Organizational Behavior Analysis

Organizational Culture Analysis

Valery Taylor

BUS610

Prof. Magdy Hussein

October 13, 2014

Organizational Culture Analysis

Every organization has a different culture and that culture can help shape how an organization functions and has the potential to set it apart from its competition. The culture is unique to all companies and has been set by the founders of each organization. For four years, I have worked for IBM (International Business Machines) as a client representative. Research shows, IBM is one of the largest computer companies and system integrators in the world. The company takes great pride in their customer focus and technology industry, which include software, services, and hardware (Taft, 2011). Employees are very proud of the distinct culture at IBM Corporation. In this paper, I will examine three levels to culture: observable artifacts, espoused values, and enacted values. Each level plays a different role in shaping the organization.

According to our textbook, “observable artifacts include the physical signs of an organization's dominant culture” (Baack, 2012, p.2.1). Observable artifacts are the outwardly visible signs of an organization. Observable artifacts are seen by the employees of an organization, and by outsiders. IBM has a few observable artifacts: such as symbols, organizational stories and legends, and ceremonies.

Many recognize IBM Company’s’ logo. IBM’s logo represents confidence, superiority and uniqueness for the products in their possession. In addition, the logo plays a crucial role in promoting the organization in the technology market. IBM has many stories and legends that shape the organization’s culture. One story was told many years ago about a security guard that stopped the CEO of IBM, Thomas Watson Jr., as he was about to enter a IBM location without his identification badge. Watson explained to the security guard who he was, but the guard told him that a badge is required in secure areas of the...