Title: Unravelling the layers of Indian culture and worldview: an exploratory study

Authors: Richa Awasthy; Rajen K. Gupta

Addresses: Organizational Behaviour Department, School of Business, Public Policy and Social Entrepreneurship (SBPPSE), Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD), Delhi-110006, India ' Organizational Behaviour Department, Management Development Institute, Gurugram – 122001, India

Abstract: The purpose of this exploratory study is to explore worldview of budding Indian management professionals. Taking an interpretivist epistemological position, this paper attempt to address the ontological perspective of Indians. Respondents were asked to write their views on 'What is reality according to people around you?' Followed by one 90-minute focus group discussion (FGD) and two in-depth interviews were conducted. Four types of analyses were conducted to minimise researcher bias and touch deeper layer of meaning. Based on Schein's layers of culture, the paper ends by proposing multiple layers in Indian culture namely, basic assumptions, values and artefacts. Paper conjecture 'go with the flow' or samarpan (devotion) as the deep-rooted philosophy or basic assumption that influences Indian values and practices. Typical Indian values: faith in God, paradoxical mindset, family orientation, contextual sensitivity, and tolerance. The physical artefacts: jugaad, adaptability, visit to temples, prayers, fasting, yoga, meditation and tolerance for ambiguity.

Keywords: go with the flow; India; Indian culture; qualitative research; samarpan; worldview.

DOI: 10.1504/IJICBM.2021.112614

International Journal of Indian Culture and Business Management, 2021 Vol.22 No.1, pp.137 - 166

Received: 27 May 2019
Accepted: 01 Dec 2019
Published online: 22 Jan 2021 *

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