Corporate culture in political parties, is it a good thing?

In the dynamic world of politics, parties and private companies share more similarities than meet the eye. Both being organisations at their core, they demand efficient management to thrive. As suggested by Innovation in Politics Institute experts, structure, culture and people are the three components of political parties’ success and performance. While all of them are equally important and should be aligned with each other, in this piece, we’re going to zoom in on the component of the organisational or corporate culture. What is it, why does it matter for political parties and how to build one?

What is corporate culture?

Just as individuals possess distinct personalities, every organisation, including political parties, exhibits its unique character known as organisational culture. This culture encompasses everything that moulds the essence of a political party, including its core values, purpose, beliefs, rules, systems and attitudes. From shaping actions and behaviours to guiding communication with both members and voters, organisational culture plays a profound role in a party’s overall functioning and success.