The role of organizational immunity in healthy and unhealthy businesses: An application in an industrial enterprise

This doctoral dissertation was conducted at a leading automotive company located in the Adana region of Turkey. The primary objective of the research was to demonstrate how organizational immunity/organizational health varies across demographic variables. Analyses were conducted to demonstrate this variation. In psychometric studies, that is, studies that measure participants' attitudes, behaviors, perceptions, and concerns cross-sectionally using scales or surveys, confirmatory factor analysis or constructing a structural model demonstrating the relationships yields more accurate results. Therefore, the hypotheses presented were tested using the organizational DNA profile scale. The structure and leadership specified in the hypotheses correspond to the structure sub-dimension of the organizational DNA profile scale, adaptation to the decision-makers sub-dimension, intellectual capital to the knowledge sub-dimension, and integration to the motivators sub-dimension. This dissertation examines the relationship between the fundamental elements that constitute organizational immunity and organizational health, such as structure, decision-makers, knowledge, and motivators, and the demographic characteristics of employees. First, it investigates whether there is a general relationship between these elements and demographic variables such as employees' age, gender, educational status, duties, and tenure at the organization (H1). We then assess whether these factors differ by gender (H2), educational status (H3), length of service (H4), position (H5), and age group (H6). This aims to understand both how organizational structure interacts with immunity and health levels, and how employee demographics influence this perception. Analysis and interpretation of the results demonstrate that the research model and derived hypotheses, with the exception of one—whether there is a difference across age groups (H6)—are accepted, indicating that the organization is a healthy organization and demonstrating a wide range of aspects of organizational health. It highlights the elements that contribute to the healthy and productive functioning of organizations. Keywords: Organizational ımmunity, organizational health, organizational DNA profile, demographic variables