Formal Corporate Culture in an Informal Social World
Individuals exist in social settings in proximity1 with each other, and they form groupings that are defined by shared practices, rituals, traditions, beliefs and values. While all the members of a given group do not always adhere to these values, the values act as a reference by which desirable behavior and interaction are measured. The values serve as a resource that is used to make sense of the individuals’ environment, therefore constituting a culture2.
The values that determine behavior and interaction between members of a corporate culture are determined in a hierarchical and unidirectional manner with the objective of creating an environment that is conducive for efficiency and productivity. The majority of individuals in such groups have limited power in determining the practices and values of the culture. This relationship between actions and the possible perceptions and reactions is monolithic3 because there are predetermined interaction patterns and a causal response to communication among members of the group. For instance, if an individual breaks a rule or regulation, he/she receives two warnings before disciplinary action can be taken. In contrast with this, in informal groups, culture serves as a means of making sense of the world, and adherence to values is situational. This relationship between culture and communication is reflexive4.1 Proximity: This can be either physical, circumstantial or proximity through a medium of communication.
2 Culture: The definition of a culture is itself dependent on the perception (culture) of the person making the definition – Hall, Bradford. Among Cultures: The Challenge of Communication. Wadsworth, 2002, pg. 5.
3 Culture as a monolithic force: human behavior is causal and what we may observe of this causal relationship is true of the entire group/universal.
4 Culture as a reflexive force: This perspective assumes that culture and communication have a relationship for making sense, and the relationship has the ability to vary depending on situational circumstances.
