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Evaluating espoused values: Does articulating values pay off?

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  • Jonsen, Karsten
  • Galunic, Charles
  • Weeks, John
  • Braga, Tania

Abstract

Many corporations these days publish and talk about their values, believing these values, and their culture more generally, to be critical to their success. This study illuminates the phenomenon of values articulation and examines the link between these espoused values and financial performance. By examining the values posted by Fortune 100 companies on their websites, we analyse the performance implications associated with the espousal of (certain) values, the number of values and their stability or change over time. Drawing on this analysis and previous studies on values, espoused values, and underpinning theoretical frameworks, we test hypothesis related to the number of espoused values, differentiation and stability over time. We provide interpretations about why it matters not just what companies do but also what they say.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonsen, Karsten & Galunic, Charles & Weeks, John & Braga, Tania, 2015. "Evaluating espoused values: Does articulating values pay off?," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 33(5), pages 332-340.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eurman:v:33:y:2015:i:5:p:332-340
    DOI: 10.1016/j.emj.2015.03.005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Gry Espedal & Arne Carlsen, 2021. "Don’t Pass Them By: Figuring the Sacred in Organizational Values Work," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 169(4), pages 767-784, April.
    3. Überschaer, Anja & Baum, Matthias, 2020. "Top employer awards: A double-edged sword?," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 38(1), pages 146-156.
    4. Peter G. Dominick & Dimitra Iordanoglou & Gregory Prastacos & Richard R. Reilly, 2021. "Espoused Values of the “Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For”: Essential Themes and Implementation Practices," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 173(1), pages 69-88, September.
    5. Siano, Alfonso & Vollero, Agostino & Conte, Francesca & Amabile, Sara, 2017. "“More than words”: Expanding the taxonomy of greenwashing after the Volkswagen scandal," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 27-37.
    6. van Dun, Desirée H. & Hicks, Jeff N. & Wilderom, Celeste P.M., 2017. "Values and behaviors of effective lean managers: Mixed-methods exploratory research," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 174-186.
    7. Sara Amabile & Francesca Conte & Agostino Vollero & Alfonso Siano, 2022. "Measuring and evaluating CSR information and involvement strategies on corporate Facebook pages," Italian Journal of Marketing, Springer, vol. 2022(3), pages 341-369, September.
    8. Humphrey Bourne & Mark Jenkins & Emma Parry, 2019. "Mapping Espoused Organizational Values," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 159(1), pages 133-148, September.
    9. Schlaile, Michael P. & Bogner, Kristina & Muelder, Laura, 2021. "It’s more than complicated! Using organizational memetics to capture the complexity of organizational culture," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 801-812.
    10. Thi Thu Huong Nguyen & Zhi Yang & Ninh Nguyen & Lester W. Johnson & Tuan Khanh Cao, 2019. "Greenwash and Green Purchase Intention: The Mediating Role of Green Skepticism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-16, May.
    11. Lena Zander & Karsten Jonsen & Audra I. Mockaitis, 2016. "Leveraging Values in Global Organizations: Premises, Paradoxes and Progress," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 56(2), pages 149-169, April.

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