Question

Post the vision statement for your company or a company that you know well and provide an analysis of the vision statement and organization’s culture by answering the following questions:

What is the culture of the organization?

How would you describe the culture using terms from organizational development language?

Is there a relationship between the vision of your company and its organizational culture? Why or why not?

Answer 1

The vision statement of Southwest airlines is to become world’s most loved, most flown and most profitable airline.

The artifacts of Southwest Airlines’ culture are as follows:

• Personal enactment: The CEO of the company personally recognizes the employees who are performing well and congratulates their efforts through videos
• Rites and ceremonies: Southwest airlines always goes by the priority – employees first, customers second and last comes the shareholders
• Stories: The vision of this company is to become world’s most loved, most flown and most profitable airline. This vision has been clearly translated in their culture and business strategy. They have been in the most admired company list for maximum times
• Rituals: Southwest culture is all about recognizing and appreciating the good work of employees. All employees take time to appreciate each other. There are many events and rewards dedicated to this and followed religiously.
• Symbols: Logo of Southwest Airlines – the heart

The values embedded in Southwest Airlines’ culture are as follows:

• Live the Southwest way: Have a warrior spirit, a servant’s heart and a fun-loving attitude
• Work the Southwest way: Work safely, Wow the customers and aim at keeping costs low

There is a clear relationship between the vision statement and the organization culture of Southwest Airlines. . For sustenance of niche strategy and vision statement, it must be supported by the culture and value system of the organization. In case of Southwest airlines, the low-cost, no-frills niche strategy and the vision to become the most loved, most flown and most profitable airline is supported by the culture of putting employees first, which in turn prioritizes the needs of the consumers. The niche strategy has been woven in the purpose as well, that drives the organization i.e. to connect people with their loved ones through Friendly, low-cost, reliable air travel. Also, the Southwest Airlines has always been very flexible and adaptable. They mould their operations based on the market trends, keeping their vision and purpose in focus of all operations.