In the same way, there needs to be a “case” for combining cultures—function by unction. It is very likely that senior executives will see a need for a common and unified culture in some areas of the combination and for more pluralism in others, as in the high-tech, health care, and oil cases above. Occasionally, executives will be ready to articulate their case for combining cultures; more frequently, however, they will need prodding from HR professionals to make explicit what has been implicit in their thinking about the combined organization. In these instances, HR can work with the senior executive to assert up front: