WHAT DO CULTURE DO?

culture function.

• boundary defining - role
• it conveys a sense of identity for organization members
• culture facilitates the generation of commitment to something larger than one’s individual self interest
• it enhances the stability of the social system

Culture as a liability

     The culture is treated in a non-judgmental manner and we are not saying that it is good or bad but only that it exists.

case in culture

High turnover even in the managerial ranks is fairly common in the restaurant industry. So the fact that Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., a seafood restaurant and chain with 14 locations lost no general managers during 2002 was quite a feat. How did the company do it? Company president and chief executive, Scott Barnett, gives credit to Bubba’s strong culture.

He says “we believe that people make the difference. Almost every decision we make has a people elements to it. People are discussed some might say, ad nauseam. But it is so critical to us that we have people in the right places”.

The company is obsessed with finding individuals who will embrace the chain’s strong devotion to food and respect for people. They have tried to create an atmosphere where people feel respected by people in the company and by the people that run it. People need to feel they can make a difference. Then you are empowered and that counts for a lot. There has to be integrity about the company. People are excited about being there. If they feel they are getting some thing and doing something they want to do and the organization is behind them, issues about long workdays and all that become less of a problem.

A powerful device for hiring the right people at Bubba Group is the job interview. The firm calls it a working interview. Job candidates are required to work on the floor. They greet customers at tables, help run food, see how the kitchen operates and get a look at what working at the restaurant is like. This gives prospective employees realistic insights into the company’s culture and the job they will be doing. It also gives management an opportunity to see how well the candidate fits in with staff and customers.

more at http://www.citeman.com/3998-what-do-cultures-do.html#ixzz46j0D88B9