Synthesizing what you have learned throughout this chapter and others, what do we mean when we say that an organization has its own culture? How is this culture different from and similar to the notion of culture as it has been discussed in other chapters of the book?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer is Ideal answers will define organizational culture as an organization's unique set of beliefs, values, norms, and ways of doing things. This definition mirrors the definition of culture used elsewhere in the chapter. Members of an organizational culture, just like any other culture, will experience that culture as if it is natural, although it is something that has been developed through patterns of interaction over time. Strong answers will emphasize that cultures create their own language (as does an organization) and that they use language to build on that cultural context. Students may focus on organizational culture as being another cultural context to consider when choosing effective and appropriate communication behaviors or may liken organizational culture to the idea of a co-culture. Ideally, students should be exercising critical thinking and connecting ideas and definitions rather than stating specific similarities and differences.

Synthesizing What You Have Learned Throughout This Chapter and Others