Organisations: National and organisational culture.


National culture

For the second Module of the Organizations and cultures course we were introduced to the organizations, national and organizational culture. Understanding that national culture, I found this definition which results to approach to its significance to me, National culture: “Comprises shared values, understandings, assumptions and goals that are learned from earlier generations, imposed by present members of a society and passed on to succeeding generations” (1)
In order to analyze and bring to reality this national culture, Geert Hofstede created and designed 5 dimensions that help us to understand and have a global view between nations and cultures, this cultural framework is based on:

• Power distance index
• Individualism
• Masculinity
• Uncertainty avoidance index
• Long term orientation. (2)

When talking about culture research, for me, Hofstede´s dimensions theory is one of my major sources, it´s amazing how using this 5 index can show and make clear the major behavior patterns of the population of a certain state. Its also important to mention the relevance of the Kluckholn and Strodtbeck's Six Dimensions.

Organizational culture

Culture inside organizations plays an important role, behavior patterns, beliefs and ethics are a sensible topic, since nobody acts in the same way, even though they share the same values, beliefs and traditions.
Organizational culture refers to the compilation of values, beliefs and norms that are shared by people and groups in an organization. These are intended to control the way they interact internally in the organization but also with stakeholders outside the organization.
The relevance of ethical and moral values in the understanding of culture varies from culture to culture and from person to person. They are based on religion and personal beliefs. What I think is right may not be right in your eyes.
Today, understanding the variety of moral values across generations and cultures is more important than ever.
It helps us do by showing with insightful discussions and fascinating evidence that people around the world are much more reflective and discerning in their moral choices than either conformists or relativists would have us believe.


Which is the relevance of the concept of culture within the organisational framework?

Culture, as a determinant of human behaviour, constitutes an important concept that must be analyzed and take in count in an organization, people inside a determinated group or enterprise have different points of view, as well as different ways of acting, resolving problems and negotiating. It´s important for an organization to have clear this differences, but also to “establish” a common culture, that must be reflected to people that don’t belong to the organization, this is intended to show an uniform way of acting and behaving, in a national level but also in a transnational one. The respect for cultural diversity becomes a relevant issue to manage inside an organization, from here starts the construction of a organizational culture.


References

1. DERESKY, Helen. International Management. Ed. Prentice Hall. New Jersey, 2006. “Understanding the role of culture” p.79 – 115

2. Hofstede, Geert. Cultural dimensions. http://www.geert-hofstede.com/

Mead, Richard. 2004. International Management: Cross-Cultural Dimensions . London: Blackwell Publishing.

Millman, Gregory J. . 2007. "Corporate Culture: more myth than reality? ." The Free Library 23:44-47. Millman, Gregory J. (2007, July 1).