Lincoln Electric Company's corporate culture today is an extension of the one that founder John C. Lincoln and his younger brother James F. Lincoln established over a century ago . The company today remains a profitable, growing and admired organization. Its culture has been analyzed and used as an example in corporate training for many years. The company's success can be attributed to: the efficiency that the company philosophy and culture have instilled in its employees; meet customer needs; and finally reward shareholders. The essence of their corporate mentality is summed up by former president, Willis: “Lincoln Electric differs from most other companies in the importance it places on each of the groups it serves. (He) identifies these groups, in order of priority as (1) customers, (2) employees and (3) shareholders” (Sharplin, Arthur, 1989). According to Carpenter, Taylor, and Erdogan (2009), “When entrepreneurs start their own businesses, how they want to do business determines the rules of the organization, the structure set up in the company, and the people they hire to work with them.” James F. Lincoln was greatly influenced by religious teachings which he incorporated into his business ethics. According to Lincoln: Christian ethics should control our actions. If he controlled our shares, the savings on distribution costs would be enormous. Advertising would be a contact of the expert consultant with the client, in order to offer the client the best product available when all his needs are taken into consideration. Competition would therefore consist in improving the quality of products and increasing efficiency in their production and distribution; not by deception, as is now too customary... middle of paper......employee participation in the decision-making process. According to Sharplin, “…we believe that each person should participate only in decisions about which he or she is most knowledgeable.” (2009) These qualities of corporate culture have kept Lincoln Electric growing and thriving for more than 100 years. Lincoln controls about 40% of the welding equipment business. Its employees earn about double that of those in the Cleveland, Ohio, area. Employees stay with the company as the turnover rate is almost zero and they usually leave only to retire. Works Cited Carpenter, M., Taylor, B., Erdogan, B. (2009). Organizational Culture, Principles of Management, 192-194. Retrieved from http://my.uopeople.org/course/view.php?id=695Sharplin, Arthur (1989). The Lincoln Power Company. Lake Charles, LA: McNeese State University. Retrieved from http://my.uopeople.org/course/view.php?id=695