REJECTED VALUES: POINTERS TO PRIORITIES IN REJECTED VALUES: POINTERS TO PRIORITIES IN REJECTED VALUES: POINTERS TO PRIORITIES IN REJECTED VALUES: POINTERS TO PRIORITIES IN ORGANIZATIONS? ORGANIZATIONS? ORGANIZATIONS? ORGANIZATIONS? (original) (raw)

In this paper we discuss the difficulties inherent in distinguishing the values that organizations prioritize from those they merely accept or condone. On the basis of recent theory developments in the structure of value systems, we propose that the values rejected by an organization reveal more precisely the focus of the values it prioritizes. We suggest that such 'rejected values' are more clearly apparent than are prioritized values. To illustrate our argument, we draw on recent research in two large organizations that investigated the value preferences of senior managers, their interpretation of the values of their organization, and the organizations' corporate values statements. In both organizations, we identified a wide range of supported values, but observed that each appeared to reject certain value types. We discuss the implications of our proposal for identifying and comparing organizational values, and suggest how it might contribute to future research.