Chapter 16: Organizational Culture Flashcards
organizational culture
a system of SHARED MEANING held by an organization’s members that distinguish the organization from others
what are the six primary characteristics of org. culture?
1) adaptability
2) detail orientation
3) results/outcome orientation
4) people/customer orientation
5) collaboration/team orientation
6) integrity
dominant culture
a culture that expresses the CORE values that are shared by a MAJORITY of the organization’s members
core values
the primary or dominant values that are accepted throughout the organization
subcultures
mini-cultures within an organization, typically defined by department designations and geographical separation
strong culture
a culture in which the core values are intensely held and widely shared
organizational climate
the shared perceptions that organizational members have about their organization and work environment
ethical culture
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
sustainability
maintaining organizational practices over a long period of time because the tools or structures that support them are not damaged by the processes
institutionalization
a condition that occurs when an organization takes on a life of its own, apart from any of its members
factors of culture as a liability
1) institutionalization
2) barriers to change
3) barriers to diversity
4) toxicity and dysfunctions
5) barriers to acquisitions and mergers
how a culture begins
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
how do you keep culture alive?
1) selection of like-minded people
2) top management
3) socialization
socialization
a process that adapts employees to the organization’s culture
prearrival stage
the period of learning in the socialization process that occurs before a new employee joins the organization
encounter stage
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
metamorphosis stage
the stage in the socialization process in which a new employee changes and adjusts to the job, workgroup, and organization
rituals
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
material symbols
what conveys to employees who is important, the degree of egalitarianism top management desires, and the kinds of behavior that are appropriate
positive organizational culture
a culture that emphasizes building on employee strengths, rewards more than punishes and emphasizes individual vitality and growth
workplace spirituality
the recognition that people have an inner life that nourishes and is nourished by meaningful work that takes place in the context of community
