Determinants of culture

Determinants of culture
See also
Strategic information system Management by culture Corporate culture Management by values Organizational innovation Internal marketing Bureaucratic organization Innovation and change Process owner

Determinants of culture in organizations include several areas: technology, organizational structure, ethical norms, beliefs and attitudes and behaviour of people. Within the system of symbols, corporate culture is a kind of language, identity of the company, dress code for employees, interior design, specific activities or its trademark.

Organizational structure as a determinant of culture

• human resources
• training, guidance, mentoring and support
• external and internal environment
• type of organizational structure
• role of leader and management style
• decision making procedures
• qualifications of leaders
• specialization
• centralization vs decentralization
• strategy
• flexibility and adaptation
• recruitment of people
• motivational system
• procedures, regulations
• supervision, working conditions
• responsibilities

Ethical norms and beliefs determining organizational culture

• company's vision and mission statement
• legal environment
• value patterns
• flexibility of beliefs
• tolerance of differences
• tolerance of mistakes
• compliance with the organization's strategy
• cooperation
• thought patterns
• integration and sense of belonging
• empowerment
• ethical market competition
• dress code, language, symbols

Attitudes and behaviours

• subconscious and automatic reactions to problems
• techniques used for stimulating behaviour
• attitudes towards objectives of the company
• attitudes toward risk taking
• attitude towards change
• adopting approved cultural patterns
• relationship between employees
• aspirations of individual employees
• uncertainty avoidance
• attitudes toward competition
• awareness of importance and role in organization

Technological determinants of culture

• information systems
• open communication system, networking and social media
• IT technology
• technological environment
• core competencies
• IT skills, knowledge and experience
• knowledge management
• creativity
• innovation and R&D
• new product and service development
• quick response to changing customer needs
• quality management

References

• Hofstede, G., Neuijen, B., Ohayv, D. D., & Sanders, G. (1990). Measuring organizational cultures: A qualitative and quantitative study across twenty cases. Administrative science quarterly, 286-316.
• Hofstede, G. (1993). Cultural constraints in management theories. The Academy of Management Executive, 7(1), 81-94.
• Schein, E. H. (1988). Organizational culture.
• Willcoxson, L., & Millett, B. (2000). The management of organisational culture. Australian Journal of Management and Organisational Behaviour, 3(2), 91-99.

Author: Krzysztof Wozniak