A Primer on Organizational Culture

How can business—and business school—leaders help to create a values-driven organizational culture?
Katherine Phillips  | Fall 2018
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All workplaces have one thing in common: each of these organizations has its own unique culture. All organizations use these cultures to socialize their members and guide their behavior and values. Culture may manifest itself in the company’s messaging, metaphors, language, or storytelling as well as in formal policies, including how workers are compensated, evaluated, and rewarded within the organization. The most important elements of culture, though, are invisible or even subconscious, including beliefs, rules, assumptions, and attitudes about what is right or wrong. This primer, which includes real-world business scenarios illustrating positive and negative cultural forces, is designed to empower students to become leaders who seek to improve every organization they join.

Case ID: 190405

This case is used in core curriculum

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