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Mapping values in old vs new members of the European Union: A comparative analysis of public sector cultures

Ben Capell (ESADE Business School, Barcelona, Spain)
S. Kubra Canhilal (ESADE Business School, Barcelona, Spain)
Ruth Alas (Estonian Business School, Tallinn, Estonia)
Lutz Sommer (Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, Albstadt, Germany)
Carolin Ossenkop (VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal

ISSN: 1352-7606

Article publication date: 14 October 2013

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is twofold. The first purpose is to provide a synthesis of the dominant cross-cultural models and to present the more recent tri-axial model as a promising alternative that responds well to the limitation of prevailing models. Consequently, the second purpose is to employ the model to explore key differences in the culture and values of public service organisations in old and new EU member states.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper surveyed public sector employees in four different countries, two old EU (OEU) states (Germany, The Netherlands) and two new EU (NEU) states (Estonia, Lithuania). The employees were asked to classify 60 values on the three axes of the tri-axial model and to select the five most important values in their organization. The survey replies were analyzed and mapped to facilitate comparison of the tri-axial cultural profile of the two EU clusters.

Findings

The results show differences in value orientation between the two groups of countries: the public sector in the OEU member states appears to be more ethically and less pragmatically oriented than in the NEU member states. Findings show that in the new member states, value congruence is very high across demographic groups, in contrast to the situation encountered in the OEU member states.

Research limitations/implications

Further research should include more countries before generalising the conclusions of this study to the rest of the OEU and NEU countries. Furthermore, although collecting data from a homogeneous unit (e.g. public sector) suggests more valid comparison, in the future, research should strive to also examine additional units, for example private companies.

Practical implications

The conclusions derived from this exploratory cultural mapping provide useful knowledge for improving international collaboration across public sector organizations.

Originality/value

This study is the first study that maps the values in the public sector using the tri-axial model.

Keywords

Citation

Capell, B., Kubra Canhilal, S., Alas, R., Sommer, L. and Ossenkop, C. (2013), "Mapping values in old vs new members of the European Union: A comparative analysis of public sector cultures", Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal, Vol. 20 No. 4, pp. 503-527. https://doi.org/10.1108/CCM-02-2013-0030

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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