Cross-cultural equivalence of the organisational culture survey in Australia

Abstract

The aim is to assess the cross cultural equivalence of a South African survey of corporate culture in an Australian context. The factor structure of the Organisational Culture Survey (OCS) as a measuring instrument of organisational culture is analysed to identify if the metric qualities persist in an Australian context. The credentials of the instrument are presented and its’ place within a logical positivist paradigm. The difficulties in cross-border use of such instruments is discussed with reference to differences between the national cultures of South Africa and Australia and the significance of those differences for local organisational cultures. The conclusion is that statistical calculations confirm the instrument’s validity and consistency within an Australian context, but that further research is required into the experiential and conceptual equivalence of the survey items and factors underpinning the items to establish its utility.