How does an organisations culture develop and what can managers do to influence it?

1.Executive summary

In this paper I look at how organisations develop 'culture' and how this culture can be created, manipulated and changed my management. I also look at what other factors can change and affect a companies' culture. The paper will take the following format. A definition of culture and the problems associated with its definition. I then look at how organisationl culture develops, with an explanation of the levels of cultural analysis, a look at the various different types of culture, and the role of the leader/manager in creating the organisations culture. How culture can be changed and the skills and actions needed by management to successfully implement a cultural change. I then finish with a conclusion.

2.Defining organisational culture

What is organisational culture? This it has been found, is not an easy question to answer. The concept of culture has its roots in anthropology, the study of human affairs.

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In this context, culture has been used to designate two different things. A tribe or a social group is studied as a 'culture' that produces and may have cultural artefacts. The second use of the term refers to aspects within a given culture, such as customs, rituals, knowledge and so on. (Sackman, S, 1991). In the context of organisational culture it is largely the second approach that is studied. Although people may not be aware consciously of culture, it still has a persuasive influence over their behaviour and actions. (Mullins, L, 2002). This statement explains that although we may not have the knowledge that we belong to a certain cultural group it will still have an impact on our behaviour and in an organisational sense, our working lives.

The culture concept began to affect organisational thinking in the late 1970's and early 1980's. Although is it evident...