Evolution, Trends, and Impact of Organizational Culture and Climate on School Management and Performance

Organizational culture and organizational climate are key dimensions in institutional management, shaping employee behavior, motivation, and performance. While culture defines an organization’s underlying values and norms, climate reflects employees’ perceptions of the work environment. In the educational context, both elements influence educational organization, school governance, teacher engagement, and student outcomes. However, most studies have focused predominantly on the business sector, often treating culture and climate as separate concepts, leaving a research gap in the field of education. This article addresses that gap by analyzing the evolution and trends in studies on school culture and climate through a systematic review of 1,075 publications over twenty-five years. The methodological approach combined the guidelines of the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) 2020 statement, including the checklist, explanation and elaboration document, and flow diagram, with bibliometric techniques using VOSviewer to map research dynamics. The findings reveal that since 2016, there has been a notable increase in publications, driven largely by policies aimed at improving school management and performance. “Organizational Culture” is the most frequently used term (86%), while “Safety Climate” predominates in the North American literature. The United States (US) leads in research production, with the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Illinois standing out as key contributors. Evidence shows that fostering a school culture based on dialogue and participatory decision-making is essential for building a positive school climate. These conditions promote institutional innovation, strengthen student performance, and foster a collective sense of identity and belonging within the school community.