Organisations often set and maintain standards and practices in regards to the beliefs, attitudes, norms, values and experiences held by its managers and employees. Collectively, these shared ideas create a corporate culture. An individual, or group of individuals, who does not share the same beliefs may try to change the culture, or seek a new working environment. This is known as a culture clash.

There are many different types of workplace cultures, identified through studies by Handy, Hofstede and many others.