Organizational Culture Theory Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is an organizational culture? What does an organizational culture include?

Organizational culture is the essence of organizational life. It includes what we can see an organization doing and what we also don't see as well.

Explain the cultural metaphor used by OCT theorists to explain culture.

Organizational culture indicates what constitutes the legitimate realm of inquiry. People are suspended in webs of significance and they construct the culture based on their interactions.

Discuss how the web analogy is relevant to our understanding of organization.

The web is spun by various individuals within the organization. Communication constructs culture and the web is the residue of this communication process.

List the assumptions of the cultural approach theory.

<ol> <li>Organizational members create and maintain a shared sense of organizational reality. 2. Interpretation of symbols is critical to culture. 3. Cultures vary across organizations and interpretations differ.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

How do members of an organization communicate their values?

Members communicate their values by telling stories and sharing traditions. Signup and view all the answers

List and explain the different symbols of an organization: the physical, behavioral, and verbal.

An example is Disney, where individuals dress up as characters to create a family fun environment. Signup and view all the answers

Why are corporate stories, personal stories, and collegial stories important to an ethnographer studying an organizational culture?

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What is ethnography?

Ethnography is a qualitative methodology that uncovers and interprets artifacts, stories, rituals, and practices to reveal meaning in a culture. Signup and view all the answers

What would you rely on to conduct an ethnographic study of an organization?

Ethnographic studies provide insight by incorporating the members' point of view. Signup and view all the answers

What is performance? What is a ritual performance?

A performance is a metaphor suggesting that organizational life is like a theatrical presentation. A ritual performance is regular and recurring presentations in the workplace. Signup and view all the answers

Using an example, explain personal rituals, task rituals, social rituals, and organizational rituals.

Personal rituals are daily routines; task rituals are job-associated routines; social rituals involve relationships; organizational rituals pertain to the organization overall. Signup and view all the answers

Using an example of an organization, discuss passion performance, social performance, political performance, and enculturation performances.

Passion performances are stories shared; social performances demonstrate cooperation; political performances show power; enculturation performances help discover membership meaning. Signup and view all the answers

What is the weakness/strength of OCT?

A strength is the information provided by ethnographies, while weaknesses include logical inconsistencies. Signup and view all the answers

Is OCT a grand/middle range, empirical/interpretive theory? Why?

OCT is a middle range theory and interpretive because it does not encompass all communication and provides interpretation of specific communications. Signup and view all the answers

Is OCT an intra/interpersonal communication theory? Organization theory? Small group communication theory?

OCT is an organizational theory. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Organizational Culture Overview

Organizational culture encompasses visible behaviors and underlying beliefs within a company.
It defines the essence of organizational life, shaping how members interact and interpret their environment.

Cultural Metaphor in OCT

Culture is viewed as a web of significance constructed by individuals within the organization.
Represents the legitimate domain of inquiry where culture is fundamental to understanding organizational dynamics.

Web Analogy

The web is actively created by individuals through communication, forming a framework that makes sense of their experiences.
It serves as a residue of the communication processes that shape culture.

Assumptions of Cultural Approach Theory

Organizational members forge a shared understanding of reality, enhancing comprehension of values.
Symbol interpretation plays a critical role in defining culture.
Cultural diversity exists, leading to varied interpretations of actions across organizations.

Communication of Values

Values are expressed through stories and traditions shared among organizational members, reinforcing cultural identity.

Symbols in Organizational Culture

Physical symbols: Disney characters at theme parks symbolize a family-friendly environment.
Behavioral symbols: Employee conduct aligns with the organization’s upbeat image.
Verbal symbols: Language and narratives that reflect the organization's ethos.

Importance of Stories in Ethnography

Corporate, personal, and collegial stories provide insight into the organization’s culture and dynamics, enhancing understanding.

Ethnography Defined

A qualitative method that explores cultural meanings through artifacts, stories, rituals, and practices.

Conducting Ethnographic Studies

Insight gained through ethnography stems from participating in and observing members' experiences and perspectives.

Performance and Rituals

Organizational life likened to a theatrical performance where roles and rituals are enacted regularly.
Ritual performances are routine actions that reinforce culture in the workplace.

Types of Rituals

Personal rituals: Daily routines specific to an individual.
Task rituals: Activities related to specific job functions.
Social rituals: Engagements that foster relationships among colleagues.
Organizational rituals: Practices that reflect the organization's collective identity.

Performance Categories

Passion performances involve sharing stories that express enthusiasm.
Social performances highlight cooperative and courteous interactions.
Political performances demonstrate power dynamics within the organization.
Enculturation performances help new members understand organizational values and norms.

Strengths and Weaknesses of OCT

Strength: Ethnographic research provides deep insights into organizational culture.
Weakness: Logical inconsistencies may challenge the validity of interpretations.

Nature of OCT

Classified as a middle-range theory due to its focus on specific aspects of communication rather than a comprehensive overview.
Interpretive in nature, recognizing subjective interpretations of communication.

Type of Communication Theory

OCT is characterized as an organizational theory, focusing on the complex dynamics within organizational structures.

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Description

Test your understanding of organizational culture with these flashcards. Explore key concepts and theories related to the essence of organizational life and cultural metaphors used by theorists. This quiz is perfect for those studying organizational behavior.