Organizational Theory – Part 3

Communication and Culture

Chapter 6 Discussion/Recap

Organizational Culture

Relationship between communication, individuals, and social context

Common frame of reference; language, values, beliefs, interpretations, customs, folkways, communication, rituals, celebrations, myths, etc. (p. 128)

Controlled by managers? Employees? Both?

Cultures as websConfining, mobilizing, struggles over meaning

A contested reality

Subcultures; organization as interconnected webs

Imagine classroom as organizationCulture?

Subcultures?

Who created it?

Dr. G’s Experience; Org. Culture

CVHS

CVCHC

Dental

Nursing

Doctors

X-ray

Front Desk and Medical Records

Birthday parties, gossip,

loyalty

Younger Employees

Hanging outside of

work, gossiping,

loyalty

SAFP

WHC

AFP

Perspectives: T. I. C.

TraditionalistChange organization’s culture to make organization more effective

Strong culture = members understand and works towards same goals

Managerial controlResults always negative to employee? (e.g. daycare, social activities, appreciation dinners)

InterpretivistDescribe organization’s culture; based on members’ meanings

Shared meaning

Culture emerges from interactions

Critical-InterpretivistMeaning generated by organization's members

Uncover oppression and sites of power struggle; sometimes unknown to employees

Paths to empowerment

Merging Perspectives Improves accuracy

Results from one used o guide the other

Holistic approach

Willingness and likelihood? Depends on focus and views

ApproachesReveal meanings and interpretations of org. life

Looks at how culture is created, transmitted, and changed via communication

Interpretivists and critical-interpretivist most common

ApproachesLanguage and Worldview (Sapir-Whorf hypothesis)

Knowledge Structures (schema)

Consensual and Contested Meanings (countercultures—consider power—example in text of tenured professors)

Multiple cultures perspectives (subcultures; depends on size)

Metaphors

Narratives

Rites and Ceremonies

Reflexive Comments (plan, commentary, account)

Fantasy Themes

Ben & Jerry’sP. 153-154

Their culture?

“…any newly acquired company will retain its consumer base only if it retains its reputation. What do you think? Will Ben & Jerry’s be able to sustain their unique corporate culture? What will need to be done to sustain this culture? What will the major challenges be to sustaining the culture?” (p. 155)