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Organizational Culture and Symbols
A Review of the Symbolic Frame
Jorge L. ArroyoEDHP 687University of Southern CaliforniaFebruary 21, 2007
Presentation Outline» Assumptions» Discussion of cultures» Symbolic Frame
Myth, Vision, and Values Heroes and Heroines Stories and Fairy Tales Ritual and Ceremony Metaphor, Humor and Play
» USC and Student Affairs
Symbolic Assumptions» Most important is not what happens but what it means
» Events have multiple meanings because peopleinterpret experience differently
» People create symbols to resolve confusion, increasepredictability, find direction, and anchor hope and faith.
» What is expressed is more important than what isproduced.
» Culture is the glue that holds an organization togetherand unites people around shared values and beliefs.
Myth» Give meaning to the organization and
its events or procedures» Help explain occurrences, policies, etc.» Often stem from the beginnings of a
company or organization
“Herb, Let’s start an airline”
Vision» Guides the future of an
organization» Translation of core values or
sense of purpose» Illuminates possibilities» Sparks the imagination within
workers to think outside the box
Values» Defines what an organization stands
for» Create a sense identity and makes
people feel special» For institutions,values create
campus-wide connections betweenlarger goals and daily actions
» Usually does not translate well intowritten form - mission statements orformal documents
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Myth, Vision and Values
» Many times these are not easilydefinable
» Most organizations have ties betweentheir values, their vision and the mythsof their upstart
Stories and Fairy Tales» Usually dismissed as a last
resort - “Oh, they are justmaking stuff up now”
» Can convey information,procedures, values, andmyths
» A way to keep the stories ofheroes and heroines alive inorganization
» Downsides Can obscure the failure
of a program orprocedure
Can make certainpeople feelunproductive
Rituals and Ceremony» Rituals are simpler, day-to-day routines» Ceremonies are grander, more elaborate,
less frequent
» Rituals can also bea form of initiation
» The stronger theculture, the strongerthe message - “youare not yet one ofus”
Metaphor, Humor, and Play» Metaphors translate
issues intounderstandableimages
» Humor and play helpsmembers feel included
» Can help anorganization be moresocial
» It encouragesexperimentation,flexibility, andadaptiveness
Student Affairs at USC» What kind of culture exists here?» What values keep us united around
shared beliefs?» Any myths, heroes, or stories?
How do these fit into the institutionoverall?
» What do you bring to this campus?
Thank you!Resources
Bolman, L. & Deal, T. (2003) Reframingorganizations: Artistry, choice, andleadership. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco.
What will you take to your organization?