Corporate Culture: its Role in Groupthink as Exhibited in the Decision-Making Process

Abstract

In the past, much has been written on the dynamics of groups during, especially, the decision making process. In connection with this, other various researchers have attempted to explore one particular characteristic of detrimental group dynamics, viz., groupthink. Nonetheless, there has hardly been any research attempt aimed at exploring the role of culture in groupthink as exhibited in the decision making process. Consequently, this work presents a preliminary study of this aspect of the organisational decision making process. ..., The Office of Planning and Economic Development (Jimma), the Coffee Plantation Development Enterprise (Jimma), Jimma University, and the Ministry of Information and Culture (Addis Ababa) provided cases for the research endeavor . Data was collected through questionnaires, observation, interviewing, and archives analysis. Data thus gathered was analysed using such appropriate case study data analysis methods as ANOV A, pattern matching, and grounded theory. It was found out that organisational culture is positively linked with group think tendencies in all of the four organisations.