Chapter 15 - Organizational Culture Flashcards
What is Organizational Culture?
a system of shared meaning held by an organization’s members that distinguishes the organization from others
What six primary characteristics seem to capture the essence of an organization’s culture?
- Adaptability
- Detail orientation
- Results/outcome orientation
- People/customer orientation
- Collaboration/team orientations
- Integrity
What does Dominant Culture mean?
the core values that are shared by a majority of the organization’s members
What do Core Values mean?
the primary or dominant values that are accepted throughout the organization
What are Subcultures?
Mini-cultures within an organization, typically defined by department designations and geographical separation
What is Strong Culture?
a culture in which the core values are intensely held and widely shared
What are the most potent ways in which culture is transmitted to employees?
stories, rituals, material symbols, and language
What are Rituals?
Repeated actions that show and support an organization’s main values, goals, and who or what is seen as important
What are Material Symbols?
Physical items that represent the values and beliefs of an organization’s culture
What is Socialization?
a process that enables new employees to acquire the social knowledge and necessary skills to adapt to the organization’s culture
What is the Pre-arrival Stage>
the period of learning in the socialization process that occurs before a new employee joining the organization
What is the Encounter Stage?
the stage in the socialization process where a new employee sees what the organization is really like
What is the Metamorphosis Stage?
the stage in the socialization process where a new employee changes and adjusts to the job, work group, and organization
What is Organizational Climate?
How people in an organization commonly view their workplace, including its policies, practices, and environment
What is Ethical Culture?
the shared concept of right and wrong behavior in the workplace and shapes the ethical decision making of its members
What is Sustainability?
maintaining organizational practices over a long period of time
What is Institutionalization?
when an organization takes on a life of its own, apart from any of its members
Who is the organization’s culture set by?
its founders
What is Positive Organizational Culture?
a culture that values building on employee strengths, rewards more than it punishes, and encourages individuals vitality and growth
What is Workplace Spirituality?
the recognition that people have an inner life that is nourished by meaningful work in the context of community
