Cultural Approach to Organizations

IT6x11 T2/2015Dinh Manh Hoang ID:21500759

Contents:• Culture• Theories of Geertz and Pacanowsky• Geertz’ point of view• Pacanowsky’ consideration• Pacanowsky’s view • Stories• Pros and cons• Building Culture• Q & A• References

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Culture:• Culture is what a group learns over a period of time

as that group solves its problems of survival in an external environment and its problems of internal integration (Schein, 1990).

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Theories of Geertz and Pacanowsky:• Anthropologist Clifford Geertz’ view

in cultures• In the field of speech

communication, Michael Pacanowsky has applied Geertz's approach in his research of organizations.• Pacanowsky asserts that

communication creates and constitutes the taken-for-granted reality of the world.

(http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newSTR_90.htm)

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Geertz’ point of view:

(http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newSTR_90.htm)

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Pacanowsky’ consideration:

(kaleidoscopeconsulting.com.au)

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Pacanowsky’s view:

• Pacanowsky views the web of organizational culture as the residue of employee performances• The very actions by which members constitute and

reveal their culture to themselves and others.• Job performance may play only a minor role in how

a corporate culture is created

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Stories:

• Corporate stories • Personal stories• Collegial stories

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Pros and cons:• Advantages• Can be designed• Team up

• Disadvantages• Need influence or adaption• “Export” or “import” culture

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Building Culture:• Team of people: (Wilkinson, 2011)• Same purposes• Same passion• Same ideas

• Rituals and Routines

(The Internship 2013)10

Q & A

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References:• Geertz, C. (1973). The interpretation of cultures. New

York: Basic Books.• Pacanowsky, M., & O'Donnell-Trujillo, N. (1982).

Organizational communication as cultural performance. Washington, D.C.: ERIC Clearinghouse.• Schein, E. H. (1990). Organizational Culture.

Massachusetts, USA: American Psychologist.• Wilkinson, J. (2011). Company's Culture Determined by

Design or Default. Retrieved from youtube.com channel TEDx Talks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDFqEGI4QJ4

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Thank you !