A group-focused culture serves employees better than a highly-individualized workplace

According to new research from the University of Alabama, employees favor a culture that benefits everyone over one that caters to their personal preferences. The study of more than 700 workers, representing a range of occupations, found that a fair, supportive and stable culture appealed to most of them more than a personalized approach. Research results were published in an article in the Journal of Applied Psychology. The article's lead author, Culverhouse College of Business research fellow Dustin Wood, said while personalization might increase employees' job satisfaction, a culture that provides what most people want will prove more desirable. "What really makes a difference is if your organization has the things that pretty much everyone wants such as offering you opportunities for professional growth," he said. The research showed most people prefer organizations that prioritize quality, hold high performance expectations, value experimentation and collaboration, offer professional growth opportunities and provide employment security. Some workplace cultures emphasize a nose-to-the-grindstone work ethic, while others foster more informal, relaxed atmospheres. No matter the modus operandi, workplace culture can determine the success of an organization's recruitment, engagement and retention efforts.