Cultural conflict in a bacteriology department: Apollo v. Athena

Abstract

Aims to explore the employees' perception of the organizational culture, as well as their cultural preference, and assess what might be the implications of any differences between the two. A questionnaire, largely based on one previously used by Charles Handy, was given to the MLSOs and the medical staff working in a bacteriology department. Analysis of the replies showed that there was a conflict between what was perceived as the existing culture and the preferred culture, and that the intensity of this conflict was associated with either stress or job dissatisfaction. The increased pace of changes affecting this department and the nature of the workforce profile, with many highly qualified and skilled employees, also suggested that a cultural change might be appropriate. Contains a number of recommendations which are budget neutral and which aim to achieve cultural change and increasing motivation.