Case 3.2: Detecting Organizational Culture

Purpose:
The purpose of this case study is to analyze the impact of organizations' cultural values on communication patterns.

Methods:

1. Select two companies to compare and contrast.
2. Collect various "artifacts" (slogans, corporate philosophy, etc.) that are representative of the culture.
3. Conduct interviews with various employees to determine organizational heroes, stories and values.
4. Determine two or three critical values of each company that are suggested by your research.
5. Provide specific evidence from your research that supports your selection of the values.

Objectives:

1. Discuss how the values are communicated in the company and how the values interact with one another.
2. Determine the likely communication strengths and weaknesses of the companies based on the above analyses and your knowledge of organizational communication. Provide sufficient rationale for your speculations.
3. Speculate on the "health" of each culture.
4. Compare and contrast the cultures of the two companies.
5. Summarize what the exercise has taught you about communication and organizational cultures.