Discussion
What can we observe from analysis and comparison of the seven case studies? Firstly, all
seven organisations, which are very similar when assessed using criteria such as industry, size,
age, life cycle, all share at first sight very similar profiles of compensation practice, but
deeper analysis highlights profound differences. For example, the role of compensation in
Grocery Co. might be characterised as corporate control. In Cig Co. this is less so, and might
be characterized as an attempt to lead the overall organisation corporately in a defined
strategic direction. The emphasis in Choc Co. is fostering and sustaining a commitment based
culture orientated around the local organisation, but operating under the umbrella values of
the group organisation overall.
Secondly, and perhaps most significantly, what is intended is not what is always
achieved in practice. A simple observation conceptually but of grave significance practically,
is the existence of a disconnection – or gap – between the three levels of the compensation