Illustration 4.3 shows the cultural web for an organization involved in paper production.

Using this as a guide, construct a cultural web for an organization you know well.

If you wanted to initiate strategic change in the company that you have described, which features of the culture present the biggest barriers to change and how would you go about changing them?

Transcribed Image Text:

Illustration 4.3 A cultural web of Paper Unlimited, a large UK-based paper distributor Stories Son of the founder (recently deceased) and his influence on the company policies and practices - a people-oriented company • Frequent need to expand paper stacking space as example of continuing success Rituals and routines • Walk-about management - aways available to employees • Management can be Interrupted • Lots of talking • Yearty employee/family outing Symbols • New buliding and warehouses • Swimming pool and leisure facilities for employees and familles .IIP award Controls IT controls most operations • Error measurement • Help given to Improve • Quality award *Award for excellence in the use of IT The paradigm Dedicated to the philosophy laid down by the recently deceased original owner's son, who ran the company for over 40 years. This implies being: • A people-oriented organization also dedicated to high task performance • Provider of long-term employment • Aware of success while also aware of the need continuously to analyze the environment to detect new markets • Committed to incremental rather than radical changes Power structures • Long-serving managers and workforce Can work your way up • Positions based on expertise in the business rather than on qualifications • Paternalistic style of management . Emphasis on continuity • Relaxed attitudes • Cooperation at head office, competition between the branches where selling occurs Organizational structures • Hierarchical at head office- bureaucracy with a human face • Teamworking in the branches with team-based rewards • Profit-related pay • Responsibilides clearly defined