2. Organizational Culture
Module 14
Organizational
Culture

3. Learning Objectives
1. Explain the nature of national and regional culture.
2. Describe a conceptual framework that can guide the assessment of a national culture.
3. Identify and define the key features of organizational culture.
4. Identify the relationship between symbolism and organizational culture.
5. Describe the key factors that affect organizational culture.
6. Identify the challenges in managing organizational culture.
7. Explain the relationship between organizational culture and organizational effectiveness.

4. Key Terms and Concepts Culture Culture management
Hofstede’s dimensions of culture
Managing organizational culture
National culture model
Organizational culture
Organizational effectiveness
Symbolism
Value orientation model

5. Module Outline Premodule Preparation Introduction Culture
Organizational Culture
Symbol Sensitivity and the Management of Culture
Organizational Culture and Organizational Effectiveness
Summary

6. Premodule Preparation
Activity 14-1: Exploring the Trouteville Police’s Culture
Objective:
To appreciate the meaning of creation process and role of organizational culture in an organization setting.
Case Study: The Troutville Police Department
Introduction
The Reorganization
The Case
Assignment

7. Premodule Preparation
(Continued)
Activity 14-2: Symbol Identification
Objectives:
a: To appreciate the symbolic nature of the workplace.
b: To explore the relationship between symbols and organizational culture.

8. Introduction Explore national and regional culture
Examine key features of organizational culture
Explore ways to manage organizational culture

9. Culture Defining Culture
Different Conceptual Roadmaps to Understanding Culture
Value Orientation Model
National Culture Model

10. Organizational Culture
Defining Organizational Culture
The Organizational Context of Organizational Culture

11. Organizational Culture
(Continued)

12. Organizational Culture
(Continued)

13. Organizational Culture
(Continued)

14. Symbol Sensitivity and the Management of Culture
Culture is a powerful variable that knits companies together.
Cultural sensitivity should precede culture management.
Culture management is a two-way street.
Symbols in an organization:
shape assumptions
provide emotional glue
influence perceptions of stakeholders

15. Symbol Sensitivity and the Management of Culture
(Continued)
Common company symbols:
corner offices
company jets
gold watches
performance review
sales shortfall
A symbol is any person, object, or event that organizational members invest with personal meanings.

16. Organizational Culture and Organizational Effectiveness
Corporate cultures (Deal and Terrence):
can have a significant impact on a firm’s long-term economic performance
will determine the success or failure of firms in the next decade
that inhibit strong long-term financial performance are not rare
can be made more performance enhancing
Organizational culture (Schein):
pattern of basic assumptions
invented, discovered, or developed by a given group
coping with problems of external adaptation and internal integration
works well enough to be taught to new members
as the correct way to perceive, think, and feel in relation to those problems.

17. Organizational Culture and Organizational Effectiveness
(Continued)
Focus on symbols (Shani and Lau):
investigation of culture - meaning of culture
management of culture - management of culture change
Symbols:
communicate corporate purpose - critique strategic plans
enhance organizational control - harmonize intergroup relations
ease the pain of transitions - support organizational ideologies
understand subcultures
Sensitivity to symbols involves an awareness of how they:
shape cognition
function as containers for emotions

18. Summary ?
Questions