Pattern Matching Organisational Cultures

ABSTRACT There are numerous methods of organisational cultural analysis, ranging from quantitative surveys with structured questions that are relatively quick to complete, to in-depth qualitative ethnographic studies that are more thorough, yet very time-consuming. Concept Mapping and Pattern Matching are two research techniques that combine the strengths of interpretive (emic) methods with some of the efficiencies of survey (etic) research. While Trochim's Concept Mapping technique has been previously employed in a study of organisational culture, Pattern Matching has not. The results of a study employing Trochim's Pattern Matching technique suggest that it can be a useful tool for an in-depth analysis of organisational culture. In particular, visual pattern ‘matches’ and ‘mismatches’ of cultural elements were portrayed for interpretation.