”Happy people making happy soap” A study of organizational values in a value driven organization

Abstract

This essay explores organizational values from an employee perspective, within a value driven organization. The company on which this study was conducted, LUSH Sweden AB, is a value driven organization with a value base which in part consists of ethical values. The aim of the study was to examine the impact of the organizational values of a value driven organization, from an employee perspective. We explored the level of value integration and alignment with the employees and the day to day work, as well as the perception of value alignment with the CSR initiatives. Questions were formulated to aid in attaining the aim of the study. The questions were as follows: “To what extent are the organizational values integrated within the studied value driven organization?”, “To what extent are the organizational values aligned with the organization‟s CSR initiatives?”, “To what extent are the organizational values clearly communicated to the employees of the studied value driven organization?” and “To what extent are the organizational values aligned with the values of the employees?”. The theoretical framework of the essay was constructed using the works of several different researchers. The theories concern value clarity, organizational values, values as a motivational source and the motives behind a CSR initiative as well as its level of fit. These theories, together with previous research, provided the theoretical frame on which the analysis of the collected empirical material was based. An electronic questionnaire was distributed to 57 employees of LUSH Sweden AB. The questionnaire consisted of 40 questions divided into nine themes, based on values as expressed by the studied organization. The results of the survey showed that LUSH Sweden AB had a generally high level of value clarity as well as a seemingly active communication of the values from the management. The values showed an overall high level of alignment with the values of the employees as well as the day to day work in the organization. The values which showed a lower alignment also showed a lower level of value clarity, with some indications of that these values were less actively and/or clearly communicated by the management. The study also showed a relatively high alignment between the CSR initiatives conducted by the organization and the organizational values. The CSR initiatives highlighted by the employees had a seemingly high level of fit. The organizational values were a motivational source as they motivated the employees in their work. The values also seemed to have motivated individuals to seek employment, as well as remain employed, at the company.