Organizational culture is established by the management team in the early stages of a company’s development and can evolve over time. Social culture is developed by employees themselves, while top managers shape the culture through their experiences and expectations. A mission statement can also help shape employee participation.
An organizational culture often emerges in the early stages of a company’s development. The management team involved in a company from the beginning has the opportunity to establish a culture, or set of standards, beliefs and acceptable behaviors. Subsequently, staff that may be hired may have the potential to promote behaviors desired by an employer. Of course, an organizational culture can evolve over time with new staffing and management regimes. A culture can take time to develop, but it is embodied through the consistent example and expectations presented by managers to staff.
Organizational culture develops across many different aspects of a company’s operations, including social behaviors. Social culture can involve how employees interact with each other throughout the workday. For example, there may be an acceptable common area for conversation on topics outside of work and a protocol for inviting employees to join an after-hours social gathering. This type of culture is largely developed by the employees themselves who establish and practice behaviors that are acceptable to each other. When new employees are hired, these individuals adjust to the standards already in place or informally attempt to introduce a different style.
In many ways, organizational culture is shaped by the experiences of a company’s leading members. Often top managers surround themselves with other key members of a team and rely on those individuals to perform in a way that supports desired beliefs and goals. This culture could be reflected in anything from having cubicles separating individual workspaces to office decor. For example, in one company, it may be acceptable to receive employee submissions for artwork or photographs to place on walls, while staff members may be less involved in these decisions in a different culture. The details of that culture may become apparent based on how often and in style senior management communicates with other staff members.
It is possible that organizational culture could develop in a highly practical way. Executives can communicate behavioral expectations in a formal statement that is adhered to throughout the organization. This statement, or mission statement, outlines a company’s broad themes, such as expansion through acquisition or the support of charities, all designed to help shape employee participation.
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