Culture Flashcards
Defining Organisational Culture
The pattern of basic assumptions that a given group has invented, discovered or developed in learning to cope with its problems. These are taught to new members.
Define corporate and organisationalculture
Organisational culture: naturally occurring phenomenon that all organisations possess
Corporate culture: more management driven, in an attempt to increase organisational effectiveness
Generally, what is culture?
. Invisible to us
. Tells us that ours is the correct way of doing things
. Based on our shared knowledge, experience, beliefs and values
. It shapes the way we act and think
To start a culture change all we need to do is two simple things:
. Do dramatic story-worthy things that represent the culture we want to create. Then let other people tell stories about it.
. Find other people who do story-worthy things that represent the culture we want to create. Then tell stories about them.
What are the three levels of culture and by who and when?
Schein (2004):
1) Artefacts- Visible organisational structures and processes
2) Espoused Beliefs and Values- Strategies, goals, philosophies
3) Underlying Assumptions- Unconscious, taken-for-granted beliefs, perceptions, thoughts and feelings
Define national culture
The set of values, assumptions and beliefs that are dominant in the population of a particular country.
Who researched national culture dimensions and when?
. Hofstede’s (1991)
. National Culture Dimensions
Explain Hofstede’s (1991) National Culture Dimensions?
Collected survey data of IBM employees in 50+ countries
Concerning work-related values from international affiliates
1991: shows that managers in different countries varied in the strength of their attitudes and values on specific issues
What were Hofstede’s (1991) National Culture Dimensions?
. Power distance
. Uncertainty avoidance
. Individualism
. Masculinity
What was power distance in Hofstede’s (1991) National Culture Dimensions?
The extent to which members are willing to accept an unequal distribution of power, wealth and privilege
High: Latin European, e.g. Spain, China
Low: USA, UK
What was Uncertainty avoidance in Hofstede’s (1991) National Culture Dimensions?
The manner in which individuals have learned to cope with uncertainty
High: Canada
Low: Norway
What was individualism in Hofstede’s (1991) National Culture Dimensions?
The degree to which individuals are required to act independently
High = U.S.A. (Individualism)
Low = Sweden (Collectivism)
What was masculinity in Hofstede’s (1991) National Culture Dimensions?
Related to dominant values such as success and money rather then femininity- stronger concern for interpersonal relationships, caring
High = Australia (i.e. masculine)
Low = Denmark (i.e. feminine)
What is the critique of Hofstede’s (1991) National Culture Dimensions?
-The influence of IBM culture, regardless of country
potential bias of the researchers
-Concepts, e.g. ‘masculinity’, are themselves understood differently in different cultures
-Only one MNC
+Hofstede’s work opened the way for much further research and his dimensions are still used
