Section 2

Introduction to
Organizational Behavior
ORGANIZATION AND INDIVIDUALS
AND THEIR ROLES (Culture definitions)

Culture is the conventional behaviour of an organization

that encompasses beliefs, customs, knowledge, and
practices.
❖People depend on culture as it gives them stability,
security, understanding, and the ability to respond to a
given situation.
Organization’s Culture as consisting of the values, beliefs
and norms which influence the behaviour of people.
❖Research has demonstrated that culture is one of the key
factors that contribute to organizational success over the
long-term.
Functions of Organizational Culture

Functions of Organizational Culture

I. Culture provides a sense of identity to members and

increases their commitment to the organization
II. Culture is a sense-making device for organization members
III. Culture reinforces the values of the organization
IV. Culture serves as a control mechanism for shaping Behaviour
Characteristics of culture

Characteristic of culture are:

Adaptive: Culture is based on the human capacity to change or adapt.

Learned : It is not inherited, it is acquired by learning and experience

Shared: Society share culture, it is not specific individual.

Symbolic: Culture is based on the human capacity to symbolic

Tran generational: Culture is passed on from one generation to the next.
IMPORTANCE OF ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

Organizational cultures are important to a firm success for

several reasons:
✓ They give an organizational identity to employees –a defining
vision of what the organization represents.
✓ An important source of stability and continuity to the
organization, which provides a sense of security to its
members.
✓ Organizational culture helps newer employees interpret what
goes on inside the organization.
✓ Cultures help stimulate employee enthusiasm for their tasks.
✓ Cultures attract attention, convey a vision and typically
honor high producing and creative individuals as heroes.
CHARACTERISTICS OF ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

1. Innovation (Risk Orientation)

2. Attention to Detail (Precision Orientation)
3. Emphasis on Outcome (Achievement Orientation)
4. Emphasis on People (Fairness Orientation)
5. Teamwork (Collaboration Orientation)
6. Aggressiveness (Competitive Orientation)
7. Stability (Rule Orientation)
DIMENSIONS OF SOCIETAL CULTURE

1 Power-distributed/ power concentrated.

2 Group-oriented/ self-oriented.
3 Consideration/ aggression.
4 Proactivism/ fatalism.
5 Generative/ replicative.
6 Limited relationship/ holistic relationship.
7 Male influence/ female influences.