Levering Technology to Predict Culture
ABP Corporate Member, Natwest, prompted a team of Business Psychology students to offer a research-based perspective on how technology can support a behaviour-focused approach to measuring and predicting organisational culture in real time.
The University of Leicester’s students’ submission for the 2025 ABP Biz Psych Cup presents a future-focused and analytically rigorous approach to tracking and transforming organisational culture in real-time. In response to the challenge set by NatWest, the team explored how artificial intelligence and behavioural data analytics could be harnessed to create a dynamic “culture dashboard,” offering continuous insights across geographically distributed and hybrid workforces.
Grounded in Schein & Schein’s (2010) layered model of organisational culture, the project moves beyond traditional surveys – which are often static, biased, and resource-heavy – and instead proposes a system that captures cultural artefacts through workplace interactions. The team suggested using tools like metadata analysis, natural language processing, and machine learning to examine patterns in communication, collaboration, and recognition. These insights would allow leaders to assess whether actual behaviours align with stated organisational values such as inclusion, curiosity, and ambition.
A particularly innovative element was the proposed digital card sort system. This weekly, employee-driven feedback mechanism invites staff to reflect on observed values across departments, producing qualitative data that AI tools can analyse for emerging themes. Importantly, the system would also trigger supportive check-ins for employees showing disengagement, blending real-time cultural feedback with employee wellbeing monitoring.
Have you used card sort solution in assessing culture? Or have you measured wellbeing in context of culture? What did you learn from that experience?
In the student research submission, the team carefully addressed ethical and practical considerations, acknowledging potential concerns about privacy, trust, and transparency. They recommended safeguards including anonymity, GDPR compliance, and clear communication around data use to promote psychological safety and engagement.
In summary, the Leicester proposal offers a scalable and psychologically informed system designed to empower organisations to act on real-time cultural data. By fusing behavioural science, AI, and change management principles, the approach supports early intervention, cultural alignment, and evidence-based decision-making – demonstrating the power of business psychology in shaping future-ready, human-centred workplaces.
This article is based on the Biz Psych Cup submission by the University of Leicester team, runners up of the 2024/2025 competition.
The ABP Biz Psych Cup is an annual competition that invites university teams, typically comprising four undergraduate and postgraduate psychology students, to tackle real-world business challenges posed by ABP corporate members. Over a 12–14 week period, teams conduct research and develop evidence-based solutions, culminating in an APA-style poster presentation. Shortlisted teams present their findings virtually to a panel of judges, including representatives from the sponsoring organisations. The competition offers students practical experience in applying psychological principles to business issues, fostering collaboration between academia and industry.
Find this poster and more at: https://theabp.org.uk/biz-psych-cup/
Here is the PDF of the University of Leicester's poster: