Final answer:
Organizational culture is comprised of the shared values, beliefs, and practices that characterize an organization, which include espoused values and the actual values embodied by the members. Different departments within an organization may have their own subcultures. Values are dynamic and can vary greatly between cultures and over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of shared values and organizational culture pertains to organization's culture, which is defined by shared values, beliefs, and practices of the group that make up the organization. These can include the organization's vision, norms, interactions among employees, and the decisions making processes within the firm. An important distinction is made between espoused values or the official stated values of the organization, versus the values in practice, which are reflected in the everyday behavior of the organization's members.
Subculture within an organization can also exist in different departments, reflecting variations in a larger organizational culture. The industry context of the organization might play a significant role in shaping these cultures and subcultures. Sociologists study these cultural frameworks and the context in which certain behaviors are expected.
It is important to recognize that values and culture are dynamic; they can differ across time and social groups, as well as from one culture to another. This dynamic nature of values is evident in how certain behaviours might be seen as appropriate in one culture but not in another. Equally, there’s often a discrepancy between the ideal culture—a set of values that society aspires to achieve—and the real culture—the way society actually operates and behaves.