Passion in corporate cultures?! The role of passion in the organisational culture of a Dutch and a German business

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

1.1 Background and relevance of the study

1.2 Central research themes

1.3 Central research questions

1.4 Central research aims

1.5 Contribution of the study

1.6 Further structure and content of the study

2. Passion in corporate cultures?! – Answers from literature

2.1 Investigating the concept of passion

2.1.1 In search for the elements of passion

2.1.2 Alternative ways to look at passion

2.1.3 The concept of passion – Implications of the findings for this research

2.2 Examining the concept of (passionate) corporate cultures

2.2.1 The four energy zones model (Bruch & Ghoshal, 2003)

2.2.2 The Gods of management classification (Handy, 1995)

2.2.3 Confucianism or the theory of the Ren and the Li – Part II (Weymes, 2005)

2.2.4 The concept of (passionate) corporate cultures – Implications of the findings for this study

2.3 A new way of combining the concepts of passion and corporate culture

2.3.1 The first dimension – Body

2.3.2 The second dimension – Mind

2.3.3 The third dimension – Soul

2.3.4 The fourth dimension – Spirit

2.3.5 A model of the four-dimensionality of passionate corporate cultures

2.3.6 The 4D model of passionate corporate cultures – Implications of the findings for this research

2.4 Summary of the literature review

3. Research Design

3.1 Phenomenology

3.2 The cases

3.2.1 Selection criteria

3.2.2 Description of the organisations

3.3 The methods

3.3.1 Preparatory booklets

3.3.2 Semi-structured interviews

3.3.3 Observations

3.4 The data collection

3.4.1 The data collection process at K&S

3.4.2 The data collection process at Hotel Bristol

3.5 The data analysis

3.5.1 Phase 1: Reducing the data and making them anonymous

3.5.2 Phase 2: Arranging and assembling the data

3.5.3 Phase 3: Establishing and identifying key themes and patterns

3.6 Limitations during the research process

3.7 Summary of the research design

4. Results

4.1 Interview and observation results

4.1.1 Main findings at Kessels & Smit

4.1.2 Interim summary of the main findings at Kessels & Smit

4.1.3 Main findings at Hotel Bristol

4.1.4 Interim summary of the results at Hotel Bristol

4.2 Further findings regarding the concept of passion and corporate cultures

4.2.1 The elements of the concept of passion

4.2.2 The elements of corporate cultures and the links to passion

4.3 Summary of the results chapter

5. Discussion & Conclusion

5.1 Discussion of the conclusions from the analysis process

5.1.1 Answers to the question: ‘What is the concept of passion?’

5.1.2 Recommendations regarding the concept of passion

5.1.3 Answers to the question: ‘To what does the concept of passion relate in corporate cultures?’

5.1.4 Recommendations regarding the concept of passion

5.1.5 Answers to the question: ‘What factors nurture/ inhibit passion in corporate cultures?’

5.1.6 Recommendations regarding support factors and inhibitors of passion

5.2 Critical review of the research process and learning experiences

5.3 Overall summary and conclusions

Research Objectives and Core Themes

This master thesis aims to develop a research-based understanding of the role and influence of passion within organisational cultures. By examining two distinct organisations—a Dutch HRD consultancy and a German superior hotel—the study investigates how passion acts as a multidimensional construct, how it is triggered or inhibited in the workplace, and how it translates into corporate culture to influence organisational dynamics and individual performance.

• Theoretical foundations of passion in personal and professional contexts
• Development of a four-dimensional model (body, mind, soul, spirit) to map passionate corporate cultures
• Exploratory case study analysis comparing a Dutch and a German organisation
• Identification of nurturing factors and inhibitors for passion within corporate settings
• Practical implications for Human Resource Development (HRD) professionals

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the research topic, its relevance to HRD professionals, and outlines the central research themes, questions, and the study's overall contribution.

2. Passion in corporate cultures?! – Answers from literature: This chapter explores theoretical frameworks to define passion and its role in corporate settings, culminating in the development of a unique four-dimensional framework.

3. Research Design: This section describes the phenomenological and case study-based methodology used to investigate the research questions through preparatory booklets, interviews, and observations.

4. Results: This chapter presents the data collected from both organisations, highlighting the specific passions of employees and the environmental factors that nurture or inhibit them.

5. Discussion & Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the findings, answers the central research questions, and provides practical recommendations for HRD practitioners alongside a critical review of the research process.

Keywords

Passion, Corporate Culture, Human Resource Development, Organisation, Authenticity, Motivation, Engagement, Four-dimensionality, Qualitative Research, Case Study, Workplace, Employee Development, Leadership, Connectivity, Work Environment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this research?

The research explores the elusive concept of "passion" and its presence, function, and influence within corporate cultures, specifically looking at how it can be understood as an organisational asset.

Which theoretical fields are primarily addressed?

The study draws from anthropology, philosophy (specifically Confucianism), management theory (such as the four energy zones model and Gods of management), and HRD literature.

What is the central research question?

The primary aims are to define the concept of passion, examine its relation to corporate cultures, and identify the specific factors that nurture or inhibit passion within a workplace.

What research methodology was employed?

The author utilized a qualitative case study design, conducting 25 semi-structured interviews and 21 observation sessions across two organisations (Kessels & Smit and Hotel Bristol).

What does the main body of the work cover?

It details the literature review on passion, the construction of a new 4D framework (body, mind, soul, spirit), the systematic data collection process, and a comprehensive analysis of the results from the two case studies.

Which keywords best characterize this work?

Key terms include Passion, Corporate Culture, Human Resource Development, Authenticity, and Employee Engagement.

How does the author define passion in the corporate context?

The author views passion as a holistic, multifaceted construct that influences individual meaning-making and collective organisational energy, often manifesting through "lived" organisational experiences.

What are the specific findings regarding nurturing and inhibiting factors?

The findings identify factors like social support/colleagues, autonomy, and appreciation as key nurturing elements, while routine, lack of transparency, and rigid hierarchical structures are noted as primary inhibitors.