A tool for analysing organisational clans and tribes: the case of the transformation of Medellin city, Colombia

Abstract

Purpose Organisational clans and tribes are entities that prescribe the behaviour of collaborators on the basis of cultural values and norms. Consequently, this study aims to propose a management tool based on the analysis and interpretation of organisational clans and tribes. Design/methodology/approach With this purpose, first, the authors review the current status of the discussion about organisational clans and tribes, following a sequential mix-method approach that begins with a bibliometric analysis and end with a content review. Based on these results, in the second stage, the authors propose a conceptual tool that analyses clans and tribes in organisations to create and consolidate alliances. Then in the third stage, the authors apply this tool to the transformation of Medellin – a city that was first conceived as violent and now become a good place to live and travel. Findings By applying the tool proposed in this study, it is possible to analyse and understand how to transform disagreement into alliance and how clans and tribes – in addition to taking a leading role in organising – are jointly responsible for the results. Originality/value Clans and tribes of management are proposed as a tool for organisational management from the analysis and interpretation of clans and tribes in organisations. These clans and tribes of management allow for the intervention of clans and tribes of reference and their consequent emancipation, through organisational clans and tribes that arise naturally, by association or disintegration and that support the management of change required to create effective alliances. Thus, the strategy that should be followed to reinforce the management of changes in organisations is to align alliances with organisational clans and tribes.