant cross-cultural models and to present the more recent tri-axial model as a promising alternative that responds well to the limitation of prevailing models. Consequently, the second purpose is to employ the model to explore key differences in the culture and values of public service organisations in old and new EU member states. – The paper surveyed public sector employees in four different countries, two old EU (OEU) states (Germany, The Netherlands) and two new EU (NEU) states (Estonia, Lithuania). The employees were asked to classify 60 values on the three axes of the tri-axial model and to select the five most important values in their organization. The survey replies were analyzed and mapped to facilitate comparison of the tri-axial cultural profile of the two EU clusters. – The results show differences in value orientation between the two groups of countries: the public sector in the OEU member states appears to be more ethically and less pragmatically oriented than in the NEU member states. Findings show that in the new member states, value congruence is very high across demographic groups, in contrast to the situation encountered in the OEU member states. – Further research should include more countries before generalising the conclusions of this study to the rest of the OEU and NEU countries. Furthermore, although collecting data from a homogeneous unit (e.g. public sector) suggests more valid comparison, in the future, research should strive to also examine additional units, for example private companies. – The conclusions derived from this exploratory cultural mapping provide useful knowledge for improving international collaboration across public sector organizations. – This study is the first study that maps the values in the public sector using the tri-axial model. © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
U2 - 10.1108/CCM-02-2013-0030
DO - 10.1108/CCM-02-2013-0030
M3 - Article
SN - 1352-7606
VL - 20
SP - 503
EP - 527
JO - Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal
JF - Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal
IS - 4
ER -
