Exploring the link between organizational culture and organizational effectiveness: Multi-dimensional and multi-level perspectives

Given the holistic theoretical roots of organizational culture, research on the relationship between culture and effectiveness should be characterized by multidimensional and multilevel approaches. However, the opposite is the case: Most studies focus on individual culture dimensions on an overall organizational level. We believe that this perspective is problematic, as it neglects the complexity of organizational culture and might thus yield limited conclusions. In order to address this issue, this paper offers suggestions on how to look at the culture-effectivenesslink from multidimensional and multilevel perspectives. First, we provide an overview of the current state of research and outline the drawbacks associated with conventional single-dimensional approaches. Second, we introduce three multidimensional culture variables and propose how each of them is related to effectiveness outcomes. Third, we discuss how the organizational level of analysis affects these relationships. Finally, directions for future research and practical implications are addressed.