High performance cultures: A framework for navigating definition and measurement challenges

The aim of this chapter is to discuss the multiple challenges involved with defining high-performance culture and measuring it. A two-phase review process was conducted to facilitate this objective. First, existing measures were reviewed to identify common performance-related dimensions, followed by the identification of specific instruments that, with adaptation, have utility for high performance culture research. A core issue is the lack of agreed definition of high performance culture, resulting in a plethora of measures and no standard measure of assessment. Researchers must design an approach given the purpose of the study and the context in which it takes place. To assist with this decision making process, the review process reported in this chapter concludes with a proposed framework for designing the appropriate methodology based on the research purpose. The framework identifies a number of questions to consider as part of the research design phase when attempting to explore or assess high-performance cultures.