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Organisational purpose: the construct and its antecedents and consequences

Author

Listed:
  • Victoria Hurth
  • Charles Ebert
  • Jaideep Prabhu

    (Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge)

Abstract

This paper explores organizational purpose as a distinct, emerging, practitioner-led concept that places a specific meaningful motivation at the heart of organizations - even established for-profits. Using a discovery-orientated, theories-in-use approach, the authors identify organizational purpose as an organization’s meaningful and enduring reason to exist that aligns with long-term financial performance, provides a clear context for daily decision making, and unifies and motivates relevant stakeholders. Combining in-depth interviews with extant theory and supporting artefacts, the authors provide a robust description of the phenomenon, establish the concept’s uniqueness, identify antecedents and consequences, propose intervening conditions, and offer insights into how firms can develop an organizational purpose within their organizations. The paper ends with a discussion of the implications of the concept for research and practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Victoria Hurth & Charles Ebert & Jaideep Prabhu, 2018. "Organisational purpose: the construct and its antecedents and consequences," Working Papers 201802, Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.
    • Handle: RePEc:jbs:wpaper:201802
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Anna Jasinenko & Josephina Steuber, 2023. "Perceived Organizational Purpose: Systematic Literature Review, Construct Definition, Measurement and Potential Employee Outcomes," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(6), pages 1415-1447, September.

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