Investigating Organizational Culture: A Comparison of a ‘High’- and a ‘Low’-Performing Residential Unit for People with Intellectual Disabilities

✍ Scribed by Elizabeth Gillett; Biza Stenfert-Kroese

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2003
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 74 KB
• Volume: 16
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1360-2322
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1468-3148.2003.00170.x

✦ Synopsis

Background This pilot study investigates organizational culture in small community‐based residential services for people with intellectual disabilities, one of the under‐researched determinants of staff behaviour and performance. Staff performance is of primary importance in the provision of quality services.

Materials and methods Two matched residential units were assessed using COMPASS: A Multi‐Perspective Evaluation of Quality in Home Life, and identified as ‘high’ and ‘low’ performing. The organizational culture of the units was assessed using the Organizational Culture Inventory in order to investigate any associations.

Results The unit with better quality outcomes demonstrated a more positive organizational culture overall, with statistically significant lower scores on three negatively influential cultural styles, namely, oppositional, competitive and perfectionistic.

Conclusions There may well be a meaningful relationship between organizational culture and quality outcomes, although the nature of this relationship is far from clear. The continuation of investigations into organizational culture is encouraged.