The Impact of Organization Culture on Performance in the National Water Company - Literature review Example

The Methodology Literature Review The impact of organization culture on performance in the National Water Company (NWC) in Kingdome of Saudi Arabia. Name: Student Number: Tutorial: Tutor: Due: Introduction My PhD research proposal is designed to examine the impact of organization culture on performance in the National Water Company (NWC) in Kingdome of Saudi Arabia. This paper critically reviews the research design and methodology used in five articles that focus on organizational culture and performance. A quantitative methodology based on this review will be employed in the completion of the study. A survey will be conducted among 200 employees from different levels in the organizational hierarchy. This essay will also use the literature review of these five articles as part of the research methodology. It will begin with a summary of each article to provide a background on the research, an introduction on the research design, data collection and sources, understand why the particular method was used and finally analyze the studies according to research techniques and methods used. The research design will focus on the research sample, research perspective and the rigor of the research design. Background Data collection and sources focus on the validity and reliability of the research and finally the analytical methods will focus on the type and purpose of analysis. In quantitative research, reliability refers to the ability to replicate same information if another study was carried in different times under same or similar methods. It shows internal consistencies and account for research objectivities (Neuman 2011). Reliability test is conducted to ensure errors and biases in a study are minimized. On the other hand, validity in a quantitative research refers to the extent at which a measure accurately represents the concept in claims to investigate (Suppiah and Sandhu 2010). It can either be internal or external depending on whether it addresses “the ability to apply with confidence the findings of the study to other people and other situations” or “the reasons for the outcomes of the study” respectively (Roberts et al 2006). Reliability for the studies under review has been tested and with the high reliability, the data in each has been deemed fit for further analysis. The statistical analysis of the collected data tested both the reliability and the validity of the data and the instruments used to collect the data. However, none of the studies under review mention or discuss the impact that practical limitations such as time, cost or limited access to resources may have had on the research (Neuman 2011). Without knowing whether the researchers considered such doubts, the impacts regarding credibility will remain. Data analysis involves the examination, categorization, tabulation, or otherwise recombining evidence with intent to draw empirically based conclusion (Neuman 2011). Evaluation of the analytical methods help in determining as to whether credibility has been achieved, and thus aspects such as type and purpose of analysis are considered. Methodology Literature review The articles identified for this analysis focus on the relationship between organizational culture and organizational performance. Understanding of organizational culture is central in adopting a greater emphasis on change, entrepreneurialism, flexibility, efficiency, outcomes and productivity in organizations (Parker and Bradley 2000). In another study by Rashid, Sambasivan and Johari (2003), a significant correlation between corporate culture and organizational commitment has been noted. Further, cultural innovation plays a mediating role on the correlation between organizational culture and firm performance (Uzkurt, Kumar, Kimzan and Eminoglu 2013; Ramachandran, Chong and Ismail 2011). All these studies employ only quantitative methodologies and their analysis concentrates on the quantitative concepts within the context in which they explain the correlation. Parker and Bradley’s (2000) study seeks for an understanding of organizational culture in the public sector and how a process of organizational change accompanied by managerial reforms in this sector can be directed towards the development of a post-bureaucratic organizational culture. According to Neuman (2011), a good understanding of the research design enhances the quality of any research project. It informs one’s thinking and lay foundations for the design of a project. In Parker and Bradley (2000) study, quantitative research design was used in determining the cultural characteristics in public organizations. They used a good number of samples even though some of the questionnaires were not used for the analysis. However, there is no mention for the rejection of the questionnaires. The research is designed to offer an explanation on the finding that organizations in the public sector are oriented towards a traditional bureaucratic model. In this study, the data collected through the three sections of the questionnaires was analyzed to be good and each culture type was used as a basis of hypothesis testing. Descriptive statistics and t-tests were used in the study to describe the distribution and determine significant differences in the two sets of data. In determining the differences in various departments variance was analyzed and the findings suggested that culture is deeply ingrained in the organization’s norms and values. Rashid, Sambasivan and Johari’s (2003) research examines the influence of organizational culture and commitment on the financial performance of companies. Their research design offers an exploratory tool that examines corporate culture and organizational commitment from various theoretical frameworks. The data is analyzed using SPSS programme to provide descriptive statistics. Pearson correlation, a regression ANOVA, MANOVA and Cronbanch alpha scores were also used in the analysis to test the correlation of the variables under investigation and the overall reliability of the study. Following the first analysis, Rashid, Sambasivan and Johari (2003) utilized a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) statistical test to determine how each of the variables tested influence financial performance of organizations. The findings are then compared with other previous studies for consistency. The research utilizes a number of questionnaires as a tool to measure the two variables (corporate culture and organizational commitment). To investigate the correlation between corporate culture and organizational commitment, the scholars used the Pearson Correlation and regression ANOVA statistical test. Different results were obtained for various types of organizational culture thus giving different inferences. The regression ANOVA test examined the relationship between organizational commitment and the corporate culture as a whole. On the other hand, a MANOVA test was used to determine the influence of organizational culture on financial performance. This can be inferred from the profitability ratios based on return on assets and return on investments. Similarly, the same test was used to analyze the influence of organizational commitment on financial performance. The results indicate consistency with early findings on the correlation between organizational commitment and/or corporate culture and profitability. Keen on the previous studies, the scholars have identified inconsistencies to one of the study used in their literature review. Sandhu and Suppiah’s (2011) study aims at investigating the influence of different types of organizational culture on implicit knowledge sharing behaviors in organizations. They have highlighted the whole process of collecting data through the questionnaire method. Giving a number of reasons for the use of selected models such as the competing values framework and organizational culture assessment instrument (OCAI), Sandhu and Visvalingam (2010) investigate the two dimensions of the study (tacit knowledge sharing behavior in organizations and organizational culture type). They have gone further to highlight the limitations encountered during the study for instance the small number of organizations incorporated in the study and the limitation involving the ipsative rating scale. A good research study should identify the limitations in data collection, methods and research design (Neuman 2011). This study has identified the reasons for the different types of analysis including Cronbach’s alpha, OCAI, correlation statistical analysis, descriptive statistics, factor analysis as well as inferential analysis. Their purpose of analysis to investigate the influence of organizational culture types on implicit knowledge sharing behavior in organizations has been achieved. This type of analysis allowed the scholars to identify similarities and differences related to their purpose. In Ramachandran, Chong and Ismail’s (2010) study, different types of organizational culture are examined in various institutions to provide empirical insights on the differences and thus paving an avenue for cross-learning. Ramachandran, Chong and Ismail (2010) collected data from public institutions using the competing values framework (CVF) and utilized the factor analysis to confirm the theoretical findings in literature with respect to the four types of organizational culture(i.e. clan, hierarchical, adhocracy and market) originally developed in the corporate sector. The sample t-tests used suggest a different perception of the four OC types between private and public institutions. Sampling in this study is divided into two strata; public and private. From each stratum data was collected using questionnaires. Similarly, this study utilized the OCAI developed by Cameron and Quinn (1999) based on the CVF. After determining the validity and reliability of the data collected, Ramachandran, Chong and Ismail (2011) highlight the use of factor analyses. The researchers calculated the average mean and standard deviation scores for the types of organizational culture in the private and public institutions. They have further analyzed the various dimensions of the OC assessment instrument in the quest to examine their research findings and thus providing empirical insights on the differences between the organizational culture in public and private institutions. Besides, they have utilized a one-way ANOVA to test the differences on OC among private and public institutions necessary for making comparisons with other studies. The findings from the analysis display the achievement of all the objectives set forth in the study. Finally, Uzkurt, Kumar, Kimzan and Eminoglu’s (2013) study examines the role of innovation in the relationship between culture and performance in an organization. Uzkurt, Kumar, Kimzam and Eminoglu’s (2013) research design involved the collection of data using questionnaires from a number of organizations after which it was analyzed to assess the relationship between organizational innovation, organizational culture and firm performance. The scholars have highlighted reasons for various innovative scales utilized in the study. The empirical investigation applied in this study makes an important contribution to the existing literature on the relationship between the three variables. The research design has been structured such that the findings of the study can be used to test the hypotheses. The scholars have identified the uniqueness of the study for examining the dimensions of organizational culture and innovativeness in the Turkish context unlike other studies. They have analyzed the mediating effect of innovation on organizational perfomance. The scholars have succinctly identified the variables in the investigation; independent, dependent, mediating and demographic, as well as their type of measures used in their analyses. Innovative culture scale is used to categorize the four constructs of organizational culture. The innovation scale was used to measure innovations in organizations. The dependent variable, firm performance, was measured in three dimensions that include profitability, market value and market share. The study’s purpose was to examine the relationship between organizational culture, innovativeness and firm’s performance. The analysis of basic dimensions of organizational culture provides useful information about the source for new ideas in an organization. Factor analysis, means, standard deviations, and correlation analysis were utilized in determining the relationships between the various research variables. Regression analysis was used to determine the overall relationship between the research variables. How has the review informed the methodological approach? The literature review on the impact of organization culture on performance has provided an understanding of the requirements of the methodological approach to be applied in a PhD research paper. Gaining a better understanding of what a research’s methodology involves by critically evaluating various approaches helps one to identify and learn from what has been done correctly. Limitations in the various research methodologies give a researcher an opportunity to make improvements in any future research. Just like the studies under review, the current research topic will focus on the influence of organizational culture on performance. The aim is to examine the impact of organization culture on performance in the National Water Company (NWC) in Kingdome of Saudi Arabia. A survey will be conducted among 200 employees from different levels in the organizational hierarchy. As part of methodology, the study will utilize the literature of the articles that have been reviewed and cover the gap in the literature (investigating from different levels of hierarchy), and thus offering a good justification for the choice of the research topic as well as methodology. Conclusion This research paper aimed to compare the methodological approaches among various studies and identify the strengths and weaknesses of the research design. This will help in determining a suitable research design for the proposed research project. It considered five articles, analyzing their research design and methods so as to understand and evaluate the methods used. The facets of research perspective, sample, validity and reliability, rigor of research, and type and purpose of analysis were examined to provide an understanding of what a research project’s methodology involves. List of References Fink, A. 2010. Conducting Research Literature Reviews: from the Internet to Paper, 3rd ed, Thousand Oaks: SAGE. Neuman, W. 2011. Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, 7th ed. Needham Heights. Pearson Education Ltd, Parker, R. and Bradley, L., 2000. Organizational culture in the public sector: Evidence from six organizations. The International Journal of Public Sector Management, 13(2), pp.125-141. Ramachandran, SD., Chong, SD. and Ismael, H., 2011. Organizational culture: An exploratory study comparing faculties’ perspectives within public and private universities in Malaysia. International Journal of Educational Management, 25(6), pp. 615-634. Rashid, ZA., Sambasivan, M. and Johari, J., 2003. The influence of corporate culture and organizational commitment on performance. Journal of Management Development, 22(8), pp 708-728. Roberts P et al, 2006. Reliability and Validity in Research. Nursing Standard. 20 (44), pp.41-45. Suppiah, V. and Sandhu, MJ., 2010. Organisational culture’s influence on tacit knowledge-sharing behavior, Journal of Knowledge Management, 15(3), pp 462-477. Uzkurt, C., Kumar, R. Kimzan, HS. and Eminoglu, G., 2013. Role of innovation in the relationship between organizational culture and firm performance: A study of the banking sector in Turkey. European Journal of innovation management, 16(1), pp. 92-117. Read More