Edgar Schein's model of organizational culture

Question 1

What is Edgar Schein’s model of organizational culture?

Answer 1

• it is also called the iceberg model

Three levels of culture:
1. organizational attributes
2. professed culture/values
3. basic assumptions (shared assumptions)

Question 2

What is the first level?

Answer 2

Organizational attributes - things that can be seen instantly
- Physical artifacts: decoration, what kind of office, uniforms
- language: how do people talk to each other, also THE language
- stories and myths: stories of themselves, origin of the company
- technology: how they use it, whether they us it or not
- visible traditions: hand shaking, saying hello or bowing, traditions

Question 3

What is the second level?

Answer 3

Professed culture/values - “how things should be”
- what we are trying to be
- mission statement
- values

Question 4

What is the third level?

Answer 4

Basic assumptions (shared assumptions) - unwritten rules and expectations
- everybody knows them, but nobody talks about them
- you only notice them if you work there for a while