Shaking ground. Maintaining organizational culture in a fast growing tech startup. A case from the Baltic States

Abstract: Thesis Purpose: To understand organizational culture and the ways of maintaining it in a fast growing tech startup from the Baltic States Research Questions: What is the organizational culture in a fast growing tech startup? What are the challenges faced due to the rapid growth? What are the ways to maintain the organizational culture in a fast growing tech startup? Methodology: a qualitative interpretative case study. The data gathered through 15 semi-structured interviews, observations, documents, and literature following an abductive approach. Conclusions. It is difficult to maintain the same organizational culture as some elements have to be adapted to the changed social reality and complex organizational situation. The rapid growth weakened close social relationships, brought more formality, and different values interpretations. DreamBig aims to preserve informal, friendly, flexible, and participative organizational culture, by applying hiring with a focus on ‘cultural fit’, rituals and team building activities as means to maintain its culture. Formalization initiatives started due to the increased business complexity are contradicting the informality of culture.