Employee Motivation Case

The University of Birmingham

The Birmingham Business School

An investigation into whether organisational culture is directly linked to motivation and performance through looking at Google Inc.

David Towers

Supervised by Suzana Rodrigues

Word count: 7359

Extended Essay 2005-2006 (07 14747 & 07 14748)

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Abstract

This article examines the relationship that exists between organisational culture and performance, and how these factors influence employee motivation. The issues are discussed at length, firstly through a review of the current literature relating to the topic, and secondly by means of investigating the organisational culture of Google.

Through examining the work of Denison (1990) and Truskie (1999) it is shown that some authors believe certain cultural aspects are important for organisational cultures to be successful. The frameworks of Martin (1992) and Goffee and Jones (1996) show that strong cultures exist where employees’ values are aligned to the values of the organisation. Though looking at the empirical evidence of Kotter and Heskett (1992), it is shown that there is indeed a link between strong organisational cultures and performance, but only strategically appropriate cultures are successful. Finally, it is suggested that there has been a trivialisation of organisational culture, (Alvesson, 2002) and culture is a facet of an organisation not an object of an organisation.

Consequently, the manifestations of

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