How important is culture in the context of organisational change?
Some cultures are more open to changes than others. In general, cultures (once developed) tend towards homeostasis. This means that they have a tendency to revert to a steady state rather than to fluctuate. There is substantial inertia to overcome in order to alter culture at any level deeper than that of the Artefacts of culture. – Much modern management effort and activity is concerned with introducing and dealing with change. So much so that the very term ‘Change’ has itself become a threat and for some an obstacle. – When exploring this area it is important to avoid the (all too common) nominalization of ‘Change’ and instead to focus the effort and resources available on that which is to be changed. ‘Developing a more efficient way of making our product ‘;’Reducing levels of scrap and rework’ are the sorts of new activities that many employees can happily embrace. To trail them as ‘change programmes’ will be welcomed in some cultures and shunned in others. – At times of strong chan
