Chapter 16: Organizational Culture

Question 1

organizational culture

Answer 1

a system of SHARED MEANING held by an organization’s members that distinguish the organization from others

Question 2

what are the six primary characteristics of org. culture?

Answer 2

1) adaptability
2) detail orientation
3) results/outcome orientation
4) people/customer orientation
5) collaboration/team orientation
6) integrity

Question 3

dominant culture

Answer 3

a culture that expresses the CORE values that are shared by a MAJORITY of the organization’s members

Question 4

core values

Answer 4

the primary or dominant values that are accepted throughout the organization

Question 5

subcultures

Answer 5

mini-cultures within an organization, typically defined by department designations and geographical separation

Question 6

strong culture

Answer 6

a culture in which the core values are intensely held and widely shared

Question 7

organizational climate

Answer 7

the shared perceptions that organizational members have about their organization and work environment

Question 8

ethical culture

Answer 8

the shared concept of right and wrong behavior in the workplace that reflects the true values of the organization and shapes the ethical decision making of its members

Question 9

sustainability

Answer 9

maintaining organizational practices over a long period of time because the tools or structures that support them are not damaged by the processes

Question 10

institutionalization

Answer 10

a condition that occurs when an organization takes on a life of its own, apart from any of its members

Question 11

factors of culture as a liability

Answer 11

1) institutionalization
2) barriers to change
3) barriers to diversity
4) toxicity and dysfunctions
5) barriers to acquisitions and mergers

Question 12

how a culture begins

Answer 12

founders hire like-minded people, they indoctrinate and socialize employees to their way of thinking and feeling, and their own behavior encourages employees to identify with them and internalize their beliefs

Question 13

how do you keep culture alive?

Answer 13

1) selection of like-minded people
2) top management
3) socialization

Question 14

socialization

Answer 14

a process that adapts employees to the organization’s culture

Question 15

prearrival stage

Answer 15

the period of learning in the socialization process that occurs before a new employee joins the organization

Question 16

encounter stage

Answer 16

the stage in the socialization process in which a new employee sees what the organization is really like and confronts the possibility that expectations and reality may diverge

Question 17

metamorphosis stage

Answer 17

the stage in the socialization process in which a new employee changes and adjusts to the job, workgroup, and organization

Question 18

rituals

Answer 18

repetitive sequences of activities that express and reinforce the key values of the organization, which goals are most important, which people are important, and which are expendable

Question 19

material symbols

Answer 19

what conveys to employees who is important, the degree of egalitarianism top management desires, and the kinds of behavior that are appropriate

Question 20

positive organizational culture

Answer 20

a culture that emphasizes building on employee strengths, rewards more than punishes and emphasizes individual vitality and growth

Question 21

workplace spirituality

Answer 21

the recognition that people have an inner life that nourishes and is nourished by meaningful work that takes place in the context of community