Culture is a set of beliefs or standards, shared by a group of people, which help the individual decide what is, what

can be, how to feel, what to do and how to go about doing it

Language Nationality Sex Education Profession Ethnic group Religion Social class Corporate culture Family

Organizational culture is the collective behavior of people that are part of an organization, it is also formed by the organization values, visions, norms, working language, systems, and symbols, it includes beliefs and habits. It is also the pattern of such collective behaviors and assumptions that are taught to new organizational members as a way of perceiving, and even thinking and feeling. Organizational culture affect the way people and groups interact with each other, with clients, and with stakeholders.

MANAGING CULTURE

CULTURE MANAGEMENT FOCUSES ON:Identifying what the culture really is (versus what the company says or thinks it is) Determining what the culture should be to promote behavior consistent with the company's goals Developing a plan to take the company from where it is to where it needs to be with respect to its culture

The OCTAPACE profile is 40- item instrument that gives the profile of organization's ethos in eight values. These values are:OPENNESS CONFRONTATION TRUST AUTHENTICITY PROACTION AUTONOMY COLLABORATION EXPERIMENTATION

How is the Culture Management Process Conducted?

CULTURAL AUDIT
Step 1: Data Collection Management Systems uses a variety of techniques to collect information on a firm's culture and the systems, structures, and processes that support it. a) Interviews We conduct one-on-one interviews with selected employees to help identify the nature of the company's culture. We may also conduct small group sessions to collect information on the organization's current and "desired" cultures. b) Culture Survey Depending upon the company's needs, we may design and administer a customized culture survey to a large, representative sample of employees. c) Organizational Development Surveys We may also administer our proprietary Organizational Effectiveness Surveys to those we interview. These surveys help identify the extent to which the company is experiencing problems with respect to its systems, structure, and culture management process.

Data Analysis and Report

An experienced Management Systems team analyzes and synthesizes the data collected. We then prepare a report for the company that outlines: The elements of the firm's current "real" culture Gaps (if any) between the current culture and the culture that management desires for the organization The organizational systems, structures, and processes that are supporting the current culture and either reinforcing or obstructing the desired culture Recommendations designed to increase organizational effectiveness and improve management of the desired culture.

Presentation and Discussion of Findings

Culture workshops are designed to assist participants in: Understanding what culture is Developing an understanding of their firm's current culture Creating a statement of their firm's desired culture (i.e., what the culture should be to support the achievement of their goals) Beginning to develop action steps for managing their firm's culture more effectively This type of workshop may be conducted on a standalone basis, or may be incorporated as part of the culture audit process or as a final step in the culture management process.

Hofstedes framework for Assessing culture

Hofstedes studies the interactions between national cultures and organizational cultures demonstrated that there are national and regional cultural groupings that affect the behaviors of societies and organizations, and that are very persistent across time

Dimensions of Hofstedes framework of assessing culture:

Low and High Power Distance Individual and collectivism

Masculinity v/s Femininity

Uncertainty avoidance Long and short term orientation

1st Dimension of Culture:

Low vs High Power Distance: The extent to which the less powerful members of institutions and organizations expect and accept that power is distributed unequally. Low PD (Austria, Israel, Denmark, New Zealand) expect power relations which are more consultative or democratic. A sense of equality as human beings prevails High PD (Malaysia): autocratic and paternalistic structures. Power is centralized

2nd Dimension of culture:

Individualism vs. Collectivism: Refers to the extent to which people are expected to stand up for themselves and to chose their own affiliations, or alternatively act predominantly as a member of a life-long group or organization In individual societies: people tend to be motivated by personal preferences, needs and rights; personal goals and rational analysis take precedence In collectivist societies: people tend to be motivated by norms and duties imposed by the group; ingroup goals and relational analysis takes precedence

3rd Dimension of culture:

Masculinity vs. Femininity Refers to the value placed on traditionally male or female values Masculine cultures: competitiveness, assertiveness, ambition, personal achievement accumulation of wealth Feminine cultures: caring for others, nurturing roles, quality of life.

4th Dimension of Culture:

Uncertainty Avoidance: The extent to which members of a society attempt to cope with anxiety by minimizing uncertainty. High UA societies: avoidance of ambiguous situations, preference of known stable situations, uncertainty-reducing rules and procedures Low UA societies: ambiguity is more accepted.Uncertainty = opportunity. People as individualsare the engine of change

5th Dimension of culture:

Long vs. Short Term Orientation: Describes a societys time horizon, or the importance attached to the future versus the past and present LT societies: values include persistence, ordering relationships by status, thrift, having a sense of shame (China, Japan, Asian countries) ST societies: values include personal steadiness and stability, normative statements, protecting ones face, respect for traditions, and reciprocation of greetings, favors and gifts (Western nations)

WILL THERE BE ONE BIG WORLD CULTURE IN 50 YEARS FROM NOW??????