What Is Culture?
What is culture?
The system of passing down beliefs, customs, and behaviours that shape identity.
What is organizational culture?
Shared beliefs and values that influence how employees behave and interact.
What is one key function of organizational culture?
It provides a sense of identity.
What are the three levels of organizational culture according to Schein?
Artifacts, Values, and Basic Assumptions.
What are examples of elements of culture?
Habits, knowledge, and opinions.
Who defined organizational culture as a “pattern of shared basic assumptions”?
Edgar Schein (1985).
How does culture provide meaning for organizational events?
Employees interpret actions based on shared values, like “employee of the month.”
What are artifacts?
Visible signs like dress code, logos, and rituals.
How does culture shape identity?
It forms shared values and behaviours that define how people see themselves and others
What role does organizational culture play in communication?
It shapes how people express ideas, make decisions, and relate to leadership.
How does culture reinforce organizational values?
Through activities and traditions that reflect company principles.
What are values?
Beliefs and principles that guide decisions and actions.
How does culture differ between individuals and organizations?
Individual culture shapes personal values; organizational culture shapes company behaviour.
How does organizational culture act as a control system?
It informally guides conduct even without strict rules.
How does culture act as a control mechanism?
Employees regulate their own behaviour based on group expectations.
What are basic assumptions?
Deep, taken-for-granted beliefs that unconsciously guide behaviour.
Why is understanding culture important in business?
It helps build unity, motivation, and guides how employees work together.
Give an example of a company with a strong organizational culture.
Massy Group (Caribbean) — has a “customer-first” culture across all sectors.
How does culture influence motivation and collaboration?
It aligns personal goals with organizational purpose.
Give one example of each level.
Artifacts: open offices; Values: teamwork; Assumptions: “patient care comes first.”