Delikadesa in government organizations: a conceptualization

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to conceptualize delikadesa in government organizations by providing delikadesa’s definitions, dimensions, process, and boundaries. This study worked under the social constructionism paradigm. Through quota sampling, ten employees were selected from five government organizations that vary in nature. One male and one female employee were interviewed for every organization, with the female interviewee having a higher organizational rank. Semi-structured interview scheduled in Filipino was used. Analyses were guided by the parts of lexical definition by Dadulfaza (1992) and thematic analysis. BA Organizational Communication undergraduates aided in thematic analysis of data to provide intercoder reliability. Delikadesa is defined by employees from various government organizations as a perceived characteristic of a person who has self control amidst temptation and has malasakit to self, co-employees, and the organization and who insists on what is right. Delikadesa is a characteristic only perceived when there is temptation, whether tangible or intangible. The dimensions of delikadesa include May-hiya, Maka-empleyado, and Maka-organisastion. Delikadesa is a linear process and it is not static. The percention of may delikadesa may change depending on the decision-making of the person subjected to temptation.