MGMT20001 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Jargon, Dominant Culture

• School: University of Melbourne
• Department: Management
• Course: MGMT20001
• Professor: All

Document Summary

Invisible cultures are shared meanings about the organisation, its purpose, its members and how they should behave; relates to values, beliefs and assumptions. Visible culture is reflected in patterns in physical artifacts, language use, symbols, rituals and practices that have evolved over time. How/where can culture be found: from most visible to least visible, from least powerful to most powerful, observable symbols(uniforms,logos,ceremonies)/physical layout/appearance(place, People: communication, practices and behaviours, values, beliefs, feelings, assumptions. Observable symbols are meant to embody something about the organisation. They are deliberate; meant to be observed and meaning is usually clear. Physical layout and appearance can be difficult to interpret. Communication within culture is defined by what/how words are used and stories/legends/ myths told about the company s past. How: first name vs title, formal vs informal, suggesting vs directing. Understanding the culture of an organisation through communication requires more interpretation than observable symbols.