COMM 300: Organizational Culture

From BluWiki

"The way we do things around here"

Edward's 3 levels of culture (VCI)

Artifacts

• Phyisical (objects)
  • Examples:
    • Flat packaging
    • Labyrinth store design
    • Clear labels
• Behavioral (deeds)
  • Examples
    • Shut off lights
    • Managers take buses instead of taxis
• Verbal (words)
  • Examples:
    • "we'll do our part in cutting costs, you do yours"
    • "Its just furniture, change it"

Values

Values are expressed every day in the company

Examples:

• Simplicity
• Informality
• Affordable
• Economical

Values change artifacts more easily than artifacts change values

Implied beliefs

Underlying beliefs held by firm.

Strong cultures

Agreement on what's valued and intensity on which values are held

Problems with culture:

• Silos in organization: intensity without agreement
• Week culture: may have agreement, but no intensity