An analysis of Wyeth-Philippines training program: the perspectives of a Territorial Manager (TM) on corporate values in a Filipino environment

Abstract

Organizational studies are commonly undertaken to determine what accounts fbr continuing successful organizational operation and growth. To stay competitive in a highly competitive industry sector, an organization must know how it can be efficient and effective in managing the individuals and groups in its employ. To survive, an organization must understand the dynamics of their behavior for manageability. Research problem study was inspired by common knowledge that the work behavior of the Filipino is influenced by his social values that he brings to the workplace among which "hiya", "pakikisctmcT, ^utang na loob^, and "padritw" attitude are outstanding. Given this culture, and given the global reputation of Wyeth Philippines, intellectual curiousity plus the reality that the presence of such multi-national organization certainly help contribute to the development of local and national economy led this student to analytically case explore what and how Wyeth Philippines would fare in its Philippine-based organizational setting, with its track record in organizational development in view of the nature of Filipino social values. Implicit to this study was the analysis of strengths and weaknesses of Wyeth. Thus, this study aimed to (1) analyze the training preparations of Wyeth on corporate values to guide the Wyeth TM behavior, (2) explore the values gained from the training that influence the work performance of Filipino employees in conformity with the Wyeth culture, and (3) gain insights and perspectives of the TM on the corporate values in a Filipino work environment. The main focus of research was to look into how Wyeth corporate values (forwarded to represent Wyeth culture) are distinctly communicated to work alongside the integral culture of the Filipino workforce in Wyeth fbr modeling, if feasible. It was conducted as premised on the theoretical argument on what corporate communication or organizational communication is, what corporate values are and/or what these signify, and how these relate or tie up with what the Filipino environment is. The researcher drew from Berio's communication theory that emphasizes that "meanings are in people, not in words, " calling attention to two salient variables in effective organizational communication: 1) people, and 2) shared meanings. In their study, particularly, to understand shared meanings and patterns of behavior in organizations, the researcher leaned on advocates of "the cultural approach" that included Pepper (1995, Sathe (1985, and Morgan (1986) who all consider that shared meanings and patterns of behavior are the effects of culture. Thus, research design specifically in data collection and analysis forwarded that statements of awareness and perceptions by case respondent will be taken as cultural statements in this study. From this cultural perspective, the study adopted the working assumptions, as follows: • The case of the singular TM studied would be representational of Territorial Managers5 (TM) group, the Wyeth organization, and organizational culture. Data content would be contextually interpreted as symbolizing group meaning. • Research statements gathered would reflect group values. 。 Awareness, perception, and sentiments on Wyeth culture would reflect as much the position of the Filipino organization and organizational culture group in Wyeth. On the whole, data were generated as anticipated using the above frame Findings showed that the centrality of values defining one culture from another is well exemplified by this study on Wyeth Philippines, corporate values of leadership, collaboration, quality, integrity, and respect for people. As a multi-national, these five (5) values constitute the Wyeth way, as defined, operationalized, and quantified by Wyeth to provide the sole standard in its global operations in 145 countries. Among its Filipino workforce, the Wyeth way has been clearly communicated without compromise, gaining respect and following, despite stringent measures applied, to ensure productivity in the workplace. For practical business sense, the researcher delved into the Wyeth culture to determine how a corporate global leader has managed to evolve in this country for the lessons it may impart to lesser, aspiring businesses. To this end, this study has opened up potential areas to further explore when it comes to corporate organizational behavior particularly on the enhancing and facilitating work performance angle and the values moulding strategy. Future researchers may want to continue from where this researcher has stopped.