Cultural Values and Cohesiveness: Seeing through the Lived Experience of the Insiders in an Instructional Context
Advisor Information
Chin-Chung Chao
Location
Milo Bail Student Center Council Room
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
8-3-2013 9:45 AM
End Date
8-3-2013 10:00 AM
Abstract
Many studies have found that culture facilitates individuals' integration in a particular social context to develop cohesiveness both at a macro and micro level in an organization. However, few research studies have been investigated to delineate how cultural values can be embedded into a university unit. This study analyzes the departmental culture of an American Midwestern university. Guided by Social Identification and Selfcategorization theories to examine members' perception and attachment in an organization the research delves into the cognitive process that leads individuals to recognize themselves as part of the same unit. "The strength of culture can be defined in terms of homogeneity and stability of group membership and the length of shared experiences of the group" (Schein, 1994, p.7). This statement reinforces the pivotal role of culture to identify patterns that exemplify members’ assimilation and development in a social setting. Moreover, the use of Schein's Onion Model allows having a comprehensive analysis of the elements that represent the real nature of a subculture. To be specific, this study uses participant observation and in-depth interviews to better understand how cultural values can be embedded into a university unit. The research findings of this study have both enriched the extent literature on organizational communication in general and explored an integrated process developing through the personal accounts in particular.
Cultural Values and Cohesiveness: Seeing through the Lived Experience of the Insiders in an Instructional Context
Milo Bail Student Center Council Room
Many studies have found that culture facilitates individuals' integration in a particular social context to develop cohesiveness both at a macro and micro level in an organization. However, few research studies have been investigated to delineate how cultural values can be embedded into a university unit. This study analyzes the departmental culture of an American Midwestern university. Guided by Social Identification and Selfcategorization theories to examine members' perception and attachment in an organization the research delves into the cognitive process that leads individuals to recognize themselves as part of the same unit. "The strength of culture can be defined in terms of homogeneity and stability of group membership and the length of shared experiences of the group" (Schein, 1994, p.7). This statement reinforces the pivotal role of culture to identify patterns that exemplify members’ assimilation and development in a social setting. Moreover, the use of Schein's Onion Model allows having a comprehensive analysis of the elements that represent the real nature of a subculture. To be specific, this study uses participant observation and in-depth interviews to better understand how cultural values can be embedded into a university unit. The research findings of this study have both enriched the extent literature on organizational communication in general and explored an integrated process developing through the personal accounts in particular.