Organisational culture and effectiveness: a multi-perspective analysis on Indian knowledge-intensive firm

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate the theorised relationship between organisational culture and effectiveness.
Design/methodology/approach - The empirical data were collected through a five month ethnographic study in an Indian knowledge-intensive firm. It adopts the three perspectives framework of culture that encompasses integration, differentiation and fragmentation perspectives and a comprehensive examination of effectiveness.
Findings: Integrated, differentiated and fragmented perspectives of culture capture multiple organizational values and they affect effectiveness in varied ways. Appropriate cultures, although not sufficient conditions, are crucial for effectiveness, especially in knowledge- intensive firms. High levels of differentiation and fragmentation prevent the formation of strong cultures. This challenges organisational integration.
Practical implications: There is a heightened need for the application of sophisticated HRM systems in rhe software sector. Some context specific measures of effectiveness are documented.
Originality/value: Through an insightful evaluation of culture effectiveness theorisation till date, the article amplifies current theorisation and illustrates the potential and limitations of organisational cultures in achieving effectiveness.
Paper type - Research paper

This is the accepted version of the manuscript "Organisational culture and effectiveness: a multi-perspective analysis on Indian knowledge-intensive firm", published in the journal "Employee Relations" available via the journal site at: https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-09-2017-0219 . This article is © Emerald Group Publishing and permission has been granted for this version to appear here in the Middlesex University Research Repository. Emerald does not grant permission for this article to be further copied/distributed or hosted elsewhere without the express permission from Emerald Group Publishing Limited.