Examples Of Strong Corporate Cultures

Cultural Benefits Organizations

Organizations able to maintain positive cultures enjoy many benefits. Morale is improved, and the work environment more enjoyable, with increased teamwork, openness to new ideas and sharing of information. This activates learning and continuous improvement because of the free flow of information. It also helps attract and retain good employees.
Examples of companies benefiting from the positive effects of corporate culture include:

Southwest Airlines. Its relaxed culture can be traced back to unconventional CEO Herb Kelleher, who encourages informality and wants staff to have fun at their jobs.

Wal-Mart. Founder Sam Walton’s concern and respect for staff from the foundation of the company creates an environment of trust that persists to this day.

Hewlett Packard. Problems several years ago encouraged HP to change its culture; staff are required to formulate three personal and three professional goals each year

Cultural categories

But how to categorize culture? In 1988 Sonnenfeld defined four types:the academy (exposing members to different jobs so they can move within the organization). the club (which is concerned with people fitting in). the baseball team (with its well-rewarded stars who leave for better opportunities) and the fortress (concerned primarily with survival). Goffee and Jones’ (1996) model takes a different route, suggesting a corporate culture is determined by levels of sociability (friendliness among community members) and solidarity (a community’s ability to pursue shared objectives)

levels of sociability

levels of solidarity

the academy

the club

and the fortres

Dominant set of norms

Corporate vision

Geographical location

The history

Employees