Do Organizations Reflect National Cultures?

It is often argued that national culture plays an important in the role in shaping the behaviors of individuals and organizations. These behaviors resultantly affect the individual and organizational performance. However, although plenty of research has been done so far to develop the constructs of national culture, little work has been seen so far in the context of Sub-Saharan African countries, particularly Uganda. This study examines literature for theoretical and empirical evidence on the influence of national culture and contends that the successful adoption of organizational practices is mediated by a country s dominant cultural dimensions as well as the fundamental characteristics of the people in these organizations whose culture is shaped by the environment that surrounds them. It offers a framework that adds to the existing knowledge of the adoption of organizational practices and its implications for proficient strategy execution and sustained competitive advantage by integrating arguments developed in the national culture arena.

Autorentext

Guma Prince is a management researcher and consultant. His research focuses on the applicability and transferability of universal practices. He currently manages Social and Economic Alternatives to Development (SEAD) Uganda, a local think-tank dedicated to institutional strengthening,and improving Uganda's socio-economic mechanics.