Exploring the drivers and facets of culture in the formative stage of a public-funded R&D organisation

Abstract

Culture is critical in organisations, particularly in research and development (R&D) activities. This study explores the facets and drivers that facilitated culture formation in an R&D setting. We focus on the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which had been able to develop closely guarded space technology indigenously. Based on in-depth interviews with a unique set of respondents in the age range of 66–94 years, we present a holistic organisational cultural model by juxtaposing its facets and drivers. We further expound on how the constraints of the public-funded organisation are negotiated in building a conducive culture.