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Company Culture Profile
BA 411
Choose three different companies/organizations to examine (for example: Ninkasi, Ikea, Intel, etc.). This could be a company you work for, or want to. First, go to the organizations’ websites and review their official language on company culture. Fill out the following chart by summarizing what you find:
|
Organization: |
1. Ikea |
2. Amazon |
3. Microsoft |
|
Company Overview/Mission Statement summary: |
Ikeas mission is to be a customer-oriented company focused on satisfying customers and solving their problems. |
Amazon strives to offer their customers the lowest possible prices, the best available selection, and the utmost convenience. |
Microsoft aims to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. |
|
Other “official” statements of work culture (Vision Statements, Values Statements, Work Culture descriptions, Sustainability, Diversity, etc.) |
To create a better life for people by offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them. Humbleness and willpower Leadership by example Daring to be different Togetherness and enthusiasm Cost consciousness Constant desire for renewal Accept and delegate responsibility |
To be earth's most customer-centric company; to build a place where people can come to find and discover anything they might want to buy online. |
To help people and businesses throughout the world realize their full potential. |
Now, examine the Handshake (https://oregonstate.joinhandshake.com/login), Glassdoor (https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/index.htm) and Indeed pages (https://www.indeed.com/companies) for those organizations, and any other unofficial or “insider” information you can find about company culture. Some major corporations have Facebook pages dedicated to workers or with potentially useful commentary (e.g. Symantec), and there are also SubReddits (e.g.: r/Starbucks) and other sources of information from past and current employees, as well as message boards in various parts of the internet.
Once you’ve found information, answer the following from the perspective of workers in these organizations. Think about Artifacts (what is observed), Values (traditions, norms), and Assumptions (what ideas are taken for granted), in particular.
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Organization: |
1. |
2. |
3. |
|
Artifacts, Observations, Symbols |
High traffic store Fair and clear responsibilities Competitive pay Great benefits
|
A lot of incentives Fast paced Work is physically demanding Working overtime is mandatory Extremely long working days characterized with constant standing. Great Health benefits |
Up to date with the times Fantastic benefits Good work atmosphere Good management Strong leadership Wide customer base |
|
Values, Traditions, Norms
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Co-workers share a strong bond Amazing management Friendly work environment Team-work oriented
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Flexible working hours Adequate on the job training Productive workplace
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Helps staff to grow and reach their career goals Wonderful opportunities Flexible working hours Collaborative culture Great work-life balance Productive and supportive work environment. |
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Assumptions, things taken for granted |
Lack of training for employees Schedule is constantly changing Extremely political |
Minimal chances for advancement No life balance. Employees get fired very easily and are treated just like a number. |
None |
After you’ve identified the “official culture” and “unofficial culture” of these organizations, pick one of them to write some more about below. What surprised you about this place? Do you want to work here now? How much influence do you think you can have on a work culture? Is there a culture you couldn’t function within? How do you adapt to a work culture that doesn’t fit you?
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The company I pick is Microsoft. Both their official and unofficial cultures are highly impressive. I was surprised that most workers had positive comments about the work experience in Microsoft compared to the other two companies. I would definitely want to work here in future because of the flexibility and the opportunities for growth. I think employees can have an influence on a work culture. They can make the experience better for fellow employees or make it worse. There is no work culture in Microsoft that I couldn’t function with. I can easily adapt to their working conditions and get the best out of the job. |
