Abstract
The chapter deals with organizational culture from the viewpoint of systems theory of organizations. Organizations are presented as autopoietic systems; relations between organization and individual are discussed as well. The author attempts to define to what extent values and rules characteristic for a given culture can and should be changed. The aim of this chapter is to present the essence of organisation culture from systems theory of organization viewpoint. Steady grounds (core) are an important condition that has to be fulfilled to allow organization to develop and succeed, as this core would help it in keeping balance under difficult circumstances. Hence, the chapter attempts to answer the question of the role played by culture-related factors in organizations and to what extent values and rules, accepted in a given culture, can and should be changed.
TopBackground
There is a great variety of theories of organizations. These theories are part of the huge area of social sciences that cover all aspects of private and collective life of human beings (Kieser & Ebers 2014, p. 26).1 Particular topics, subjects and scientific specializations that can be singled out within this area usually do not have clearly set boundaries – they overlap and interlace. What they all do have in common is their interest to relationship of organization as a social entity with its members. And systems theory of organization is focused exactly on interrelations between social system and its participants. Models of organizations produced with the help of system approach enable better understanding of logic behind any organization’s operation. On this basis it is possible to draw important conclusions and make valuable recommendations that could be applied in practice. The function of theory of organization in relation to roles of other concepts and fields of research is often secondary. Nevertheless, taking into consideration the central role played by organizations in society, the importance of this function should not be underestimated. More and more often organizations replace family structures, tribal or ethnic links and local communities. And, whatever happens – good or bad, organizations are almost always part of this. Today they play a crucial role in the context of changes caused by increase of complexity.
Bearing that in mind, researchers, inter alia, G. Probst, P. Gomez (Probst & Gomez 1997, p. 45), F. Malik (Malik, 2014, pp. 21-27), J. Honegger (Honegger, 2008, pp. 27-28), F. Vester, (Vester, 2008, pp.16-20), J. O'Connor, I. McDermott J. (O'Connor & McDermott, 1998, p. 34), W. Sitte, H. Wohlschlaegl (Sitte & Wohlschlaegl 2006, p. 508), D. Meadows (Meadows, 2010, pp.17-18), point to the need of a broader view – the system approach to theory of organization and the phenomenon of organization culture.
W. Sitte and H. Wohlschlaegl at the same time note that system approach is not a priori better than other concepts, though it enables a fresh look, better understanding of processes and may lead to new conclusions (Sitte & Wohlschlaegl, 2006, p.510).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Unsolved Decision Premises: Luhmann’s concept of decision premises can be presented as a “four-angled” triangle, to show interrelations between them. This “four-angled” triangle consists of programs, processes/structures, persons and organization culture, which is placed in the middle, because it cannot be influenced directly. Programs are in other words strategies, visions and objectives. Processes and structures control the flow of communications in organization. Particular values, points of view and attitude are brought into organization by and thanks to people.
System Analysis: Makes possible to control variability and complexity thanks to knowledge and understanding of interdependencies and links existing between different elements. Thus, it is easier to notice interrelated links and influences, which is particularly important since modern organizations are tied with their environment with an infinite number of such linkages.
Network Analysis: The central idea of the method is broad, all-embracing vision and research of the world, which essentially comes down to research of numerous factors that influence development of “a problematic situation”. These factors are interrelated and interlaced like a network.