Paper #5

ORCO 4500

Paper #5

BASIC UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS

“The highest level of organizational culture is “basic assumptions” (a relatively new concept). Two important distinctions exist between

beliefs and basic assumptions. First, beliefs are conscious and can thus be identified without much difficulty (through interview,

diagnostic tests). On the other hand, basic assumptions are likely to have dropped out of awareness – they are there but in the recesses of

the mind (ex. Brakes on a car – eventually we stop thinking about braking to stop and just do it instinctively assuming the car will stop).

Second, beliefs are cognitions whereas assumptions include out of conscious perception and feeling as well.”

Ott, J. S. (1989) The Organizational Culture Perspective, Brooks/Cole: Pacific Grove, California

“Basic assumptions involves an organization’s relationship to its

environment, its view of customers/clients, its collaborative or competitive posture in the marketplace or among other government

agencies, or its openness to using technology from other industries to solve problems. They can also be about almost anything connected

with an organization’s internal integration processes (human nature, human activity, human relationships).”

Ott, J. S. (1989) The Organizational Culture Perspective, Brooks/Cole: Pacific Grove, California

List/Describe/Explain/Clarify some basic assumptions of the organization of your choice. 3-5 pps - cite at least 2 definitions in your

introduction - Good Luck!