3-2 The Culture Web model of organisational culture

Question 1

Six interrelated factors comprising the “paradigm” of the work environment are captured in the Culture Web (Johnson and Scholes, 1999).

Answer 1

1. The paradigm: The set of common assumptions within an organisation that are at the root of its day-to-day operations - pattern or a model.
2. Routines: The usual behaviours of the organisation’s members, and the rituals of how the organisation functions. These reinforce what is valued within the organisation and reinforce norms.
3. Stories: The anecdotes and examples of events and personalities that are based in the organisation’s history and shared among employees and management, as well as with new employees and external stakeholders as needed..
4. Symbols: The lingo, terminology, logos, titles, offices and cars that implicitly describe the nature of the organisation.
5. Control systems: The reward systems and methods of measurement which have the effect of focusing attention and activity and emphasising items of importance.
6. Power structures: The leading executive or management groups within the organisation are usually most associated with the organisation’s main assumptions and beliefs.
7. The formal organisational structure: The stated, formal description of an organisation’s power structures, which delineates important relationships and marks priorities.