Transcript Document
The Symbolic Frame Team Teach 3 Developed for MGT 614 “Organizational Leadership and Structure” University of New Hampshire Whittemore School of Business & Economics Assoc. Prof. Carole K. Barnett Facilitated by MGT 614 Students: Jessica Bushell Andra Gorski Emma Karp Ashley Riley 7/18/2015 1 7/18/2015 2 7/18/2015 3 7/18/2015 4 7/18/2015 5 7/18/2015 6 7/18/2015 7 7/18/2015 8 7/18/2015 9 Group Discussion Nike Logo Martha Stewart Olympic Flag Bill Gates Confederate Flag Red Cross Logo Swastika Statue of Liberty 7/18/2015 10 Purpose Class To examine the meanings and beliefs behind corporate symbols that make them so powerful. Individual To present how people attach meaning to symbols in the work place. To present how symbols create culture and in turn culture creates an intricate organizational theatre. 7/18/2015 11 Introduction The Symbolic Frame focuses on how individuals rationalize the world in which they live. 7/18/2015 “ Meaning is not given to us; we have to create it.” (pg240) 12 Organizations as Cultures Bolman & Deal, Reframing Organizations (2003) – Chapter 12 Organizations have cultures vs. Organizations are cultures Culture is both: Product: it embodies accumulated wisdom of those before Process: it is constantly renewed and re-created Nordstrom (book example) Organization’s culture is revealed and communicated most clearly through its symbols 7/18/2015 13 Symbolic Assumptions What is most important is not what happens but what it means. Activity and meaning are loosely coupled; events have multiple meanings because people interpret experience differently In the face of widespread uncertainty and ambiguity, people create symbols to resolve confusion, increase predictability, find direction, and anchor hope and faith. 7/18/2015 14 Symbolic Assumptions (cont.) Many events and processes are more important for what is expressed than what is produced. They form a cultural tapestry of secular myths, heroes and heroines, rituals, ceremonies, and stories that help people find purpose and passion in their personal and work lives. Culture is the glue that holds an organization together and unites people around shared values and beliefs. 7/18/2015 15 Symbols in Organizations An organizations culture is revealed most clearly through its symbols Myths, Visions, and Values Heroes and Heroines Stories and Fairy Tales Ritual and Ceremony Metaphor, Humor, and Play 7/18/2015 16 Prepare to be 7/18/2015 17 Organizations as Theatres Bolman & Deal, Reframing Organizations (2003) – Chapter 13 Structure Structure = Stage Design Role: Reflect prevailing social values and myths Conform to changing social ideas Create the stage Processes Process= Scripts, Stage markings Role: 7/18/2015 Direct where people go and how they should act Dictate what behaviors attain results 18 Real Life: Wal-Mart Expressive components of Organizational Theatre. 7/18/2015 Owners Convention 19 Group Activity Creating a unique organizational culture. Guidelines: Create Floor Set-up Appropriate Behavior Create a Creation story 7/18/2015 Dress code, Punctuality vs. Flex time, Social relationships How did the company begin Use the various symbols to elaborate and enrich the creation story and culture Describe your CEO 20 Stewart, Mulgrew, and Mahoney Accounting Firm Location: Boston, Massachusetts 7/18/2015 You work for Stewart, Mulgrew, and Mahoney, a conservative high-profile accounting firm located in a big city. You were established in 1896 and have a well-known reputation for being one of the best in the industry. 21 Moo-Acres Organic Ice Cream Family Owned Ice Cream Business Location: Rural New Hampshire 7/18/2015 You work for Moo-Acres Organic Ice Cream. The company is family owned and operated. You were established in 1998 and pride yourself on the natural qualities of your product. 22 Advanced Advertising Advertising Firm New York, New York 7/18/2015 You work for Advanced Advertising, a firm that handles accounts from many large, well-known companies. The company was started about ten years ago and has experiences massive growth in that term. The internal environment of Advanced Advertising is a dog-eat-dog world. 23 The American-Irish Museum Non-Profit Museum Washington D.C. 7/18/2015 You work at the Irish-American museum. The museum is small, only two floors and ten rooms of different periods of history. The museum is nonprofit which operated from admissions revenue and donations only. The museum has a very tight power structure and employs highly educated people that make the minimum that their profession commands, demonstrating enduring dedication. 24 CocoTan Surf Shop Surf and Beach Shop Florida, California, and Hawaii 7/18/2015 You work for the CocoTan Surf Shop, a chain which began in Coco Beach, Florida. Over the year rapid growth and interest allowed CocoTan to expand further into Florida and also Southern California and Hawaii. Headquarters for the chain are located a half mile from the ocean in Coco Beach, FL. 25 “ Meaning is not given to us; we have to create it.” (pg240) 7/18/2015 26