Constructing organizational culture in an international subsidiary: Elekta healthcare services in Greece

Abstract

Purpose

This study analyzes the development of organizational culture in an international subsidiary in healthcare through the interaction of the parent company and local culture.

Design/methodology/approach

We conducted a single case study on Elekta Greece, a subsidiary of the multinational company Elekta based in Sweden via interviews.

Findings

The company creates a unique organizational culture, called the Philotask culture, that takes into consideration the cultural contexts of Sweden and Greece, the value of philotimo, situation in the market, and the type of company and services.

Research implications/limitations

The model consists of a context-grounded framework focusing on healthcare. Research in other countries and industries can help to generalize this model.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that to develop organizational culture, managers need to consider the local cultural context.

Originality/value

This research contributes to organizational culture theory, reporting on the Philotask model that emerged.