Organizational Culture

Organizational Culture

Culture is an aspect of every organization which helps define the norms and types of behaviour that isacceptable and must be incorporated to maintain a particular standard. Culture affects and influenceshow people behave, think, and communicate. Different cultures have different expectations, norms andvalues which affects the way in which they may interpret information.

Newskools’ organisational

culture is decentralized, and it is expected that cultural issues will arise dueto its dynamic work force. To be an effective organisation that crosses international boundaries aproper knowledge of cultural issues is important, some of which we will discuss.

Communication Barriers

: Communication is a major issue in diverse cultures within anorganisation, and may result in negative outcomes. One of the major issues faced is theinterpretation of semantic (words that mean different things to different people), wordconnotations and tone differences. With an increase in communication via social networks wecan see how this may influence or assist in the breakdown of communication betweeninternational boundaries. Communication barriers may also occur among a diverse work groupwhere there is a lack of understanding and interpretation of cultural differences.

Decision Making

: Some cultures have different decision making styles which are dependent ontheir values and beliefs; this can lead to misunderstanding, slow decision making, failure tomake a decision or failure to implement a decision made. Some cultures for examplecharacterized by two main cultures Eastern and Western; Western cultures which is associatedwith quick impulsive, decisions and actions while the Eastern is slower, more comprehensiveand contemplative.

Ethical Choices and Conflict Resolution

: Considerations are to made to cultural differencewhen dealing with ethics and conflict resolution, because it contributes to the way a personthinks or acts. Conflict is sometimes as a result of a lack of communication and this can however be reversed by establishing effective communication based on mutual culturalunderstanding. Ethical behaviours are sometimes influenced public culture, by workenvironment and organisational factors, where

employee’s

ethics are not compatible with theorganizations; again the implementation of programs to improve

employees’

awareness of thedifferent cultures they interact with will play an integral role in curbing this issue.

Group Cohesion

: The cohesiveness of work groups with respect to culture has its advantagesas well its disadvantages. As mentioned before culture plays an important part in the way wethink, if there are differences in views, goals and interpretation within a group it is more thanlikely that desired outcome will be not in unison. Cohesiveness with in a group can only bestrengthening through an understanding of the organisation culture.