From Discord to Concord and Back Again (Managing the Formation, Transformation, and Fission of Organizational Culture)

Abstract

By means of theoretical analysis based on the results of previous research, and the relevant historical and factual material, the author outlines a new theory of formation, transformation, and fission of organizational culture. The mechanism that consolidates organizational culture (selection of “right” persons; adjustment to the common cause; and people’s accommodation with each other), the toolkit for renewing it (involvement of the key bearers of the culture to be introduced; elimination of those inconsistent with it; and translation of the proclaimed values to the “pliant mass” ready to get engaged in changes) as well as the nature of cultural ruptures in organizations and the ways out are brought into relief. The paper promotes a better understanding of the dynamics of organizational culture and gives an access to more efficient instruments to manage it.