Chapter 8 - Social influence

Question 1

Organizational culture

Answer 1

shared beliefs, values and assumptions which determine the norm and pattern of behaviour; what defines the organization and it is what the company stands for

Question 2

characteristics of organizational culture

Answer 2

true way of life, fairly stable over time and provide social continuity, strong influence on organizational performance and member satisfaction

Question 3

Subcultures

Answer 3

smaller cultures developed within a larger organizational culture based on differences in training, occupation or departmental goals; effective organizations will have an overarching culture to manage different subcultures

Question 4

“strong culture” concept

Answer 4

intense and pervasive beliefs, values and assumptions
great consensus about what the org is about
in weak cultures, beliefs, values and assumptions
big company does not equal strong culture
strong culture do not equal blind conformity
strong culture associated with greater success and effectiveness

Question 5

Assets of strong culture

Answer 5

coordination, conflict resolution, financial success

Question 6

coordination

Answer 6

overarching values and assumptions that facilitate coordination. Different parts of the organization can cooperate with each other

Question 7

conflict resolution

Answer 7

sharing core values facilitates conflict resolution

Question 8

financial success

Answer 8

when culture supports mission, strategy and goals of the company it leads to financial success

Question 9

liabilities of strong culture

Answer 9

resistance to change can lead to lack of innovation
culture clash/conflict (M&A)
pathology: some cultures can preach friction, secrecy and paranoia

Question 10

How culture is built and maintained

Answer 10

The founder’s role and socialization

Question 11

The founder’s role

Answer 11

strong culture reflects the values of the founder’s + top management has strong influence (if top mgmt and founder dont match = conflict)

Question 12

Socialization

Answer 12

learning by being around the people

Question 13

socialization process

Answer 13

1. selecting employees
2. debasement (undoing) and hazing
3. training in the trenches
4. reward and promotion
5. exposure to core culture
6. reinforcing folklore
7. role models

Question 14

How to diagnose a culture organizational

Answer 14

examine symbols, rituals and stories

Question 15

symbols

Answer 15

corporate motto or mascot that provides common meaning and reinforce cultural values

Question 16

rituals

Answer 16

parties, recognition award, employee nights define and express culture; send a cultural message

Question 17

stories

Answer 17

folklore of the organization (past organizational events), repeated among generations “how things work”