1. Organizational Culture Theory
Developed in 1982 by Michael Pachanowsky and Nick O’Donnell Trujillo, with the addition of Clifford Geertz’s methods in 1983

2. What is Organizational Culture?
Organizational culture represents the collective values, beliefs and principles of organizational members
An organization is defined as a group of individuals who have shared interests

3. What is organizational culture made of?
Core Values
Symbols
Perception

4. Core Values
Shared principles and standards among the people of an organization
These shared values are essential to defining an organization
Vision and mission statements must connect with the actions of the organization

5. Symbols
Physical – Slogans, logos, a visual identity, choices in clothing
Behavioral – Rituals, social ques, customs, rewards and punishments
Verbal – Jokes, stories, metaphors and all other communication shared by members of the organization

6. Thoughts on Perception
Actions and activities in the culture helps build diversity in the culture
An individual’s perception and participation may differ from those of others
In order to understand the culture, one must be a part of it

7. The Spider Web Metaphor
The spiderweb is intricate and unique – so is any given organizational structure.
Employees and managers, spin this complex web within their organization through communication, and therefore create a “culture”
Clifford Geertz started building upon the Symbolic Interactionism framework to construct this theory. His contributions matter because they refined the final theory

8. What is Ethnography
Ethnography is a qualitative methodology that uncovers and interprets artifacts, stories, rituals, and practices to reveal meaning in a culture.
Ethnography is…
Modular
Hand’s on
Reliant on the researcher’s presence
This is important because:

9. The Communicative Performance
Ritual performances: the regular, reoccurring actions at work. They include personal, task, organizational, social actions.
Political performances: organizational behaviors that demonstrate power or control. Authority, leadership, etc.
Enculturation performances: organizational behaviors that assist in employees discovering what it means to be a member of an organization

10. Criticism Explained
In large organizations critics argue there cannot be just one culture
One may not want to participate in the culture if they feel they’re going against their own personal morals/values
There are too many variables, dimensions and perceptions to be effective
If leaders of the culture do not follow the values of their culture, the members will not either

11. Clarifying Quotes
“Culture is not something that an organization has; a culture is something that an organization is.”
Pacanowsky & O’Donnell-Trujillo
‘Culture is communicatively constructed by organizational practices and is distinct to each organization.’
Page 276, Chap 16, of the textbook.

12. As Presented by: