Organizational culture is the shared understanding within an organization regarding the norms, values, and taken-for-granted beliefs the define an organization. The text discusses four general types of organizational culture (see Figure 16-2) and the self-assessment helps you identify your own preferred organizational culture. None of these cultures is more effective than another in all circumstances, but some may help the organization attract the employees it needs and help the organization fit its specific competitive environment better than others.
What type of organizational culture does your current (or most recent) employing organization have? Is this the right culture for your organization, or would you suggest a different type? Is this the right organizational culture for you?