Learning Objectives
     After studying this chapter, you should be able to:
     1. Describe the common characteristics of organizational culture.
     2. Compare the functional and dysfunctional effects of 
         organizational culture on people and the organization.
     3. Identify the factors that create and sustain an organization’s 
         culture.
     4. Show how culture is transmitted to employees.
     5. Demonstrate how an ethical culture can be created.
     6. Describe a positive organizational culture.
     7. Identify characteristics of a spiritual culture.
     8. Show how national culture can affect the way organizational 
         culture is transported to another country.
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   LO 1     Describe the Common 
            Characteristics of Organizational 
            Culture
      • A Definition of Organizational Culture
         • Organizational culture refers to a system of shared meaning 
          held by members that distinguishes the organization from 
          other organizations. 
       
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   LO 1     Describe the Common 
            Characteristics of Organizational 
            Culture
         • Seven primary characteristics that capture the essence of an 
           organization’s culture:
             1.   Innovation and risk taking 
             2.   Attention to detail 
             3.   Outcome orientation 
             4.   People orientation 
             5.   Team orientation 
             6.   Aggressiveness 
             7.   Stability 
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   LO 1     Describe the Common 
            Characteristics of Organizational 
            Culture
      • Some research has conceptualized culture into four different 
        types based on competing values: 
          1.  The collaborative and cohesive clan. 
          2.  The innovative and adaptable adhocracy. 
          3.  The controlled and consistent hierarchy.
          4.  The competitive and customer focused market. 
                                                                              16-5
   LO 1     Describe the Common 
            Characteristics of Organizational 
            Culture
         • Culture as a Descriptive Term
            • Organizational culture is concerned with employees’ 
              perceptions of the characteristics of the culture, not 
              whether they like them. 
                • Does it encourage teamwork? 
                • Does it reward innovation? 
                • Does it stifle initiative? 
            • It differs from job satisfaction :
                • Job satisfaction is evaluative. 
                • Organizational culture is descriptive. 
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