Question

The unique way that an organization's employees interact with each other and with customers; the personality of a company, including environment, mission, values, ethics, expectations and goals.

Answer 1

Organizational culture describes the unique interaction and personality of a company, affecting and being affected by the behaviors, values, and beliefs of its employees. It includes observable artifacts, espoused values, and basic assumptions that together create the professional environment and influence job success and satisfaction. Understanding the multifaceted nature of workplace culture is crucial for personal career development and adjustment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term organizational culture encompasses the unique way an organization’s employees interact among themselves as well as with customers, defining the personality of a company. This culture includes the environment, mission, values, ethics, expectations, goals, and the entire dynamic of the workplace. Organizational culture has a profound influence on employee behavior, shaping their understanding of employer expectations and thereby contributing to work success. Understanding and adapting to a workplace culture is key, even if it may not always be an optimal ‘fit’ for one's personal values or working styles.

Within an organization, culture is composed of three layers as per Ostroff, Kinicki, and Tamkins (2003): observable artifacts such as symbols and language, espoused values which are the expressed beliefs of the management, and basic assumptions, which are often unobservable and unquestioned. The culture of a workplace can also be influenced by larger societal culture and has implications for how personalities and relationships are shaped within the professional setting.

Understanding the workplace culture is not only about fitting in but also involves knowing professional expectations such as how to dress, communicate, manage conflicts, and maintain a balance between work-life demands. It forms part of the broader social context where sociologists examine behavior patterns within shared cultural norms. To thrive in a career, grasping the nuances of one's organizational culture, including the management's personality and approach, becomes essential.