Organizational Culture in Ernst Young Serbia: From Proclaimed to Perceived Values

Abstract

In this paper, we examine the characteristics of organizational culture in Ernst Young Serbia. Employee perceptions of organizational culture were compared with the proclaimed company values. Interviews were conducted with 16 employees using the standardized questionnaire while the survey provided demographic and socio-economic profile of informants. Other research methods such as observation and participant observation were also used in the study. Based on the premise that organizational culture refers to a system of shared meaning held by members that distinguishes the organization from other organizations, we noticed a variety of employee perceptions including the collection of interpersonal relations, values, beliefs, attitudes, practices, rituals, rules and procedures. Ernst Young company defines its organizational culture in relation to the three core elements: inclusiveness, development and engagement. Proclaimed values of the company represent the desired employee behavior dimensions derived from above mentioned elements. These are: a) Integrity, respect, and teaming; b) Energy, enthusiasm, and the courage to lead; c) Building of relationships based on doing the right thing. Research has shown that the value system of the company has been successfully implemented in Serbia.

Keywords

• Ernst Young
• Serbia
• organizational culture
• proclaimed and perceived company values
• employees’ behavior dimensions