Which term refers to the actual culture that exists within an organization?

The term that best refers to the actual culture that exists within an organization is "real corporate culture." This concept encompasses the true beliefs, values, and behaviors that are present and practiced among employees in their everyday interactions, rather than what the organization publicly states or aspires to be.

The real corporate culture reflects the lived experience of employees, influenced by various factors such as management practices, interpersonal relationships, and informal norms that develop over time. Understanding this culture is essential for recognizing how it affects employee morale, productivity, and overall organizational effectiveness. In contrast, other terms like official corporate culture and projected corporate culture pertain to the way the organization and its leadership present their values and ethos, which may not always align with the actual experiences of staff.