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What Are the Different Organizational Culture Models?

Esther Ejim
Esther Ejim

Organizational culture models refer to the different categories for describing the exact type of organizational culture in place in an organization. Organizational culture may be divided into four types. An organization may be one of hierarchy or either a clan culture. The organizational culture may also be one of adhocracy, or it may be a market culture. All of these organizational culture models have their own characteristics, which differentiate them from each other.

The hierarchy organizational culture models are types of organizational models that are found in corporations where formality is the key cultural factor. In such organizations, everything must be done according to stated rules and regulations, leaving no room for individualism. An example of such a culture is the type that some big legal firms obtain. In such places, all employees know what their responsibilities, and they are expected to conform to established patterns of behavior in the firm. They must only wear certain types of outfits, and junior employees do not have free or easy access to the managing partners. Such corporations pride themselves on their efficiency and dependability.

A company with a collaborate organizational culture model would consider teamwork to be a necessity.
A company with a collaborate organizational culture model would consider teamwork to be a necessity.

Under the collaborate organizational culture models, the organization is run in a more open and friendly manner. The organizations that practice this type of culture prefer to treat their employees as a family, where trust and openness are the guiding principles. The top management in this type of culture is not out of reach to the junior staff. In fact, the junior staff is even encouraged to view the top managers as mentors and motivators rather than viewing them in a rigidly formal manner. In this type of culture, teamwork is considered to be a necessity.

Adhocracy oranizational culture models are practiced by those types of companies that strive to be at the very cutting edge of their field.
Adhocracy oranizational culture models are practiced by those types of companies that strive to be at the very cutting edge of their field.

Adhocracy organizational culture models are practiced by those types of companies that strive to be at the very cutting edge of their field. Such companies like to be the pioneers and innovators. They strive to be the ones with the latest technology, the most impressive sales figures, and the most dynamic workforce. They encourage their employees to use initiative and to always think outside of the box. Such organizations are more willing to experiment with new ideas and new schemes.

Market organizational culture models apply in those organizations where the bottom line is the level of productivity. The employees are expected to be driven and to consistently finish any project they are assigned in a timely manner. An example of organizations that practice this type of culture includes financial businesses like banks and insurance companies that give their employees and marketers monthly targets to meet.

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Discussion Comments

ZipLine

@donasmrs-- Compared to some of the other more classic organizational culture models, adhocracy is a newer model.

As far as I know, some of the big computer software and web companies have this type of organizational culture model. That's why they're not only very successful, but also some of the most desirable places to work.

These organizations care less about hierarchy and more about team work and creativity. I think that this is the new age organizational culture model.

donasmrs

I've never heard of adhocracy organizational culture before. Is this a new thing?

candyquilt

Government agencies must be the best examples of organizations with hierarchy based organizational culture. Government agencies are all about ranks and procedures. It's all about bureaucracy and in bureaucracies, there are rules about every single procedure. Employees in junior positions don't interact with their seniors all that often. And if they do, it's a very formal and rigid interaction.

I think some agencies are starting to change a little bit. The organizational culture partly also depends on senior employees and what they prefer. But for the most part, all government agencies have a strict hierarchy and an organizational culture that's suited for it.

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    • A company with a collaborate organizational culture model would consider teamwork to be a necessity.
      By: Rido
      A company with a collaborate organizational culture model would consider teamwork to be a necessity.
    • Adhocracy oranizational culture models are practiced by those types of companies that strive to be at the very cutting edge of their field.
      By: Rido
      Adhocracy oranizational culture models are practiced by those types of companies that strive to be at the very cutting edge of their field.