Organizational Culture Chapter 14: pp Organizational Behavior 261 Gabrielle Durepos

Reminders for Today Attendance Group Sign up is due on Wed Sept 28 th –Sign up on Moodle The academic (dis)honesty exercise: moved to Wed Sept 28 th Globe & Mail Assignment is due on Mon Oct 3 rd –Examples & marking sheets are posted on Moodle –Assignments are due in class; physical format When ing me: –Please put your course number and section in the subject line

Outline Toward an understanding of culture 2 Approaches to organizational culture –Clinical –Ethnographic 5 Characteristics that affect organizational culture –Personalities –Structures –Practices and Processes –Symbolism 5 characteristics that affect organizational culture exercise Conclusions

Toward an understanding of Culture Refers to the dominant ways of doing things in an organization that are reflected in the activities of individuals Factors that constitute the culture of an organization: –Leadership styles, values, beliefs, symbols, artifacts, language, dress, rites, ceremonies, stories, structure, slogans

Two Approaches to Organizational Culture: Clinical Approach A method for looking at Organizational Culture The researcher takes the role of “consultant” –Hired to “FIX” problems Finds organizational problems Finds solutions / cultural factors that will help the organization deal with its problems Suggests recommendations to change culture to improve the bottom line Prescriptive – knowledge to improve the bottom line –Knowledge about organizational culture for the purpose of helping managers improve the bottom line

Two Approaches to Organizational Culture: Ethnographic Approach A method for looking at Organizational Culture The researcher takes the role of “observer” –Negotiates their way into the organization –Observes practices and processes –Seeks to understand how organizational culture works How do different aspects of an organization's culture affect behavior? Descriptive - Knowledge for the sake of knowledge –Broaden our knowledge of business practices & organizational culture in general

5 Characteristics that Affect Organizational Culture: 1 - Personalities Culture is affected by people within the organization and their interactions over time –Not everyone is equal in the organization Founders and CEO –Culture change programs are often written with the vision of Its formal leader Innovators, conformists, resisters, enforcers… –All others in the organization play a role in shaping the culture Some resist change, some enforce change…

5 Characteristics that Affect Organizational Culture: 2 – Structures 1/2 Different types of organizational structures will lead to different types of cultures: Role Culture –Activities of employees are coordinated and controlled according to their positions in the organization –Example: Bureaucratic organizations – control, communication and coordination are structured through someone’s designated role –Leads to a culture where there is more control Task Culture –Activities of employees are organized around a project, each contribute particular skills –Not too much control - don’t want to hinder creativity Power Culture –Activities of employees are organized around an owner /practitioner or professional Owner or professional designates tasks as they are needed Example: dentist office or lawyer –Owner or professional has much influence over the culture Person Culture –Activities are organized around the needs of its members –Example: Trade Unions; motorcycle gang

5 Characteristics that Affect Organizational Culture: 2 – Structures 2/2 A radical approach to structure & culture: –Organizations that are structured around: Production for sale rather than need Market oriented Hierarchal … Are in essence alienating, exploitative, anti-democratic and gendered… –Alternative structures: Co-operatives (Just Us Fair Trade Investment Co-Operative) Customer Co-op (MEC customers engage in democratic process) Worker co-operatives (Just Us Coffee Rosters Co-op) –Each of these structures impact those working with them – and affect the type of culture of that organization

5 Characteristics that Affect Organizational Culture: 3 – Practices & 4 - Processes Organizations develop processes and practices that are particular to them –EX: All universities serve a same function but do this in different ways Some are solely “case based” Some are “course work based” Their processes and practices are influenced by: –The rules and regulations of the organization –The particular structure in place

5 Characteristics that Affect Organizational Culture: 5 - Symbolism Visible signs and artifacts that have a particular meaning that is associated with the organization Examples: –Symbols visible signs that become associated with an organization (ex: a logo) –Dress do they dress formally, informally in uniform? –Slogans jingles used for marketing purposes or internal sentences that are repeated and common –Ceremonies arise out of practices of establishment; celebrate a certain time / designation –Language certain words used that mean something particular to an organization –Stories oft told tales that center around someone or something in the organization; can motivate or hinder

5 characteristics that affect organizational culture Exercise Watch the clip: An Inside Look at Google Describe the 5 characteristics that affect organizational culture: –Personalities –Structures –Practices –Processes –Symbolism Use these five characteristics to describe the culture at Google What conclusions can we draw from this analysis?

Conclusions Ethical Concerns: –Can we impose a set of values on individuals to achieve profit oriented ends –What about the individual and their personal values, beliefs and attitudes? Does culture ignore issues of diversity? –Or is it a powerful heuristic to inspect these issues closely?