Antarctic culture: 50 years of antarctic expeditions

Abstract

Analyses of data collected on returned Australian Antarctic personnel were conducted to examine links between personality traits, perceptions of Antarctic station culture, and perceptions of subjective fit with Antarctic station life and culture. Methods: Participants were 103 men who participated in Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) over a 50-yr period from 1950 to 2000 representing the first 50 yr of ANARE and all positions and occupations included in Australian Antarctic expeditions. Participants completed self-report measures of personality, organizational culture, and subjective fit. Results: Results showed that those who described the culture as satisfaction-oriented (more friendly and participatory) reported better fit, increased satisfaction with their group membership, and less role conflict in terms of their work role. Results also showed a relationship between personality, perceptions of behavioral norms and expectations, and perceived fit. Specifically, openness and perceptions of station culture as satisfaction-oriented were identified as predictors of good fit with station life and culture. Conclusions: The implications of the results for Antarctic personnel selection and recruitment are discussed and the importance of further research in other analogous isolated, confined, and extreme settings is highlighted.