Matching the Columns
1. Values |
A. The goals, views and philosophies that members of the organization share. |
|
2. Rites and rituals |
B. The way the organization operates – how we are supposed to behave in the organization. |
|
3. Cultural messages |
C. These are the people others look up because they personify goals, dedication and achievement. |
|
4. Norms |
D. These include all levels and types of communication, formal and informal. |
|
5. Heroes |
E. Celebrations, performances and activities that foster and reinforce teamwork and a sense of inclusion. |
|
6. Climate |
F. The atmosphere of either supportiveness and defensiveness that people feel within the organization itself. |
Answers:
1.) A
2.) E
3.) D
4.) B
5.) C
6.) F
Multiple-Choice
1. An organization’s
culture is composed of
a. The
project/programme purpose environment
b. Values
c.
Communication networks
d. All of
the above
2.
______ _______ is comprised of shared values, customs, traditions, rituals, behaviors and
beliefs shared by a social group.
a.
Organizational culture
b. Societal culture
c. Environmental culture
d. All of the above
3. Learning a organizational
culture is a process of ______ and _______.
a. Patience; know-how
b. Watchfulness; imitation
c. Enculturation; acculturation
d. None of the above
4.
A _______ culture is a system of rules that spells out how people are to behave most of
the time.
a. Weak
b.
Strong
c. Societal
d. Organizational
5. The cultural network can
be divided into
a. Communication networks
b. Cultural messages
c.
Both of the above
d. None of the above
6.
Every organization exists in a specific
and particular project/programme purpose environment or marketplace.
a. Rites and rituals
b.
The project/programme purpose environment
c. Communication networks
d. Norms
7. Communication climate in
any organization is composed of
a. Supportiveness
b. Participative Decision Making
c. Trust
d.
All of the above
8. A _______ has its own
language.
a. Nation
b. Organization
c.
Both of the above
d. None of the above
Summary
Organizational culture is the shared values, customs,
traditions, rituals, behaviors, and beliefs shared in common by the members of that
organization. Just as a nation generally has its own language or dialect, so too
does an organization have its own language; that language consists of the jargon and ways
of speaking that are particular to the people who work there.
The elements of organizational culture include:
· The project/programme purpose Environment
· Values
· Heroes
· Rites and Rituals
· The Cultural Network
|
Test
1. ______
Openness refers to the candid disclosure of
information particularly negative information and the sharing of feelings and opinions
regarding the organization and its activities.
2. ______
You can create a positive organizational and
communication climate through an emphasis on high quality goals.
3. ______
The organizational history and other stories embody
the organizational culture and emphasize what the organization values.
4. ______
Values are the way the organization operates.
5. ______
Titles are fundamental aspects of cultural
messages in organizations.
6. ______
The project/programme purpose environment are informal channels
that relay both work and social messages.
7. ______
Values should be understood and shared by all
people who work for the organization.
8. ______
Strong cultures do not foster employee
motivation because employees have difficulty understanding what is expected of them.
9. ______
A strong organizational culture provides
organizational identity, a sense of uniqueness, and a sense of connection for all members
within the organization.
10.______ A
organization’s culture ends after working hours.
Answers:
1.
T
2.
T
3.
T
4.
F – Norms
5.
T
6.
F – Communication
Networks
7.
T
8.
F – Do foster
employee motivation because employees are better able to understand
9.
T
10. F
– Does not end
Bibliography
Frost, P. (1985). Organizational culture.
Haschak, P. (1998). organizational statements: The official missions, goals,
principles and philosophies of over 900 organizations.
Schneider, B. (Ed.) (1990). Organizational climate and culture.
Glossary
Societal culture – Comprised of the shared values, customs, traditions, rituals, behaviors and beliefs shared by a social group (national, ethnic, organizational, etc.)
Organizational culture – The shared values, customs, traditions, rituals, behaviors, and beliefs shared in common by the members of that organization.
Values – The goals, views, and philosophies that members of the organization share.
Climate – The atmosphere of either supportiveness or defensiveness that people feel within the organization itself.
Learning Objectives
Q&A
1. What is an organization’s culture composed of?
An organization’s culture is composed of the project/programme purpose environment, values, heroes, rites and rituals, communication networks, cultural messages, norms, stories, myths, legends, and climate.
2. What is a strong organizational culture, and what can it do for an
organization, and what are its characteristics?
A strong culture is a system of rules that spells out how people are to behave most of the time. A strong culture fosters better employee motivation and enables people to feel better about what they do, so they are more likely to work harder. Strong cultures have three characteristics in common: the organization stands for something, management focuses a great deal of attention to determining and fine-tuning these values, and values are understood and shared by all people who work for the organization.
3. Communication climate in an organization is composed of what five
components?
A positive organizational and communication climate is composed of supportiveness, participative decision making, trust, openness, and an emphasis on high quality goals.