ExpertOrganisational Culture
Learning outcomes
- Define organisational culture using Schein's iceberg model.
- Apply Handy's cultural typologies (Power, Role, Task, Person).
What is Culture?
Culture is 'the way we do things around here'.
Schein's Iceberg Model
Edgar Schein argued culture has three levels:
- Artifacts (Visible): Dress code, office layout, logos.
- Espoused Values (Conscious): The official mission statement, stated goals.
- Basic Assumptions (Invisible): Unconscious, taken-for-granted beliefs (e.g., 'we never question the boss').
According to Schein, a company's official mission statement posted on the wall is an example of:
Culture is not just Artifacts
Changing the dress code to 'casual Friday' (Artifact) does not change the underlying culture if the Basic Assumption remains that senior managers are unapproachable dictators.
Charles Handy's Cultural Typologies
Handy linked cultures to Greek gods:
- Power (Zeus): Controlled by a central figure. Fast decisions, low bureaucracy. (Common in startups).
- Role (Apollo): Highly bureaucratic, strict job descriptions, hierarchical. (Common in government/traditional banks).
- Task (Athena): Focus on getting the project done. Matrix structures, expertise is valued over job titles. (Common in ad agencies/tech).
- Person (Dionysus): The organisation exists for the individuals. (Common in barristers' chambers or medical practices).
A highly bureaucratic government department where employees strictly follow rulebooks and respect job titles is an example of which of Handy's cultures?
Exam Focus
Cultural clashes during mergers are highly testable. If a Role culture buys a Task culture, the Task employees will likely quit because they hate the new bureaucracy.
In a 'Task' culture, power and influence are primarily derived from:
Which of Handy's cultures is typically represented by a 'spider's web' structure, with a dominant leader in the center?
According to Hofstede's cultural dimensions, a society that accepts a high degree of unequal power distribution has a high:
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ACCA BT — Business & Technology Practice Exam 2
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