Context:

In an organization, culture serves four basic functions. First, culture provides a sense of identity to members and increases their commitment to the organization. When employees internalize the values of the company, they find their work intrinsically rewarding and identify with their fellow workers. As a result, motivation is enhanced, and employees are more committed.

Second, culture provides a way for employees to interpret the meaning of organizational events. Leaders can use organizational symbols such as corporate logos to help employees understand the changing nature of their organizational identity. Sometimes symbols should remain the same to ensure that some things stay constant despite changing conditions. Other times symbols may have to change to reflect the new culture in the organization.

Third, culture reinforces the values of the organization.

And, fourth, culture serves as a control mechanism for shaping behavior. Norms that guide behavior are part of culture. Thus, if the norm the company wants to promote is teamwork, then its culture must reinforce that norm. The companys culture must be characterized by open communication, cooperation between teams, and integration of teams. Some norms involve how to show emotion in acceptable or preferred ways. Firefighters, for example, engage in extremely dangerous work. They often have to suppress their emotions and they experience high levels of work-family conflict. When the fire stations where they work have cultures that are jovial and loving, firefighters take fewer unnecessary risks and cope better with their jobs.

Question

Suppose that you work for a restaurant that has been undergoing a lot of change recently. The restaurant where you work has new management, new policies for servers, and several new items on the menu. But the restaurant still wants customers to know that they have great customer service, the same as theyve always had. What would be a good way to provide a sense of stability for customers?

a) Ask the restaurant manager to explain the changes to customers as they enter.

b) Keep the restaurants logo the same as it has always been.

c) Change the restaurants logo to reflect the changes in the restaurant.

d) Put up a sign explaining changes to customers.

Note: Multiple choice Question: Only one answer is correct.