Question

Describe the dimensions of an organization’s culture.

Define organizational culture and give an example of how it can affect job satisfaction and performance.

Answer 1

Organizational culture is a set of beliefs, assumptions, values and different ways of interacting that make up social and psychological environment of an organization. It is basically a way in which different employees interact with each other.

Major dimensions of an organization's culture:

1. Innovation: When organizations give employees the time to work and think on their own, it leads to better results overall for an organization. Organizations that are more employee-centric tend to be more successful in the long run.

2. Detail-oriented: Companies that are more detail-oriented tend to deliver highly in the market as opposed to easy going not too attentive organizations.

3. Goal-oriented: Some organizations place importance on how works get done that is, the means-oriented ones whereas there are organizations that are totally goal-oriented and focus on the results. Goal-oriented organizations are more effective.

4. Strict work discipline: Some organizations prefer an easy-going attitude to work as well. But when it comes to discipline, organizations with strict work culture and discipline are more successful.

5. Open or closed system: Some organizations are open to newcomers while others prefer well-experienced professionals in their respective fields.

Job satisfaction and performance (both individual and group) get affected due to these dimensions. An individual will be more satisfied in a set up where employees are heard and listened to instead of just being told what to do, if he's given a chance to think, he might come up with some innovative ideas as well. Taking the example of startups, they are usually more employee friends and give greater responsibility to the employees which lead to employees being satisfied from learning front. But might not be satisfied in other aspects like salary, work-life balance. on the other hand, in an MNC, employees usually don't get an opportunity to give ideas which might hinder their professional growth but could be great in terms of salary.