Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature and influence of artefacts in market-oriented firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Document analysis, direct observation and 14 key informant interviews were undertaken in 6 case study of companies.

Findings

The research investigated the nature and influence of four categories of artefacts in market-oriented firms, specifically, stories, arrangements, rituals and language. The four categories of artefacts were found to embody, reinforce, create and compliment the values, norms and behaviours of a market-oriented culture. Market-oriented artefacts are thus core to a market-oriented culture and in developing a market orientation.

Research limitations/implications

The four categories of artefact, namely, stories, arrangements, rituals and language embody a market-oriented culture; these artefacts are necessary to implement market-oriented behaviours. Artefacts play a significant cultural and behavioural part in creating a market-oriented culture.

Practical implications

To be a market-oriented firm means implementing a market-oriented culture. This paper requires managers to assess the degree to which they have developed and used market-oriented artefacts in the establishment and strengthening of a market-oriented culture.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the limited understanding of market-oriented artefacts as an element of a market-oriented culture.

中文翻译：

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对市场导向企业中的人工制品的检验

目的

本文的目的是检验市场导向企业中人工制品的性质和影响。

设计/方法/方法

在 6 家公司案例研究中进行了文件分析、直接观察和 14 次关键知情人访谈。

发现

该研究调查了市场导向型企业中四类人工制品的性质和影响，特别是故事、安排、仪式和语言。发现这四类人工制品体现、强化、创造和赞美了以市场为导向的文化的价值观、规范和行为。因此，以市场为导向的人工制品是市场导向文化和发展市场导向的核心。

研究限制/影响

故事、安排、仪式、语言四类人工制品，体现了市场导向的文化；这些人工制品对于实施以市场为导向的行为是必要的。人工制品在创造以市场为导向的文化方面发挥着重要的文化和行为作用。

实际影响

做一个以市场为导向的企业，就是要贯彻市场导向的文化。本文要求管理人员评估他们在建立和加强市场导向文化过程中开发和使用市场导向产品的程度。

原创性/价值

本文解决了对市场导向的人工制品作为市场导向文化的一个元素的有限理解。