Unit 7.3 Flashcards
Cultural values in an organisational context
Values can be associated with groups including families, clans, organisations or nations
Values are important because organisations want to create winning cultures in which people want to excel and feel a sense of meaningfulness and belonging
Organisational culture
a pattern of basic assumptions that a particular group has learned because these assumptions have helped the group deal sufficiently enough with external adaptation and
internal integration to be valid and are therefore taught to new members as the correct way to perceive, think and feel
Hofstede and Feldman and Msibi’s cultural value dimension
*Hofstede related values in the work situation to values systems in cultures
Hofstede’s theory on cultural values
1.Power distance
2.Individualism vs collectivism
3.Masculinity and femininity
4.Uncertainty avoidance
Power distance
Power distance can vary on a continuum between a large power-distance situation and a small power-distance situation.
High power distance
characterised by many inequalities, autocratic management and large remuneration differences
Low power distance
characterised by all employees treated as equals, positions of authority serve a functional purpose
Individualism
individuals have more freedom to make their own decisions and pursue their own interests
Focuses more on individual performance
Collectivism
members are strongly integrated into groups and are expected to adhere to group norms and pursue group purposes
Focuses more on team accomplishment, loyalty, interdependence and group relationships
Masculine
assertiveness, ambition, performance and competition
Money and material success considered most important and conflict is handled upfront
Feminine
modesty, unity, quality of social relationships deemed important and conflict is handled by careful discussion and compromise
Uncertainty avoidance
The extent to which change and uncertainty is tolerated and coped with
Corporate values (organization specific values)
In the past, organisations focused mainly on values for shareholders
Today, there is greater pressure to create value for all stakeholders
Corporate values – guiding principles for development of organisational culture
New employees are assessed to determine fit between the person and the organisation values
Ethical values
*Ethics is the study of moral values and moral behaviour
*Doing what is good and right
The need for creating an ethical organisation
-Recruitment - attract
-Retaining talent
-Customers prefer to be associated with an organisation with a good reputation
