This page introduces the T-Level Technical Qualification in Management and Administration (Level 3). It sets the context for the upcoming discussions on organisational culture and values, which are critical in shaping business practices.
The session aims to equip learners with specific competencies, such as:
Defining organisational culture and values.
Understanding the importance of these elements in organisations.
Analyzing their impacts on stakeholders.
Exploring the reasons for diverse organisational cultures.
Discussing strategies for organisational culture change and identifying barriers.
Reviewing methods to reinforce culture and values both internally and externally.
Definition: Organisational culture refers to the collective values, beliefs, and assumptions that dictate how individuals behave within an organisation. It includes expectations for behaviour, decision-making processes, and operational procedures.
Definition: Organisational core values are fundamental principles guiding the company's actions. They should:
Remain uncompromised.
Define success in clear terms.
Differentiate the business from competitors.
Set behavioural expectations for employees.
Organisational culture helps in establishing a unique identity within its sector, guiding employees on:
Who they are as part of the organisation.
The nature of their work.
Shared histories and narratives that define the organisation's past performance. A strong culture is recognized through consistent branding and deeply embedded practices.
Culture often originates from the values of owners and managers, influencing leadership and management styles:
Leadership styles influence decision-making and cultural expressions.
There is no universally ideal culture; it is context-dependent.
Cultural aspects emerge from operational priorities:
Regular routines define operational behaviours.
Policies and procedures elucidate formal actions and expected behaviours. Various factors contribute to a unique cultural landscape in each business.
Regular routines shape the cultural identity:
Differences in management visibility can reflect cultural health.
The tone for expected behaviours is set by everyday practices.
Policies outline formal controls within the organisation:
They dictate strict adherence to procedure and limit autonomy.
Emphasis is placed on doing things correctly, without room for innovation.
Rituals and myths illustrate an organisation's culture:
They include historical anecdotes and accepted behaviours.
Rituals like team-building events reinforce cultural bonds but may clash with individual values.
Symbolism provides cues about organizational culture:
It includes professional attire, jargon, and status indicators.
Symbols may create exclusivity, reinforcing a culture directed towards achievement.
The structure of an organisation is a strong cultural indicator:
Organisation can be tall or flat, affecting cultural dynamics.
Structures emphasize management styles and decision-making processes.
Power structure denotes power distribution:
It includes how decisions are made and resources allocated.
A competitive spirit may arise, requiring resilience and engagement from employees.
Charles Handy identified four cultural models:
Power culture
Person culture
Role culture
Task culture These models explore the balance of power and motivation within an organisation.
Characteristics:
Dominated by one or a few individuals with centralized control.
Characteristics include charismatic leadership and personal contact that dictate expected values.
This culture focuses on supporting individual professional ambitions:
The organisation exists primarily for personal development.
It thrives in environments like law firms and universities, though management can be challenging.
A bureaucracy-focused working style:
Detailed policies and set job roles often govern operations.
Its rigidity makes adapting to change difficult, prevalent in public sectors.
Emphasizes project deliverance and collaboration via:
Small, empowered teams.
A focus on results and trust within the group context. It fosters an innovative working style.
The culture and values directly influence local stakeholders:
They dictate employee behaviour and align with customer expectations.
Cultural norms help stakeholders identify with the organisation.
Cultural expressions must adapt to international settings to avoid misunderstandings:
Cultural norms differ such as greetings, language, and gift exchanges, which could affect relationships.
Cultural changes are often necessitated by external forces:
Changes in market dynamics or product relevancy can dictate re-evaluation of cultural norms.
Successful cultural change requires committed leadership and clear communication:
Senior leaders must model desired behaviours and consult stakeholders.
Engaging in a transparent and strategic manner helps implement cultural changes effectively:
Requires long-term planning, employee involvement, and active measuring of progress.
Embedded cultures may resist changes:
Employees may feel threatened by new practices or technology.
Overcoming these barriers involves careful management strategies and communication.
Reinforcing culture and values is crucial for alignment with organisational goals:
Internal branding and communication keep cultural values consistent and visible.
Employee behaviours should reflect organisational values:
Initiatives like onboarding, celebrating achievements, and providing development programs can enrich the culture.
The session reviewed key elements, including definitions, importance, impacts on stakeholders, and processes of cultural change, alongside methods for reinforcing culture and values within organisations.
The session concludes with an invitation for any questions regarding T-LEVELS and their significance in education and training.