El papel de la cultura del lugar de trabajo en la integración social del empleado: Estudio de un caso práctico Darya Kochetkova 1 , Maria Lipovenko 2 , Aleksandr Gostilovich 3 , Dmitriy Rusakovskiy 4 , Kirill Korolev 5 1 Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russia. E-mail: DaryaKochetkova2002@yandex.ru; ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3612-2804. 2 Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany. E-mail: mldons21@gmail.com; ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2042-4436. 3 Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia. E-mail: gostaleks@mail.ru; ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4146-6934. 4 Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Moscow, Russia. E-mail: DRusakovskiy@yandex.ru; ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5072-4311. 5 MIREA - Russian Technological University, Moscow, Russia. E-mail: k_korolev@list.ru; ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0080-2087. Resumen. La cultura corporativa ha sido objeto de atención durante muchos años y se reconoce cada vez más como un factor clave que da forma a la identidad única de las or- ganizaciones. Permite a las empresas destacar, atraer a empleados con talento y fidelizar a sus clientes. Este estudio pretende elaborar recomendaciones para mejorar la cultura corporativa de las grandes empresas identificando la relación entre la cultura corporativa y los valores in- dividuales de los empleados. El estudio de caso está representado por el mayor banco privado de Rusia, Alfa-Bank. Los métodos de investigación primaria incluyeron encuestas a emplea- dos y entrevistas en profundidad, acompañadas de un análisis cuantitativo y cualitativo de los resultados. Las recomendaciones incluyen mejorar el proceso de incorporación, abordar la cuestión de las horas extraordinarias, implantar sistemas en línea para presentar solicitudes de dotación de personal y pago de horas extraordinarias, y organizar reuniones, sesiones de intercambio de ideas y programas de formación para fomentar el potencial creativo de los empleados. Los resultados serán valiosos para ejecutivos y profesionales de RRHH de grandes empresas, así como para consultores empresariales e investigadores académicos inte- resados en mejorar la cultura corporativa y explorar la relación entre los valores corporativos e individuales dentro de las organizaciones. Palabras clave: cultura empresarial, valores individuales, capital humano, mejora de la cultura empresarial. Recibido: 28/03/2025 ~ Aceptado: 12/05/2025 INTERACCIÓN Y PERSPECTIVA Revista de Trabajo Social ISSN 2244-808X ~ Dep. Legal pp 201002Z43506 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16915467 Vol. 15 (3): 823 - 831 pp, 2025
824 Kochetkova, Lipovenko, Gostilovich, Rusakovskiy, Korolev Interacción y Perspectiva. Revista de Trabajo Social Vol. 15(3): 2025 e role of workplace culture in social integration of employee: Case study Abstract. Corporate culture has been a subject of attention for many years and is increasingly recognized as a key factor shaping the unique identity of organizations. It enables companies to stand out, attract talented employees, and build a loyal cus- tomer base. is study aims to develop recommendations for improving the corporate culture of large corporations by identifying the relationship between corporate cul- ture and individual employee values. e case study is represented by Russia’s largest private bank, Alfa-Bank. e primary research methods included employee surveys and in-depth interviews, accompanied by quantitative and qualitative analysis of the results. e recommendations include improving the onboarding process, addressing the issue of overtime, implementing online systems for submitting staffing and over- time payment requests, and organizing meetups, brainstorming sessions, and training programs to foster the creative potential of employees. e results will be valuable to executives and HR professionals in large corporations, as well as business consultants and academic researchers interested in enhancing corporate culture and exploring the relationship between corporate and individual values within organizations. Key words: corporate culture, individual values, human capital, improvement of corporate culture. INTRODUCTION e academic community has not formed a unified approach to the relationship between corporate culture and employee values (Kurgansky et al., 2022; Zueva et al., 2022). Research in this area is typically conducted either from the company’s perspective or with a focus on employee loyalty and satisfaction. While various methods exist for assessing employee values-based orienta- tions, their interrelation often depends on the specific framework adopted by different scholars (Kochetkova, 2024). is study aims to develop recommendations for improving the corporate culture of large cor- porations by identifying the relationship between corporate culture and individual employee values. e research object is Russia’s largest private bank, Alfa-Bank. e research subject is the relation- ship between Alfa-Bank’s corporate culture and the individual values of its employees. e study set out the following tasks: 1) To explore the theoretical foundations of the concepts of corporate culture and individual employee values; 2) To analyze the corporate culture and the individual values of employees and managers within a large corporation; 3) To assess the degree of alignment between the corporate culture and the individual values of the corporation’s employees; 4) To develop recommendations for shaping a corporate culture responsive to internal and exter- nal changes and consider the influence of individual employee values.
El papel de la cultura del lugar de trabajo en la integración social del empleado: estudio de un caso práctico 825 Vol. 15(3) julio - diciembre 2025/ 823 - 831 e study addresses a range of issues, including various approaches to defining corporate cul- ture, the characteristics of different cultural types, and the methods for forming, maintaining, and improving corporate culture. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of examining employees’ values and their potential impact on organizational performance. e results may prove valuable for executives and human resource professionals in large corpo- rations seeking to enhance their corporate culture and increase employee satisfaction. In addition, the proposed recommendations are relevant for business consultants and academic researchers fo- cused on the interaction between corporate and individual values within organizations. LITERATURE REVIEW Corporate culture is an integral part of any modern organization. M. Armstrong describes cor- porate culture as a set of shared beliefs, values, behavioral norms, and attitudes held by all employ- ees within an organization (Armstrong, 1998). According to S. Robbins and P. Stephen, corporate culture plays a crucial role in shaping a company’s image and highlighting its unique characteristics (Robbins, 1994). G. Hofstede and M. Minkov in their book “Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind” (2005) identified six key dimensions for evaluating the corporate cultures of countries and organizations: power distance (1), uncertainty avoidance (2), individualism/collectivism (3), masculinity/femininity (4), long-term orientation (5), indulgence/restraint (6). In Russian organi- zations, the main cultural dimensions tend to be high power distance, individualism, and uncer- tainty avoidance (Tsoi & Kochetkova, 2023). F. Trompenaars’ classification of corporate culture is also one of the most well-known and widely accepted tools for analyzing and understanding various aspects of organizational culture (Table 1). TABLE 1. Trompenaars’ classification of corporate culture Comparable parameters Egalitarianism (equality) Hierarchy Person Incubator – Achievement-oriented culture Family-Power-oriented culture Goal Guided missile – Task-oriented culture Eiffel Tower-Role-oriented culture Source: Compiled by the authors based on (Persikova, 2020). Cameron & Quinn identify the following types of corporate culture: clan (family) culture, adhocracy culture, market (entrepreneurial) culture, and hierarchical (bureaucratic) culture (Ul- basheva & Shakova, 2016). Using Cameron and Quinn’s Competing Values Culture Model, it is possible to determine an organization’s cultural type and categorize it into one of these four groups. is enables the analysis of organizational issues and provides insights into why certain goals may not be achieved (e World of Work Project, n.d.). Overall, the value of organizational culture lies in its ability to enhance internal cohesion and foster consistency in employee behavior (Togaibayeva et al., 2023). From the employee’s perspec- tive, organizational culture serves as a kind of compass, guiding them toward the appropriate behav- iors required for success within the organization (Laukart-Gorbacheva et al., 2021). Values serve as guiding principles that people strive toward and hold in high regard. Al- though values are largely intangible and spiritual, they are ultimately expressed through specific
826 Kochetkova, Lipovenko, Gostilovich, Rusakovskiy, Korolev Interacción y Perspectiva. Revista de Trabajo Social Vol. 15(3): 2025 actions (Khasyanova, 2013). Individual employee values are a set of personal traits and char- acteristics that shape their capacity for such types of activity. Understanding these individual values allows an organization to influence the development of its corporate culture (Hofstede & Minkov, 2005). In recent years, the H2H (human-to-human) theory has gained popularity. is theory emphasizes that the relationship between managers who serve as key representatives of an organization’s values and employees should be built on openness, friendliness, and emotional intelligence (Yusupova, 2022). Let us consider Milton Rokeach’s approach to the classification of values-based orientations, which is based on direct ranking (Rokich, 1973): 1) Terminal values represent the understanding that any ultimate personal goal is worth striving for; 2) Instrumental values reflect the belief that a certain set of means or modes of behavior is essen- tial in any given situation. Individual values benefit organizations as they help identify employees’ priorities and goals and contribute to developing a corporate culture that considers these values. METHODS e research methods used in this study included a review of scientific literature and internal documents of Alfa-Bank, as well as employee surveys and in-depth interviews. Alfa-Bank’s cor- porate culture was analyzed using a survey that included questions aimed at assessing employee loyalty, satisfaction, engagement, and conflict levels. Employee loyalty was measured based on the likelihood of recommending the company to a potential employee. e survey explored the reasons why employees would recommend the company. 104 employees from various depart- ments participated, with the respondent pool comprising 40% managers and 60% specialists and interns. e analysis of individual employee values at Alfa-Bank was based on M. Rokeach’s methodol- ogy. Employees were asked to rank the importance of terminal and instrumental values in their lives. To accommodate the survey format, the list was shortened to nine values of each type. In addition, the type of organizational culture at Alfa-Bank was determined using the culture typology developed by Cameron & Quinn. e information base for this research includes Alfa-Bank’s official reports, original data col- lected through surveys and interviews, academic articles, and books dedicated to corporate culture and individual employee values. RESULTS Alfa-Bank is the largest private bank in Russia. It operates over 300 Phygital offices — next- generation bank branches that combine digital and physical formats of customer interaction (Alfa- Bank, 2023). e mission and vision of Alfa-Bank are articulated as follows: “We help people and businesses improve their lives by providing simple and convenient solutions, from everyday tasks to the most important matters. Today and for years to come” (Alfa-Bank, n.d.). e bank’s mission and values are closely aligned with the worldview of its shareholders and employees.
El papel de la cultura del lugar de trabajo en la integración social del empleado: estudio de un caso práctico 827 Vol. 15(3) julio - diciembre 2025/ 823 - 831 Within the framework of this study, Alfa-Bank’s corporate culture was analyzed through em- ployee surveys. e survey examined the reasons why employees would recommend the company. e most commonly cited factors were the team and the tasks. is indicates a positive work en- vironment within the bank, which was also frequently mentioned as a reason for recommending Alfa-Bank as a place to work (Figure 1). Figure 1. Reasons for recommending Alfa-Bank as an employer Source: compiled by the authors. Among the reasons that may hinder employee recommendations are poor onboarding, over- time work, task-related challenges, and workplace atmosphere. ese negative job characteristics were identified by only some survey participants (25%). is indicates that some employees are fully satisfied with the work process (Figure 2). Figure 2. Reasons for not recommending Alfa-Bank as an employer Source: compiled by the authors.
828 Kochetkova, Lipovenko, Gostilovich, Rusakovskiy, Korolev Interacción y Perspectiva. Revista de Trabajo Social Vol. 15(3): 2025 e job satisfaction score among managers was 3.36, while specialists rated their satisfaction at 2.98. For specialists, the most significant factors contributing to satisfaction were competent leader- ship, workplace relationships, and pride in their work. e engagement level among managers was assessed at 4.53, compared to 4.04 for specialists. Managers demonstrated the highest willingness to support their colleagues. Individual employee values in Alfa-Bank were analyzed using Rokeach’s methodology. Partici- pants were asked to rate the importance of achieving terminal and instrumental values in their lives. To facilitate the survey, the list was reduced to nine values of each type. e results indicate that the most important values for managers are creativity, personal growth, social recognition, and financial security (Figure 3). Figure 3. Terminal values of Alfa-Bank employees Source: Compiled by the authors For managerial staff, more specific values aimed at professional self-fulfillment are typical. In contrast, specialists tend to prioritize values such as freedom, public recognition, creativity, and engaging work. is category of employees is more inclined toward abstract values oriented towards personal life. Instrumental values, which define preferred behavior models, were also analyzed as part of the study (Figure 4). Figure 4. Instrumental values of Alfa-Bank employees Source: Compiled by the authors
El papel de la cultura del lugar de trabajo en la integración social del empleado: estudio de un caso práctico 829 Vol. 15(3) julio - diciembre 2025/ 823 - 831 e most important values for managers were education, cheerfulness, diligence, and responsi- bility. is indicates a strong emphasis on communication and ethical behavior. For specialists, the highest values were honesty, diligence, independence, and tolerance. In this case, employees value not only interpersonal communication but also self-assertion. While the values of managers and specialists are largely similar, there are certain differences. For example, in terms of terminal values, managers tend to prioritize personal development, whereas specialists place greater importance on freedom and engaging work. While development and inter- esting work can positively influence organizational performance, the value of freedom prioritized by specialists may lead to conflict. Interviews with corporate employees revealed the influence of formal leaders on corporate cul- ture within departments. e respondents generally agreed that managers create a team atmosphere focused on achieving results. ey also claimed that leaders show loyalty toward employees who are forced to take time off and emphasize clarity, precision, and a fact-based approach when reviewing their performance. e analysis of the conflict environment revealed a low degree of value-related contradic- tions among the personnel. Employees state that conflicts within the organization are rare, and effective conflict resolution mechanisms are in place. Conflict resolution is typically achieved either through independent discussions among the parties involved or with the assistance of a supervisor. In most cases, those involved in conflicts strive to reach a compromise rather than prove themselves right. According to the classification of organizational cultures developed by Cameron & Quinn, the type of corporate culture at Alfa-Bank was identified. e results of the assessment indicate rela- tively balanced scores across all culture types (clan – 2.5, adhocracy – 2.67, market – 2.5, hierarchy – 2.33). Despite formal processes within the organization, the dominant culture type was identified as adhocratic. is suggests that Alfa-Bank is a flexible organization focused on external market positioning and achieving results. us, it can be concluded that there is a partial synergy between the values of Alfa-Bank and those of its employees. is is reflected in the shared commitment to meeting customer needs, caring for employees, and incorporating creative approaches into work processes. e desire for independence in decision-making is more common among junior specialists with less professional experience. Such values may foster the discovery of new ways of conducting business and promote individual responsibility for one’s contributions to the team and management. CONCLUSIONS Based on the research conducted, specific recommendations were developed for establishing and enhancing the corporate culture of large companies. ese recommendations cover seven key areas. e first area concerns the development of a strategy for forming corporate culture. It is es- sential to implement updated corporate values in a top-down manner, starting with the CEO and senior management, while also considering individual employee values. is approach can help increase staff loyalty, job satisfaction, and engagement.
830 Kochetkova, Lipovenko, Gostilovich, Rusakovskiy, Korolev Interacción y Perspectiva. Revista de Trabajo Social Vol. 15(3): 2025 e second important aspect addresses the issue of overtime. It is necessary to create an online reporting system that allows employees to request staff expansion or compensation for overtime work. In addition, guidelines should be developed for submitting staffing requests, and a user- friendly system for filing overtime payment applications should be introduced through corporate digital platforms. e third area refers to the improvement of the onboarding process. It is recommended to organize introductory meetings between new employees and team leaders, establish a centralized information base on colleagues within the department and adjacent units, and train mentors with clearly defined roles in guiding interns. A key element is the arrangement of regular meetings be- tween mentors and newcomers to review progress and plan further development. e fourth area involves organizing internal events to support the implementation of changes. An effective solution would be to hold conferences with the participation of psychologists and HR specialists to present new procedures related to overtime and staffing changes. Meetings with men- tors/leaders are also useful for aligning tasks regarding new employee adaptation. Broad communi- cation with staff can be achieved through email newsletters and posts in corporate blogs. e development of corporate culture through informal activities represents the fifth area. It is advisable to organize meetups that encourage knowledge sharing, hold regular brainstorming sessions for idea generation and innovation, and implement business training programs that foster employees’ creative thinking. e sixth area is related to student upskilling programs. It is proposed to develop joint educa- tional initiatives (for example, in collaboration with the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation in project management), as well as to organize courses, after which the most successful students would be offered internships at Alfa-Bank. Finally, the seventh area focuses on strengthening corporate culture through a values-based sys- tem. Special attention should be given to values such as caring for others, tolerance, and the pursuit of creativity and personal growth. Supporting these values through targeted events and programs contributes to employees’ professional development but also their deeper engagement in the corpo- rate environment. e comprehensive implementation of these recommendations will contribute not only to the development of a resilient corporate culture but also to increased employee satisfaction and enhanced economic efficiency for the company. BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES Alfa-Bank (n.d). Kodeks korporativnoi etiki [Code of corporate culture]. Available: https://alfa- bank.ru/about/codex/#code_usage (accessed February 2, 2025). Alfa-Bank (2023, June 29). Phygital ofisy Alfa-Banka delayut goroda luchshe [Alfa-Bank’s Phy- gital offices make cities a better place to live]. Available: https://alfabank.ru/news/t/release/ phygital-ofisi-alfa-banka-delayut-goroda-luchshe/ (accessed February 2, 2025). Armstrong, M. (1998). Osnovy menedzhmenta. Kak stat luchshim rukovoditelem [Management and leadership: Developing effective people skills for better leadership and management]. Trans. from English. Rostov-on-Don: Feniks, p. 134.
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