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