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What Is the Relationship between Organizational Culture and Organizational Change?

Maggie Worth
Maggie Worth

The relationship between organizational culture and organizational change is distinct and works both ways. An organization's specific culture can make change easier or harder, can affect the way change is communicated and can impact the overall effectiveness of change. Significant organizational change can also have a profound affect on an organization's culture.

Organizational culture is the way that a company operates. It refers not to specific processes, such as when the fiscal year ends or what type of software is used, but rather to atmospheric and relational aspects of how an entity does business. For example, one company might be quite strict about start and end times while another might be more lenient or flexible. One company might offer on-site daycare and encourage employees to visit their children throughout the day, while another might expect that personal life be kept strictly separate. Other areas of cultural difference can be seen in how information is communicated within the company; how management styles vary; and the way employees are encouraged to treat vendors, clients and colleagues.

Organizational culture is the way that a company operates.
Organizational culture is the way that a company operates.

When there is significant change within a company or organization, this is referred to as organizational change. The term generally refers to changes with a high level of impact. This might be a merger with another company, a major relocation, a transition from private company to public corporation or a change in leadership, for instance.

Perhaps the most direct link between organizational culture and organizational change is adaptability. Some companies embrace change — they constantly look for ways to improve operations and remain on the leading edge of innovation. Other companies are more traditional and prefer to continue to conduct business as they always have, regardless of market changes. Traditional companies do not generally adapt well to change; they may resist until well after the change is necessary and may fail to implement change effectively.

A merger with another company is likely to bring about significant change in an organization's culture.
A merger with another company is likely to bring about significant change in an organization's culture.

Another cultural factor affecting change is the effectiveness of communication channels. Companies who are set up to quickly, clearly and effectively communicate change and change strategies to employees, clients and vendors are likely to have more effective change initiatives. In addition, a company that encourages employee feedback is likely to experience less worker stress during times of change.

The relationship between organizational culture and organizational change also is reflected in how change affects culture. This is especially relevant when the change involves leadership, either due to a sale or acquisition or because top leadership leaves the company. When this happens, the new leadership, or new governing company, is likely to change the culture of the company significantly.

Discussion Comments

bluedolphin

Embracing change is great, but it means little if there is poor communication in an organization. Change is only effective when everyone in the organization is familiar and comfortable with it.

candyquilt

Organizational change has to do with organizational change and organizational change has a lot to do with leadership like the article said. When the administrators of an organization change, the culture changes too. And organization culture affects many different factors like the organization's strategy and its values.

When leadership changes in an organization, employees are always worried about what's going to happen. On one hand, employees don't want to have to make changes to their working methods and styles. At the same time, employees might looking forward to leadership that will establish a more effective and favorable working environment.

What I'm trying to say is, everything is connected and it all goes back to management.

ysmina

I've noticed that bureaucracies rarely change, whereas private business, especially those who use technology change often.

I suppose adaptability to change also has to do with survival. If change is not required for an organization to survive, like government institutions, then it's not going to want to change. But businesses, such as those dealing with information technology have to adapt to changes quickly to survive and to be successful.

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    • Organizational culture is the way that a company operates.
      By: Rido
      Organizational culture is the way that a company operates.
    • A merger with another company is likely to bring about significant change in an organization's culture.
      By: pressmaster
      A merger with another company is likely to bring about significant change in an organization's culture.