The means-oriented versus goal-oriented dimension is, among the six dimensions, most closely connected with the effectiveness of the organisation. In a means oriented culture the key feature is the way in which work has to be carried out; people identify with the “how”. In a goal-oriented culture employees are primarily out to achieve specific internal goals or results, even if these involve substantial risks; people identify with the “what”.
In a very means-oriented culture people perceive themselves as avoiding risks and making only a limited effort in their jobs, while each workday is pretty much the same. In a very goal-oriented culture, the employees are primarily out to achieve specific internal goals or results, even if these involve substantial risks.
Internally driven vs. Externally driven
In a very internally driven culture employees perceive their task towards the outside world as totally given, based on the idea that business ethics and honesty matters most and that they know best what is good for the customer and the world at large. In a very externally driven culture the only emphasis is on meeting the customer’s requirements; results are most important and a pragmatic rather than an ethical attitude prevails.
This dimension is distinguishable from means- versus goal-orientation because, in this case, it is not impersonal results that are at stake, but the satisfaction of the customer, client or commissioning party.
Easygoing work discipline vs. Strict work discipline
This dimension refers to the amount of internal structuring, control and discipline. A very easygoing culture reveals loose internal structure, a lack of predictability, and little control and discipline; there is a lot of improvisation and surprises. A very strict work discipline reveals the reverse. People are very cost-conscious, punctual and serious.
In a local company, employees identify with the boss and/or the unit in which one works. In a professional organisation the identity of an employee is determined by his profession and/or the content of the job. In a very local culture, employees are very short-term directed, they are internally focused and there is strong social control to be like everybody else. In a very professional culture it is the reverse.
This dimension relates to the accessibility of an organisation. In a very open culture newcomers are made immediately welcome, one is open both to insiders and outsiders, and it is believed that almost anyone would fit in the organisation. In a very closed organisation it is the reverse.