Abstract

The case focuses on the organization culture at Goldman Sachs. It explains the drivers and elements of Goldman Sachs’ culture, which has been a source of competitive advantage for the company. Goldman Sachs, which operated based on its 14 business principles, was known for its risk-taking ability, ruthlessness, and conservatism. The case also looks into the changes that are taking place in the partnership culture at the organization after the company went public in 1999. The case also looks into the role played by the top management in the evolution of the Goldman Sachs culture

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• How culture can be a source of competitive advantage for an organization The elements of an organizational culture.

Keywords

Goldman Sachs, Organizational Culture, Merchant Banking, Competitive Advantage, Hostile Takeover, Partnership Structure, Sumitomo Bank, Mergers and Acquisitions, Wall Street, Citigroup, Charles O. Prince,Securities and Exchange Commission,National Association of Securities Dealers, Asset Management and Securities Services, Henry M. Paulson Jr.