Study on Constructing a Theoretical Framework to Understand the Pervasiveness of Corporate Creeds in Social Welfare Organizations

Abstract

Corporate creeds of social welfare organizations are embodied by the organizations’ systems, services provided, and an increasing need for staff persons to embrace the organizations’ values as well. The author studied the pervasiveness of corporate creeds in social welfare organizations with the aim of constructing a theoretical framework for analysis. First, the author clarified the characteristics of the management of social welfare organizations and defined the corporate creeds. Next, the author studied corporate creeds on an individual level by focusing on empirical research about the pervasiveness of corporate creeds in business administration, from the point of view of application of the creeds in social welfare organizations. Findings showed that the theoretical framework has to include a wider range of values and beliefs than the corporate creeds and it has to focus on the action based on what is stated in the corporate creeds. The author constructed a theoretical framework by adopting espoused theory and theory-in-use at the individual level, and organizational culture at the intermediate group and organizational levels. The author analyzed an existing case using the framework. It was judged that the framework can be used to analyze action on corporate creeds at three levels and can be used by practitioners and managers for reflecting on their practice.