Cultural homogeneity and organizational structural configuration

Abstract

Studied the relation of organization structure and cultural homogeneity or heterogeneity in 6 Portuguese small businesses with 12–52 employees. Data on structural configuration and cultural homogeneity were obtained using case study techniques. The results were evaluated according to H. Mintzberg's (1979) structural organization model and E. H. Schein's (1992) organizational culture model. The results indicate that the emergence of a single culture or several subcultures within a small business depends on type of organizational structure. Processes associated with the development of homogeneous or heterogeneous cultures within organizations are discussed.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17575/rpsicol.v13i1/2.567