Organizational Culture

Question 1

Five dimensions of National Culture (Hofstede, 1993)

Answer 1

Power distance: acceptance of unequal distribution of power

Uncertainty avoidance: tolerance of ambiguity and uncertainty

Individualism: individuals or closely knit social structures are basis of social system.

Masculinity: assertiveness, independence, competitiveness.

Long-term orientation: extent of focus on future vs. past and present

Question 2

Levels of organizational culture (Schein, 1992)

Answer 2

1. OBSERVABLE ARTIFACTS
   dress code, stories and rituals, annual reports
2. ESPOUSED VALUES AND BELIEFS
   Norms, goals, ideologies
3. UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS
   Unconscious, taken-for-granted perceptions, beliefs, thoughts and emotions

Question 3

Schein conceptualizes underlying assumptions as —–. An important implications of this perspective is that a strong organizational culture can impede cultural and other types of change.

Answer 3

Cognitive defense mechanisms

Question 4

—- refers to the extent to which the values held by specific individuals match those of the organization’s culture

Answer 4

Person-Organization (P-O) Fit

Question 5

P-O fit is achieved primarily through —- and socialization processes

Answer 5

Selection