Final answer:
The key elements of an organizational culture include values, norms, and artifacts, but not employee compensation, which is a functional aspect of human resource management and is not a cultural element.
Step-by-step explanation:
Key Elements of Organizational Culture
The question asks about elements of an ethical organizational culture and which of the given options is not considered a key element. The established key elements of any organization's culture include values, norms, artifacts, and beliefs. These elements combine to shape the environment in which organizational behavior occurs and stakeholders evaluate it. Legal compliance, though critical for the functioning of an organization, is not categorized as an element of culture but rather as a structural and operational requirement. On the other hand, employee compensation does not represent a cultural element; it is a functional aspect related to the management of human resources. Thus, employee compensation would be the correct answer, as it is not a key element of organizational culture.
Cultural norms, values, and beliefs are vital components that affect how individuals within an organization interact and make decisions. Artifacts, such as symbols and language, are tangible expressions of a culture's underlying values and assumptions. Together, these aspects contribute to the formation of the organizational culture, impacting everyone within the organization. Recognizing the difference between these cultural elements and structural components such as compensation policies is essential in understanding organizational dynamics.