Where Can You Find An Organization's Espoused Values

An organization's espoused values represent what it says it believes in. These are the values communicated through mission statements, strategic plans, public relations materials, and even internal communications. However, finding an organization's true espoused values requires a multi-faceted approach. You can't just take their word for it; you need to dig deeper to understand if these values are genuinely reflected in their actions and culture. This article explores various sources, both internal and external, where you can uncover an organization's espoused values, allowing you to form a comprehensive understanding of their stated beliefs.

Internal Sources: Unveiling Values from Within

The most obvious place to start your search for an organization's espoused values is within its internal documentation and communications. These channels are often consciously crafted to project a specific image and are rich with clues about the values the organization wishes to portray.

1. Mission Statements and Vision Statements

The mission statement outlines the organization's purpose and what it aims to achieve. The vision statement, on the other hand, paints a picture of the desired future state. Both statements often explicitly mention the values that guide the organization's actions.

• How to Find: These statements are usually readily available on the organization's website, in annual reports, and sometimes even displayed prominently in physical offices.
• What to Look For: Pay close attention to the specific words used. Do they emphasize innovation, customer service, integrity, community, or something else? The choice of words is deliberate and reflects the values they want to be associated with.
• Example: A mission statement like "To empower individuals through innovative technology solutions, fostering creativity and collaboration" suggests values of innovation, empowerment, creativity, and collaboration.

2. Company Website and Public Relations Materials

Beyond the mission and vision statements, the company website and PR materials are carefully curated to present the organization in a positive light. These resources often highlight specific initiatives, projects, and achievements that align with their stated values.

• How to Find: Browse the "About Us" section, news releases, blog posts, and social media channels.
• What to Look For: Look for recurring themes and keywords. Do they consistently showcase their commitment to sustainability, diversity, or ethical practices? Examine the language and imagery used; do they reinforce the values they claim to uphold?
• Example: If an organization claims to value sustainability, their website might feature articles about their green initiatives, energy-efficient practices, and partnerships with environmental organizations.

3. Internal Communications (Newsletters, Memos, Intranet)

Internal communications provide a glimpse into how the organization communicates its values to its employees. These channels often contain messages from leadership, updates on company performance, and announcements about new initiatives.

• How to Find: Access to internal communications may be limited to employees. If you are an employee, explore company newsletters, intranet pages, internal memos, and emails from leadership. If you are an external observer, you may find snippets shared publicly or leaked information, but treat these with caution.
• What to Look For: Analyze the tone and content of these communications. Do leaders consistently reinforce the importance of the stated values? Are employees recognized and rewarded for embodying these values? Look for evidence of how values are integrated into daily operations and decision-making.
• Example: An internal memo emphasizing the importance of teamwork and collaboration, coupled with recognition of teams that have successfully collaborated on projects, reinforces these values within the organization.

4. Employee Handbooks and Codes of Conduct

Employee handbooks and codes of conduct explicitly outline the organization's expectations for employee behavior. These documents typically include sections on ethics, compliance, and workplace conduct, providing valuable insights into the values the organization prioritizes.

• How to Find: These documents are usually provided to employees upon hiring. They may also be available on the company intranet or HR portal. Some organizations may publish a summarized version of their code of conduct on their website.
• What to Look For: Pay attention to the specific rules and regulations outlined in these documents. Do they emphasize honesty, fairness, respect, or accountability? Are there clear guidelines for reporting unethical behavior? The level of detail and enforcement mechanisms reflects the organization's commitment to these values.
• Example: A code of conduct that explicitly prohibits discrimination and harassment, coupled with a clear process for reporting and investigating such incidents, demonstrates a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and respect.

5. Training Programs and Development Initiatives

The training programs and development initiatives offered by an organization can also reveal its espoused values. These programs often focus on developing specific skills and competencies that align with the organization's strategic goals and values.

• How to Find: Inquire about training programs offered to employees during the onboarding process or through internal communications. Review course descriptions and learning objectives to understand the focus of these programs.
• What to Look For: Do the training programs emphasize leadership development, customer service skills, ethical decision-making, or diversity and inclusion? The topics covered and the content delivered reflect the values the organization deems important for its employees to embody.
• Example: A company that values innovation might invest in training programs that teach employees design thinking, agile methodologies, and other techniques for generating new ideas and solving problems creatively.

External Sources: Gathering Perspectives from the Outside

While internal sources provide valuable insights into an organization's espoused values, it's crucial to consider external perspectives as well. These sources offer a more objective view of how the organization is perceived by its customers, stakeholders, and the general public.

6. Customer Reviews and Feedback

Customer reviews and feedback provide valuable insights into how well an organization lives up to its espoused values. Customers often share their experiences with the organization's products, services, and customer service, highlighting areas where the organization excels or falls short.

• How to Find: Explore online review platforms like Google Reviews, Yelp, Trustpilot, and industry-specific review sites. Read customer comments on social media platforms and online forums. Pay attention to both positive and negative feedback.
• What to Look For: Analyze the recurring themes and patterns in customer feedback. Do customers consistently praise the organization for its excellent customer service, high-quality products, or ethical practices? Conversely, do they complain about issues like poor communication, misleading advertising, or unethical behavior?
• Example: If an organization claims to value customer satisfaction, a high volume of positive reviews praising their responsiveness, helpfulness, and problem-solving skills would support this claim.

7. Industry Reports and Awards

Industry reports and awards can provide external validation of an organization's espoused values. These assessments often evaluate organizations based on various criteria, including their financial performance, social responsibility, and environmental impact.

• How to Find: Research industry-specific reports and rankings from reputable organizations. Look for awards that recognize companies for their ethical practices, sustainability efforts, or contributions to the community.
• What to Look For: Review the criteria used to evaluate organizations in these reports and awards. Does the organization consistently rank highly in areas that align with its espoused values? Receiving recognition from independent third parties can lend credibility to the organization's claims.
• Example: A company that claims to value sustainability might be recognized by an industry organization for its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, conserve resources, and promote environmentally friendly practices.

8. News Articles and Media Coverage

News articles and media coverage can provide a critical perspective on an organization's espoused values. Journalists often investigate and report on the organization's actions, uncovering both positive and negative stories that shed light on its true values.

• How to Find: Search for news articles and media coverage about the organization in reputable news outlets, industry publications, and online news platforms.
• What to Look For: Pay attention to the tone and content of the articles. Do they portray the organization in a positive or negative light? Do they highlight instances where the organization has acted in accordance with its stated values, or do they expose discrepancies between its words and actions?
• Example: A news article praising an organization for its philanthropic contributions to the community would reinforce its espoused value of social responsibility. Conversely, an article exposing unethical business practices would contradict its claims of integrity.

9. Social Media Analysis

Social media provides a real-time platform for stakeholders to express their opinions and experiences with an organization. Analyzing social media conversations can reveal valuable insights into how the organization is perceived by its customers, employees, and the general public.

• How to Find: Monitor the organization's social media channels and track mentions of the organization on other platforms. Use social listening tools to analyze sentiment and identify trending topics.
• What to Look For: Analyze the tone and content of social media posts and comments. Are people praising or criticizing the organization? Are they discussing topics that align with its espoused values? Look for patterns and trends in social media conversations.
• Example: If an organization claims to value diversity and inclusion, a social media analysis might reveal conversations about its efforts to promote diversity within its workforce and support marginalized communities.

10. Employee Reviews and Glassdoor

Employee reviews on platforms like Glassdoor provide insights into the internal culture of an organization and how its espoused values are experienced by its employees. These reviews can reveal discrepancies between the organization's stated values and its actual practices.

• How to Find: Visit Glassdoor and other employee review websites. Search for reviews from current and former employees of the organization.
• What to Look For: Analyze the recurring themes and patterns in employee reviews. Do employees feel that the organization lives up to its espoused values? Do they feel respected, valued, and supported? Pay attention to comments about the organization's leadership, culture, and work environment.
• Example: If an organization claims to value work-life balance, but employees consistently complain about long hours, high stress levels, and a lack of flexibility, this would suggest a disconnect between its espoused values and its actual practices.

Bridging the Gap: Espoused vs. Enacted Values

It's important to remember that espoused values are not always the same as enacted values – the values that are actually demonstrated through the organization's actions and behaviors. A thorough analysis of both internal and external sources can help you identify any discrepancies between what an organization says it believes in and what it actually does.

• Look for Consistency: Do the organization's actions consistently align with its stated values? Are employees rewarded for embodying these values? Are there consequences for violating them?
• Analyze Leadership Behavior: Do leaders model the organization's espoused values in their own behavior? Are they held accountable for their actions?
• Examine Decision-Making Processes: Are decisions made in accordance with the organization's values? Are ethical considerations taken into account?
• Consider the Impact on Stakeholders: Does the organization's behavior benefit all stakeholders, including employees, customers, and the community?

By carefully examining these sources, you can gain a more complete and accurate understanding of an organization's espoused values and determine whether they are truly reflected in its culture and practices. This understanding is crucial for making informed decisions about whether to work for, invest in, or do business with the organization.

Conclusion: A Holistic View of Organizational Values

Finding an organization's espoused values is not a simple task of reading a mission statement. It requires a comprehensive investigation across multiple sources, both internal and external. By examining mission statements, websites, internal communications, customer reviews, industry reports, and employee feedback, you can develop a holistic understanding of the values the organization claims to uphold. Furthermore, it is critical to compare these espoused values with the organization's actual behavior and practices to identify any discrepancies. This due diligence allows you to make informed decisions and align yourself with organizations that genuinely live up to their stated beliefs. The most reliable way to understand an organization's values is to see them in action.