Purpose – Within the framework of Resource-Based View (RBV) we evaluated the relationship between corporate culture and superior business performance in a sample of 62 Latin American firms traded on the NYSE.Design/methodology/approach – Data retrieved from 20-F forms and the CRSP database, covering the period 2011-2016, was submitted to multiple linear regression with robust errors and random effects. Findings – Our results revealed that i) the 7 Latin American countries represented in the

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... le displayed a very similar mix of corporate culture, with a slight predominance of the competitive type, ii) less indebted and larger firms attained higher levels of superior business performance, and iii) auditing by one of the Big Four was associated with better performance in firms with competitive and creative culture. In the multiple regression analysis, creative culture was the best explanatory factor of superior corporate performance. Thus, we conclude that a culture with an emphasis on innovation generates competitive advantage.Originality/value – The organizations should make efforts to understand and manage the dynamics of corporate culture, harnessing their own dominant culture in the quest for superior corporate performance. As posited by RBV, our results show that investment in creative and innovative culture is particularly favorable to the creation of competitive advantage and, consequently, business performance.