An Essay Defining Corporate Culture in a Business

ONE FOR ALL, NOT ALL FOR ONE

Word count: 1300

In response to the case study of Pasha’s Fashions Inc, this essay will attempt to define the companies’ corporate culture and how the change of ownership has affected this. The theme of the essay is that Alice should change to suit the company, and not have the company change to suit Alice. The issues of organisational citizenship, productivity, absenteeism, job satisfaction and turnover will be discussed, and how these issues have changed or will change under the new ownership. Through the research of theories and accepted studies a comparison will be drawn between the performance indicators of the company under each owner to illustrate the affect on the corporate culture at Pasha’s Fashions Inc. Furthermore, a recommendation will be made on a more effective way in which Alice should have approached the changes she believed were necessary.

Corporate culture otherwise known as organisational culture is referred to as ‘... a system of shared meaning held by members that distinguishes the organisation from other organisations’ (Becker 1982; Schein 1985). Research suggests that there are seven primary characteristics that, in aggregate, capture the essence of an organisation’s culture. (O’Reilly, Chatman & Caldwell 1991; Chatman & Jehn 1994)

1. Innovation and risk taking: the degree to which employees are encouraged to be innovative and take risks.

2. Attention to detail: the degree to which employees are expected to exhibit precision, and analysis and attention to detail.

3. Outcome orientation: the degree to which management focuses on results or outcomes rather than on the techniques and processes used to achieve those outcomes.

4. People orientation: the degree to which management decisions take into consideration the effect of outcomes on people within the organisation.

5. Team orientation: the degree to which work activities are organised...