subject: Organizational Culture [print this page] Organizational culture can be summed up as a scheme in the field of organizational management studies and research. It is a combination of approaches, experiences, attitudes, beliefs, policies, values and psychological thoughts which go into an organization. Organizational culture is a collection of norms which people in an organization abide to. The set of principles, ethics and morals can be collectively called as the base of an organizational culture. Hierarchy is an important factor which acts like a mechanism towards the growth of an organization's culture. Organizational culture is shared by all and is widely regarded as a symbol of its cultural unity.
A company is known by the organizational values it lives with. It is more like a way of life in most organizations. All new employees of a firm are exposed to the organizational culture through mingling with other employees. Social interaction is a key to the organizational culture.
The term organizational culture is also called as corporate culture in some references, but the two concepts are different in many ways. Organizational culture can be either strong or weak depending upon the set of values shared.
The Concept of Strong Culture and Weak Culture:
Strong culture is said to exist where staff readily responds to motivation because of their connection towards organizational principles and values. Such a situation of strong culture happens when clear set of ethics, morals and work principles are extensively shared by the employees. The style of management is reflected by the organizational culture. A weak culture contradicts the concept of strong culture. Weak culture is when an organization doesn't have clear set of values and beliefs. If it has those values, then weak cultures fail to have them shared comprehensively by employees. Weak cultures justify flexibility and creativity though.
Organizational culture is achieved through symbols, language, network of shared meanings, stories, rituals and network of power struggles as well. These can be physical or vocal expressions (of understandings) of the employees involved. This understanding is altered and upgraded regularly, hence the organizational culture updates as well.
Communication contributes enormously in an organizational culture. Communication is divided into many categories as per the process through which it helps.
Metaphors and Descriptions: This refers to comparing the organization to a cohesive unit, like a family.
Stories: Stories give specific examples as to what someone must do in a particular situation.
Ceremonies: This process combines stories, symbols and metaphors which can be used during functions for acknowledgement.
Rites: This involves giving new responsibilities to employees, resolving confusions and conflicts and rewards and recognitions.
Other methods include creating fantasy themes apart from the traditional methods of providing justifications and criticism. Eventually a healthy organizational culture helps an organization to become a structured and a unified unit.
