In: Operations Management
Two of the most central lessons of organizational culture are that (1) different companies have very different cultures and subcultures, and (2) the fit between a person and the culture is a critical factor in determining job success and satisfaction. With that in mind, assume you have just received two job offers and both firms have offered the same pay, same job description, and same geographic location. So your hope is to begin to sort out which of those firms would be the best fit for you.
(a) What types of culture differences are most important to you in an organization?
(b) What questions would you ask to determine this and why (tie to chapter concepts)?
(c) What would be the sources of information (systems, rituals, traditions, values) you would seek to help determine the nature of each culture, and your potential fit? (It may help if you think about your own organization if you are working, or research a well known company, and then give an example.)
Answer a= The main elements of the cultural differences which include the liberty and freedom in the work, communication barriers if any, centralization or decentralization in decision making, employee's participation in the management, career advancement opportunities
Answer b= the main questions that can be asked are as below=
What kind of career advancement opportunities are provided in the organization?
Can an employee take part in decision making?
Is there any career advancement program for the employee?
Who takes the major decision in the organization along with the daily organizational decision?
Answer c= I would look at the organization's values, and the system that is being followed in the firm over the period of time. This will indicate what type of culture is prevailing in the organization. I can also judge the values of the organization and whether it is matching with my own personal values or not.