Review of Social, Economic & Business Studies, Vol.5/6, 69 - 88 69 Dominant Values of Turkish Organizations: a Contradictory Phenomenon Yasemin ARBAK Prof. Dr., Faculty of Business, Dokuz Eylül University Abstract The purpose of this study is to explore dominant values of Turkish business organizations. Depending upon previous research and personal observations of the author, it has been hypothesized that there is not a unified, homogeneous set of values which dominate Turkish organizations. The results of field research in line with a historical argument confirm this assumption. In that, the values dominant in private sector organizations are distinctively different than public economic enterprises. A rather strong historical argument about the causes of this paradoxical phenomenon is given. Implications for practitioners and suggestions for further research is also provided. Keywords: Cultural Values, Turkish Organizations, History. 1. Introduction A series of research conducted since 1997 not only aimed to find rationale of management in Turkey but also how managers and organizations are perceived by people who are in the business of management (i.e. managers). The findings about-perceived managerial characteristics were published elsewhere (Arbak et al., 1997). Results of this study points out that there is not a typical Turkish Management Style. Perceived managerial characteristics differ significantly between private and public economic enterprises. Thus, although the study tried to look for a unique, homogenous management style (as may be the case in several other societies) the respondents concluded that there were two distinct