Final answer:
The claim that symbols are narratives based on true events frequently shared among organizational employees is false. In business, stories and symbols may convey values and norms without being based on actual events. They serve to communicate and reinforce a company's culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement presented in the question is false. Symbols are not necessarily narratives based on true events, but they are often used within organizations to convey values, beliefs, and cultural norms to employees. In organizational settings, stories and myths may be shared amongst employees, including with new hires, to embed institutional values and principles. These narratives don't need to be true to be effective; they function as a means of communicating the desired behaviors and attitudes within the company.
Myths, as discussed by LibreTexts, are often shared not for their factual accuracy but for the values they impart. They may or may not be true but are considered significant because they reflect and reinforce the culture of a group. In businesses, stories that take on the characteristics of myths can serve to unify and give meaning to organizational activities, much like origin stories provide a group with a sense of identity and purpose.
Essentially, symbols in an organization are part of the cultural aggregates that communicate complex ideas more simply and effectively. They're not limited to true events but include gestures, signs, language, and other forms of communication that carry shared meanings within a society or an organization.