Ollaanko organisaatiokulttuurioppia kaivamassa haudasta? Katsaus opin historiaan ja teemoihin

Abstract

In the title of my article, I have quoted the well-known organizational researcher Joanne Martin, who saw signs of the revival of cultural theory at the beginning of the 21st century, which was thought to be dead. She stated, quoting the Bible, “Lazarus has risen from the dead”. Even though the new learnings at the time showed signs of cultural theory coming to life, nothing like the 1980s phenomenon emerged. But now the COVID-19 pandemic with its remote work has caused the researchers to ask if we will see the resurrection of cultural theory. The article discusses the concept of organizational culture and some of its most common definitions. It is noted that the concept has remained vague and there is no generally accepted definition. It is concluded that on the basis of research literature, each researcher must choose and present the concepts they use with definitions. The birth of cultural science and the short period of glory are discussed. On the basis of many well-known researchers, it is concluded that the great commercial success of cultural science resulted in the destruction of its theoretical research and in-depth reflection: consultants and bestseller authors made quickly a lot of money, while scientists buried themselves in their foxholes to wage their own scientific wars. The debate on corporate culture research has been most marked by the five themes discussed in the article: (1) whether culture is a variable or a basic metaphor, (2) a quantitative or qualitative approach, (3) the illusion of a homogeneous culture, (4) the connection between culture and result and (5) an organizational culture or an organizational climate. The article introduces the debate around the organizational culture and organizational climate. It is decided to propose that the organizational climate with its premises should be restored to its value. As the organizational climate study already existed before the organizational culture concept, which then was marketed efficiently with a large amount of money, pushed the climate concept into a margin with its studies. The meaning of organizational culture/-climate is addressed in the dynamics of the organization, where job satisfaction and motivation and the meaningfulness of work are built in the last resort. Finally, the importance of organizational culture theory and research to date will be assessed.