International Journal of Contemporary Management
Volume 14 (2015) Number 3, s. 115
–
132
doi:10.4467/24498939IJCM.15.007.4309
BASIC ASSUMPTIONS OF ORGANIZATIONAL
CULTURE IN RELIGIOUSLY DIVERSE
ENVIRONMENTS
Barbara Mazur*
Abstract
Background
. The framework of this study is guided by “organizational culture”,
which directs the way people behave in an organization. Culture, together with
religion is considered to be an influential source of basic cultural assumptions,
cultural values and artifacts reflected in organizational culture.
Research aims.
This paper explores the relationship between culture, religion
and the culture of an organization at the level of basic assumptions. The research
hypothesis is that religion, which is considered a factor of culture and is operation
-
alized by cultural dimensions such as: individualism/collectivism, power distance,
uncertainty avoidance and masculinity/femininity affects the level of basic assump
-
tions of organizational culture. The main objective of the paper is to build the model
of organizational culture on the level of basic assumptions and test this model by
two-fold verification in companies operating in different religious environments.
Methodology.
The scope of the research is the organizational culture of two compa-
nies performing in Podlasie region. The method used in the research is comparative
case study built on quantitative research techniques. Those techniques embrace two
kinds of questionnaires addressed to the employees of both studied organizations.
Key findings.
The study shows that cultural dimensions could be used to explore
religion’s influence (Catholic and Orthodox) on an organizational culture.
Keywords:
organizational culture, basic assumptions, religion, management
INTRODUCTION
The research assumed that religion is one of the most important factors
influencing the cultural dimensions of the organization. Abundant
*
Bialystok University of Technology.
116
Barbara Mazur
evidence affirms that religious beliefs affect a wide range of behavioral
outcomes and that religious activity can affect economic performance.
Past researches have provided strong evidence of a link between
religion and various work attitudes and specifically with motivation,
job satisfaction, and even organizational commitment (Parboteeah,
Paik & Cullen, 2010, pp. 51–61).
Exploring the relationship between religion and organizational
culture would be highly beneficial, since it determines the behavior
of organization members. It is important to note that 72% of the
world’s population, 4.6 billion people out of a total world population of
6.4 billion in 2004, were members and practitioners of the belief and
value systems of the Jewish, Christian, Islamic, Hindu and Buddhist
religions. According to the 2004 Encyclopedia Britannica Book of the
Year there were 4.353 billion members of differing religions in the
world in mid-2003. There were also a total of 149 million atheists and
784 million non-religious people resulting in 82% of the world’s popu-
lation believing in or following a religious or spiritual tradition. It can
