Influence of Organisational Culture on Project Planning: A Competing Values Perspective in Ghanaian Context

Abstract

Purpose: This study empirically examined the influence of organisational culture (OC) on construction project planning. Design/methodology/approach: A descriptive cross-sectional survey approach was used to obtain quantitative data from 375 large and medium-scale construction firms in Ghana. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as mean and standard deviation, confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson correlation and multiple regression model. Findings: The results revealed that the market type of organisational culture had the highest significant positive influence on project planning, followed by clan, hierarchy, and adhocracy cultures. The results further revealed that a high level of project planning is positively associated with the combined cultural clusters represented by the dimensions of “stability and control clusters”.  Research limitation: This study focused on only large and medium-scale construction organisations; however, data from small-scale construction organisations will be needed to strengthen and widen the scope of applicability of the findings. Practical implication: It is evident that the practice of adhocracy culture in the surveyed firms provides a low significant effect on project planning efforts. It is, therefore, recommended that more emphasis be placed on market culture as it had proven to have a higher significant influence on construction project planning. Social implication: This study contributes to management and public policy by identifying organisational cultural types that significantly contribute to achieving effective project planning. Originality/value: Organisational culture in the context of project planning initiatives has received very little attention in project management research. This research significantly contributes to the research stream by providing empirical evidence of the influence of OC on project planning, highlighting which OC types are more or less likely to improve project planning efforts.