Samantha BelabinVanessa Clara

Meagan MesirowRachel Sperber

The Symbolic Frame

What constitutes the symbolic frame?

• Key Concepts: Emphasis on culture, symbols, and spirit as keys to organizational success.

• Metaphors of the frame: The symbolic lens looks at organizations as temples, tribes, theaters, or carnivals.

• Aspects of organizations: Depicts organizations as cultures, fueled by rituals, ceremonies, stories, heroes, and myths.

• We create the meanings of symbols.

Chapter Overview

Ch. 12: Explore the many forms symbols take in our lives and how they are a part of culture.

Ch. 13: Apply symbolic concepts to team dynamics.

Ch. 14: Organizational culture in action.

Symbols

• An object that stands for a socially constructed idea beyond its initial use.

• “A symbol is something that stands for or suggests something else; it conveys socially constructed means beyond its intrinsic or obvious functional use.”

What logo is this & what do you think of when you see it?

What it means to people

• Camaraderie• Riding Free• The pride of owning a

product that has become a legend.

• Harley Owners Group: Way of Life

What is this logo & what does it mean to you?

Budweiser Clydesdales

• Aging• Family• Staying Connected• Brotherhood• Stability• Dominance• Tradition

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2prAccclXs

Values• Characterize what an organization stands for.• Sense of identity for the company.• Boardroom to factory floor.• Mottos (or mission statements) can reflect the

ideology of the organization.• Ex) U.S. Marine Corps motto: “Semper Fi”

Always faithful. Stands for tradition, sentiments, and solidarity.

‘Discover it’ Card Commercial

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am13QuDpokk

• “We treat you like you’d treat you.”

• Reflects their values and ideology of the company.

• Shows the workers following the company’s motto and the customer is happy.

Slogan Quiz

1. Rethink Possible

2. Home is Calling

3. You’re in good hands.

4. When you’re here, you’re family.

5. Eat Fresh.

Slogan Quiz cont.6. Have it your way.

7. Come hungry. Leave happy.

8. Expect More. Pay Less.

9. You are now free to move around the country.

10. I’m Lovin’ It.

Heroes

• Human models influence our decisions and actions.

• Highlight behaviors valued by the organization.• Makes success in the organization “attainable”

for the average person.• Their exploits, animated through stories, serve

as guides to choices we make in our personal lives and at work.

Heroes

• 9/11 reminded Americans of the role of heroism in the human spirit.

• News shows run more “everyday heroes” segments.

Jared Fogle Subway Ads

He went from 425 pounds to a 189 pounds. He is a brand hero whose story was a sale-improving ad campaign.

Storytelling

• Communicates who you are and who your company is.

• Transmits values• Shares knowledge• Leads people into the future

Meagan’s Story

• Camp for All Kids

Vanessa’s Story

• On May 5, 1995, Melissa Aptman was murdered in St. Louis. A Miami native, she was just two weeks away from graduation from Washington University. A year after her death, Melissa’s family, friends and violence prevention experts established The Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and Treatment to honor her memory and make a difference by working to prevent violence and assist victims.

• The Melissa Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and prevention of violence through education, community service, research support and consultation. The Institute’s mission is to prevent violence and promote safer communities through education and application of research-based knowledge.

THE MELISSAINSTITUTE

For Violence Prevention and Treatment

The mission is accomplished in the following ways:•Education•Consultation•Community Service•Research Support

Rituals and Ceremony• Cultures rely on ritual and ceremony

to create order, clarity, and predictability.

• Bond a group together and instill the organization with traditions and values.

• Governs relationships within the organization.

• Newcomers bring elements of evolution and reform to help organizations grow and change. Traditions keep it grounded.

Rituals

Rituals and Ceremony

• Purpose of Rituals: Give structure and meaning to daily life.

• Ritual = everyday• Ex. A person’s everyday

routine brushing your teeth going to work watching a weekly episode

of television with friends

Ceremony• Purpose of Ceremonies: Inspire imagination

and deepen faith. Provide order and meaning.• Ceremony= episodic (happens at times of

transition or special occasions)• Examples: Familiar Ceremonies:o Holidays o Political electionso Celebrations such as UM HomecomingHuman Service Ceremony Types:o Annual conventionso Welcoming eventso Retirement ceremonies

Rachel’s Story

• Relay for Life

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yavQAQXPZMg

The Four Major Roles of Ceremonies• Socialize – Get everyone to

be a part of the same cause. • Stabilize – Bind an

organization together in spirit.

• Reassure – Hear success stories and achievements.

• Convey messages to external constituencies – Make the organization accessible to outsiders, such as consumers and investors.

Organizations As CulturesWhat is culture?• “The way we do things around here.” (Deal and

Kennedy)• “The collective programming of the mind that

distinguishes the members of one human group from another.” (Hofstede)

• It is a product (of past experiences) and a process (renewed and re-created by newcomers).

Culture cont.

• Organizations develop distinct beliefs, values, and customs. Those who use these symbols correctly can shape more cohesive and effective organizations.

• Management practices and theories are culture-bound.

• Culture is built over time.• Beliefs, values and practices are passed on,

creating an organization’s identity.

American Culture

Individualistic v. Collectivistic Culture

Tenants of the Symbolic Frame

• How One Becomes a Group Member– It must be a mutual choice

• Diversity Within the Group is Important– Each person has unique

skills and a unique style/perspective to contribute

– Tension among diverse groups can fuel a working team

Tenants of the Symbolic Frame

• Type of Leadership Can Foster of Limit Success– One should lead by example, not command– Create ambiguity and encourage inventiveness to

direct group towards common goal– Use subtle and implicit signals rather than

concrete and explicit guidelines

Tenants of the Symbolic Frame• Employ a Specialized

Language– Fosters cohesion and

commitment– Helps to reflect and shape a

group’s culture– Allows team members to

communicate with little misunderstanding

– Visible sign of membership• Promote Storytelling

– Carry history and values while also reinforcing group identity

Tenants of the Symbolic Frame• Promote Humor and Play

– Helps reduce tension and encourage creativity– Serves as a source of relaxation, stimulation, enlightenment, ad

spiritual renewal• Include Rituals and Ceremonies

– Helps to lift spirits and reinforce values– These enclose and define special forms of behavior

• Have an Informal Culture Who Ministers to Spiritual Needs– Make contributions disproportionate to their formal role– This person hears confessions, give blessings, maintains

traditions, encourages ceremonies, and intercede in matters of importance

Tenants of the Symbolic Frame• Secret of Success???– SOUL or culture

• Individual efforts go beyond the job

• Individuals are supported by a way of life that encourages each person to do something of significance

• Commitment is elicited, maintained, and accentuated through the other tenants of the symbolic frame

• Peak performance emerges as a team discovers its soul!

Organization As Theater• Organizations are judged on appearance and

outcomes.• The production reassures, fosters belief in the

organization’s purpose, and cultivates faith.

Dramaturgical and Institutional TheoryDramaturgical Theory:• Redefines organizational dynamics.• Approaches organizations “as if they were theatrical (Goffman) or

“as theater (Burke).”• Focus on social interaction among individuals and on internal

situations.• Organizational life is scripted. We play out scenes.• Interface between organizations and the public. (How does this

appear to others?)Institutional Theory:• The interface between organizations and their publics.• Organizations are constantly buffeted by larger social, economic,

and political trends.

IsomorphismThe challenge of organizations is sustaining isomorphism.• Definition: The correct appearance and presentation

of an organization in order to keep faith with constituents.

• Benefit: Improve an organization’s image. Presentation can be more important than tangible results.

The 3 kinds of isomorphism:1. Coercive- Orgs. Become more similar in response to

outside pressures2. Mimetic- Orgs. Copy each other3. Normative- Sharing ideas and combining them

within orgs.

Symbolic Structure As Theater

The symbolic view approaches structure as stage design to make an org. look credible to an audience. Tell a good story through the use of:

Lighting: Put a spotlight on the good.

Costumes: Blend in with clients/investors.

Audience: Know your audience and what they need to hear.

Symbolic Process As Theater

Meetings: Serve as expressive occasions and promote bonding. Issues get attention.Planning: Essential ceremony conducted periodically to maintain legitimacy.• Plans as symbols- ‘all is well’• Plans as games- ‘test of will’• Plans as excuses for interaction- forces discussion• Plans as advertisements- ‘investment brochure’

Symbolic Process As Theater cont.

Evaluation: Assessing performances of different facets of the org.Collective Bargaining: Labor and management meet and negotiate issues until they come to an agreement.Power: Commodity that individuals or systems possess.Managing Impressions: Enacting symbols effectively.

Team Building Activity

• The Human Knot

The End

• Any questions?