Chapter 16 - Creating and Sustaining Culture

Question 1

What is organizational culture?

Answer 1

A system of shared meaning held by members that distinguishes the organization from other organizations

Question 2

What are the seven characteristics of organizational culture?

Answer 2

Innovation and risk taking
Attention to detail
Outcome orientation
People orientation
Team orientation
Aggressiveness
Stability

Question 3

Is culture descriptive (perceive) or evaluative (feel)?

Answer 3

Descriptive (Job satisfaction is evaluative)

Question 4

What is the link between a strong culture and high formalization?

Answer 4

They both create predictability, orderliness, and consistency. However, a strong culture achieves it without the need for written documentation

Question 5

What is an organizational climate?

Answer 5

The shared perceptions organizational members have about their organization and work environment. Created by culture.

Question 6

What are the four ways culture can be a liability?

Answer 6

Institutionalization
(Behaviors and habits go unquestioned – can
stifle innovation)

Barriers to change
(Culture is slow to change – even in
a dynamic environment)

Barriers to diversity
(Culture seeks to minimize diversity
Can embed prevalent bias and prejudice)

Barriers to acquisitions and mergers
(Cultural incompatibility can be a problem)

Question 7

What are the three main sources of keeping a culture alive?

Answer 7

Selection, Top management, and Socialization (help new employees adapt)