Chapter Five: Cultural Approaches
Ethnography
A research technique with the goal of representing a detailed depiction of a culture
Schein's Definition of Culture
A group phenomenon in which the group shares basic assumptions that developed over time and members are socialized to
'Strong' Cultures
Deal and Kennedy's recommendations for an effective culture include having clearly communicated organizational values, identified organizational heroes, organizational rites and rituals, and a cultural network to communicate this information
Cultural Artifacts and Behaviors
First level of Schein's model. -The physical and social environment that organizational members have created
Organizational Subcultures
Organizations are characterized by a multitude of subcultures that can be harmonious, in conflict, or indifferent to each other
'Excellent' Cultures
Peters and Waterman identified these cultural characteristics of successful organizations: -a bias for action -close relations for the customer -autonomy and entrepreneurship -productivity through people -hands-on and value-driven -stick to the knitting -simple form and lean staff -simultaneous loose-tight properties
Cultural Performances
The communication processes through which culture is created. They are interactional,contextual, episodic, and improvisational
Cultural Values
Second Level of Schein's Model - they represent preferences of what should happen
Cultural Tales
Stories about an organization's culture. Includes realist tales, impressionist tales, and critical tales
Markers of Organizational Culture
These include such things as rites, ceremonies, values, belief systems, metaphors, stories, communication rules, and hallway talk
Cultural Assumptions
Third Level of Schein's model. -represents 'core' beliefs about how the world and how it operates
Prescriptive View of Culture
This view looks at organizational culture as something an organization has. Having the 'right' culture can make or break an organization
Descriptive View of Culture
This view looks at organizational culture as something an organization is
High Reliability Cultures
these cultures are part of organizations that produce products or services such that if something major goes wrong, the organization and/or the larger public could be destroyed. these cultures must focus on error-free behavior