A qualitative exploration of organizational culture and workplace stressors:A competing values approach

This study sought to investigate the extent to which differing organizational cultures might be associated with different types of work stressors, and whether manifestations and perceptions of work stressors varied as a function of organizational culture. Researchers have not yet extensively considered this question in the context of a theoretical framework of organizational culture. Interviews were conducted with 77 employees representing the four Competing Values Framework culture types. Results revealed that work stressors within organizational cultures were manifested as a function of the primary organizational values, and that human relations culture stressors were additionally related to others not abiding by the primary workplace values. Further, results revealed that several employees (within the flexible-type cultures especially) described workplace events more as a challenge than stressful, and that these employees tended to report a similarity between themselves and the organization. These findings suggested that a person’s fit with the organizational culture has importance in the investigation of organizational culture and perceptions of work stressors.