Hauptorientierung

Hauptorientierung is a German term that denotes the central guiding orientation of a person, group, or organization. It refers to the main principle, goal, or value around which decisions, actions, and interpretations are organized.

Etymology and scope: The word combines Haupt (main, principal) and Orientierung (orientation). In academic and professional discourse, it is used across disciplines to describe the single most important axis that shapes priorities and behavior, while subsidiary orientations may exist alongside it.

Applications: In organizational theory and management, the Hauptorientierung is the primary strategic focus that guides resource allocation and decision making, for example a customer-oriented Hauptorientierung or an innovation-oriented Hauptorientierung. In political science or sociology, it can describe the dominant ideological or policy orientation of an actor or movement. In psychology, it may refer to the central motivational orientation underlying behavior, such as achievement, affiliation, or power.

Determination and dynamics: The Hauptorientierung arises from values, norms, and goals and can be explicit, such as in a mission statement, or inferred from everyday practices. It is not static; it can evolve with changes in leadership, environment, or strategic goals, while remaining a reference point for assessing action coherence.

Relation to related concepts: It is related to, but distinct from, broader notions like mission, core values, or overall strategic orientation. It emphasizes the central axis of a system rather than a full catalog of priorities, and should be distinguished from tactical considerations.

See also:

- Leitbild

- Mission statement

- Core value

- Strategic orientation

- Organizational culture