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

Master's Thesis from the year 2006 in the subject Leadership and Human Resources - Miscellaneous grade: 9 University of Twente course: Educational Science and Technology/ Human Resource Development language: English abstract: The concept of passion is not particularly well researched but has become a hot topic in the academic world in recent years. For passion offers insight into how people relate to various aspects of their work. The present study aimed to gain a more research-based understanding of the underpinning elements of the concept of passion. By connecting it with theory on corporate cultures it could be investigated how the concept translates in organisational settings as well as which factors actively contribute to its existence and which may hinder it. Also a new framework was developed which was based on the notion that human beings are four-dimensional. It argued corporate cultures could be seen as four-dimensional. To test and explore the questions and findings raised in the literature review a case study research design was chosen. It employed multiple exploratory research methods such as a so-called preparatory booklet interviewing and observations. Overall two organisations agreed to participate in the study: a Dutch HRD Consultancy firm and a German four-star superior hotel. The study found that passion does not only have a spiritual origin but also that it is commonly triggered through an external event or person. Moreover it has three distinguishable phases that generate both positive and negative effects. They are influenced by various internal and external factors. Likewise a new type of passion was found that was referred to as 'corporate passion'. This underlies similar principles as the individual-based concept but is determined differently and thus has different effects. Finally various factors were established that either supported or inhibited peoples' passion. The findings indicate passion is a greatly underestim