An Ethnographic Research on Organizational Culture Experiences in Health Institutions

Abstract

Purpose – The aim of this study is to describe the organisational culture experienced and constructed by the employees of health institutions. It is aimed to gain new perspectives and deepen the understanding of organisational culture experiences in health institutions. Design/methodology/approach – The problem of this research is how to describe the organisational culture experienced by employees and managers in health institutions. In the research in which ethnography design was adopted, face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 nurses working under the same manager in a health institution. Criterion and snowball sampling strategies from purposive sampling methods were used in the study. The data were analysed with an emic and ethical approach in order to make a general cultural interpretation based on the description of the themes and group related to the concepts examined in the study. Ethnographic content analysis was conducted and Maxqda 2022 Analitycs Pro was used to visualise and present the data. Findings – The findings of the study are presented under the themes of "artifacts", "assumptions", "norms" and "hero: leader". According to the word finding analysis, it was seen that the participants used the words "patient" and "we" the most. Discussion – As a result of the study, it was seen that the discourse and behaviours of the unit manager as the main constructor of the organisational culture were very effective in the experiences of the employees. The language, assumptions and norms used in the organisation were adopted by the participants. Hierarchy culture and power distance in the organisation were revealed in the discourses and experiences of the participants. It is thought that the results of this study about the organisational culture experiences of nurses will expand the related literature. It is thought that more studies and policies are needed to improve organisational culture in health institutions.