Originality/value-The main contribution to the knowledge lies in the combination of different theoretical frameworks and the empirical approach used to test the importance of CEO characteristics in organizations and in their ability to develop cooperation networks. Findings-General support was found for a theoretical model in which CEO personality traits, particularly conscientiousness, openness to experience, and extraversion, influence both organizational culture and silos, and observable variables such as age and management tenure influence the ability of the firm to develop internal coordination competences, thus inhibiting the appearance of silos. Using survey data from 185 small-to-medium-sized firms from two sectors-accommodation and food, beverage, and tobacco-a structural equation model was applied to determine if the theoretical model could be confirmed or not, and the partial least squares technique was used to check if certain relationships exist.

Design/methodology/approach-A questionnaire was built using information collected during the literature review stage and emailed to the firm decision-makers. Purpose-The purpose of the study is to understand the impact of psychological and observable CEO characteristics on organizational culture and silos. Consultants are urged to study these manifestations towards understanding silos and their effect on team identity better. Contribution/value-add: The findings evidenced silo behaviour to be an unconscious phenomenon influencing team identity negatively. The silo resembles an iceberg - the largest part is below the surface. Practical/managerial implications: Consulting on silo behaviour as physical structures only may not be successful in changing organisational behaviour. Main findings: Themes that emerged were the physical environment and structure, intra-group relations, experiences of management, and intergroup relations. Trustworthiness and ethical standards were ensured.

Using discourse analysis four themes manifested, integrated into four working hypotheses and a research hypothesis. Data gathering consisted of 25 narrative interviews.

Research design, approach and method: A qualitative and descriptive research design using a case study strategy was used. It is hoped that findings from this qualitative study could give consultants entry into what happens below the surface in the silos' unconscious. Motivation for the study: During a recent organisational consultation the researchers realised that a so-called silo phenomenon had much more unexplained unconscious behaviour than was traditionally realised in terms of organisational development. Research purpose: The purpose of this research was to describe how the silo mentality impacts on team identity. Silos result in the splitting of organisational artefacts and relationships, and impact negatively on relationship forming between individuals and within teams. Orientation: Organisational silos do not only refer to conscious structures, but also to an unconscious state of mind and mentality that takes on a life of its own.

Silo mentality