Week 11: Organisational Culture

Question 1

What influences worker attitudes and behaviours (e.g. commitment, job performance)

Answer 1

The culture and climate(s) of the organisation

Question 2

Organisational culture

Answer 2

beliefs and assumptions members share about their organisation: its mission or purpose, core values, major strategies and so on

Question 3

Organisational climate

Answer 3

The (shared) perceptions of how the organisation functions, what it is like to work in this setting and the manner in which people interrelate with each other

Question 4

Schein’s organisational culture model

Answer 4

Says there are 3 components of culture, visible aspects known as artefact, somewhat visible aspects known as espoused values and hidden aspects known as basic assumptions

Question 5

Artefact

Answer 5

visible aspects of culture e.g. organisational structure, process, language used, environment, technology use

Question 6

Espoused Values

Answer 6

Organisational standards, strategies and goals, values, rules of behavior e.g. company’s mission and vision statements, values

Question 7

Basic Assumptions

Answer 7

Deeply embedded, taken-for granted

beliefs. Usually unconscious. Difficult to recognise from within

Question 8

FedUni example of basic assumptions

Answer 8

Importance of education and research that is important for society

Question 9

FedUni example of espoused values

Answer 9

The mission statement,

Question 10

FedUni example of Artefact

Answer 10

Graduations
Research Facilities
Lectures
Student supports

Question 11

Robbins and colleagues (1998) came up with 4 typologies of culture

Answer 11

Academy
Club
Baseball Team
Fortress

Question 12

Academy

Answer 12

Strive to become competent; emphasis on education and training/development

Question 13

Club

Answer 13

Emphasis on members fitting in and being committed; seniority and experience valued

Question 14

Baseball Team

Answer 14

Risk taking and innovation encouraged.

Question 15

Fortress

Answer 15

Preoccupation with survival and market share; during times of change may need to adjust approach (but not necessarily)

Question 16

Effects of positive organisational culture

Answer 16

increase performance/productivity

Culture can influence via strategy

Question 17

Culture also has potential negative impacts on performance

Answer 17

Barrier to change

Barrier to diversity

Barrier to mergers and takeovers

Question 18

Factors that influence creation and

development of organisational culture

Answer 18

Leader change, shifting organisational priorities

Question 19

Culture developed and maintained via two main processes

Answer 19

Communication: how an organisation communicates their cultural values. Can be formal or informal

Socialisation: ongoing and continuous; process of learning

Question 20

How do we assess organisational culture?

Assessment of culture falls into two general approaches

Answer 20

Emic research

Etic Research

Question 21

Emic research

Answer 21

qualitative approach where researchersxamine procedures, policies, interactions between members etc.

Question 22

Etic research

Answer 22

quantitative approach where cultural dimensions are measured usually by questionnaires

Question 23

National culture and organisational culture

Answer 23

A culture of any organisation will be influenced by the national culture in which that organisation operates. Key research on link between national and organisational culture from Hofstede

Question 24

Key research on link between national and organisational culture from Hofstede

Answer 24

Theorised that there would be a core business culture but differences across offices due to different national cultures. Identified five dimensions on which nations and organisations differ.

Question 25

5 Cultural dimensions by Hofstede

Answer 25

Power distance
Individualism 
Uncertainty avoidance
Femininity/Masculinity
Time Orientation

I’m not sure if you need to know these but there are explanations on the slides if you want to have a look : )

By the way, you’re awesome, I’ve probably said that a lot lately but it’s very true!! (truce haha)

Question 26

Organisational climate expanded

Answer 26

There was a lot more information on climate but it wasn’t on the checklist so I didn’t make cards for it but you can have a look at the slides if you think it will help

: D