1. Organizations as Culture

2. What is Culture? “Patterns of development reflected in a society’s system of knowledge, ideology, laws and day-to- day rituals.” p. 166 “Patterns of development reflected in a society’s system of knowledge, ideology, laws and day-to- day rituals.” p. 166 Define each term above and discuss how it is part of culture. Define each term above and discuss how it is part of culture.

3. Culture in U.S. Organizations Think about the terms: Think about the terms: System of knowledge System of knowledge Ideology Ideology Laws Laws Day-to-day rituals Day-to-day rituals What do such terms uncover about organizations in the U.S? In other words, how do we take organizational life for granted in this country? What would someone from another country notice about organizations here? So that you may adequately understand the above concepts, we must also analyze the ways: LanguageSpaceNormsValues Are integrated into them…..

4. How difficult is it to de-construct a Culture? Nacirema Nacirema http://www.msu.edu/~jdowell/miner.html http://www.msu.edu/~jdowell/miner.html http://www.msu.edu/~jdowell/miner.html

5. Culture and Organizations U.S. versus Japanese histories led to different patterns in organizations. U.S. versus Japanese histories led to different patterns in organizations. For example, our belief in “Individualism” creates certain rules in the workplace about reward/punishment. For example, our belief in “Individualism” creates certain rules in the workplace about reward/punishment.

6. Ethnocentrism and Culture How do we assume that the U.S. way of organizing is the best? How do we assume that the U.S. way of organizing is the best? Our parenting involves making all children reach “to the top” because….But in England, children are supposed to be “seen and not heard.” Our parenting involves making all children reach “to the top” because….But in England, children are supposed to be “seen and not heard.”

7. Corporate Cultures and Subcultures Organizations are mini-societies with their own cultures Organizations are mini-societies with their own cultures Corporate leaders try to create “successful cultures: Corporate leaders try to create “successful cultures: HP – Involvement (How did Hewlett and Packard create it?) HP – Involvement (How did Hewlett and Packard create it?) ITT – Fear (How did Geneen create it?) ITT – Fear (How did Geneen create it?) Body Shop– Caring (How did Roddick create it?) Body Shop– Caring (How did Roddick create it?) Yet, sometimes cultures emerge without leaders, especially subcultures Yet, sometimes cultures emerge without leaders, especially subcultures

8. How Do You Create Culture? Culture is created by: Culture is created by: History History Powerful people Powerful people Everyday People Everyday People Structure Structure Can You Create Culture? Can You Create Culture? Understand social context: Understand social context: The culture should incorporate norms, values of society The culture should incorporate norms, values of society Culture should build on existing rules of normative behavior. Culture should build on existing rules of normative behavior. Culture should establish a “shared reality.” Culture should establish a “shared reality.”

9. Strengths and Weaknesses of Culture 1) We examine commonly held “truths” (like rationality) 1) We examine commonly held “truths” (like rationality) 2) Successful organizations have successful cultures 2) Successful organizations have successful cultures 3) Managers can spend too much time creating “culture” and subsequently forget about people. 3) Managers can spend too much time creating “culture” and subsequently forget about people.

10. Which concepts are Imperative if you wish to apply Culture metaphor?