The Symbolic frame

Question 1

Which are the three levels of the Schein model?

Answer 1

Artefacts:
Observable but meaningless

Values:
Partly conscious, can be asked about

Basic assumptions:
Taken for granted, invisible/unconscious

Question 2

What are the six basic assumptions of the symbolic frame?

Answer 2

1. The events themselves are not important:
   It is how they are perceived, conceived, interpreted in other words their meaning
2. Meaning and activity are loosely coupled:
   Events have multiple meanings because people experience things differently
3. Most of life is ambiguous or uncertain:
   What happened, why it happened, or what will happen next are all puzzles
4. (High levels of) ambiguity and uncertainty undercut rational analysis, problem solving and decision making
5. In the face of uncertainty and ambiguity, people create symbols to resolve confusion, increase predictability, create direction, and anchor hope and faith
6. Many events, processes and structures are more important for what is expressed than what is produced - legitimacy vs. efficiency

Question 3

What are five examples of symbols in organizations?

Answer 3

Artifacts

Myths

Stories

Ceremonies and rituals

Humor, jokes and having fun

Question 4

Which are the five group types defined by proportional representation?

Answer 4

Dominants
Majority
Potential subgroup
Minority
Tokens

Question 5

Which are the four tendencies of token perception

Answer 5

Attention
Polarization (exaggeration of differences)
Generalization (stereotyping)
Eclipsed performance

Question 6

Which are Kanter’s four informal

Answer 6

Mother
Seductress
Pet
Iron maiden

Question 7

Which are the two most important dimensions of culture?

Answer 7

Strength

Content

Question 8

There are two different definitions of culture, from two different perspectives

Answer 8

Something an organization HAS:
• “A variable that can be used to coordinate and control efficient production of goods and services”

Something an organization IS:
• Cultural symbols/expressions/artifacts
• Can be used to attract resources as a complement to, or instead of, producing goods and services
(link to Organizational hypocrisy)

Question 9

Vad är min slarviga definition av Institutional theory?

Answer 9

Typ: företag lånar kulturella attribut från andra organisationer för att bli mer attraktiva

Question 10

Name three factors affecting the STRENGTH of the culture

Answer 10

Direct control/influence
– 1st dimension of power from political frame

Bureaucratic control/influence
– Structural frame

Cultural control/influence
– Symbolic frame
(Substitute, complement, or counteraction to direct and bureaucratic control)