The culture of an organization
How does the culture of an organization come about, and how do ethics and values shape the culture of an organization? Is it possible to change the culture of an organization over time? If so, how?
Sample Solution
The culture of an organization is the shared values and beliefs that guide the behaviors of its members and shape how they interact with each other (Cherunilam, 2019). It can be influenced by various factors such as leadership style, organizational structure and external environment. Furthermore, ethics and values play a critical role in determining the culture of an organization as it provides guidelines for employees to follow when making decisions or interacting with others. By adhering to these standards organizations create environments where individuals feel respected and empowered which ultimately leads to increased productivity.
Organizational culture develops through various means such as hiring practices, reward systems or mission statements (Morrison & Robinson, 2016). For example, if one focuses on recruiting people who share similar values then this will help build a strong foundation from which successful collaborations can arise. Similarly setting up incentives or rewards for those who exemplify positive behavior reinforces these desired traits within your staff base.
At an ethical level, establishing clear codes of conduct helps ensure everyone is aware of what’s expected from them (Davies & Worley 2004). These are important because they provide guidance on how team members should act during work hours – for instance – avoiding inappropriate language or treating colleagues fairly regardless their gender/ethnicity etc. Additionally having leaders model appropriate behavior also helps set the standard for others to emulate.
In conclusion, understanding how organizational cultures come about as well as realizing how ethics and values shape this process is key towards creating a thriving work environment. By taking steps like recruiting people with similar beliefs, developing reward systems based on desirable behaviors and establishing clear codes of conduct companies increase their chances of success while allowing employees to feel valued at the same time.
