Definitions

In view of the divergence in biases, assumptions and perceptions a few definitions and perceptions are presented below.

▽Schein: the total of all common

and naturally experienced

assumptions, which a group has

learned in the course of its

existence.

▽Mole: the way we do things

here!

▽Hofstede: How members of an

organisation relate to one

another, their work and the

outside world in comparison to

other organisations.

▽ Trompenaars: Basic to

understanding culture in

organisations is that we can

define culture as a series of rules

and methods, which an

organisation has evolved to deal

with the regular problems that it

faces.

This series of e-books is based on Vroom’s perception of culture as an institution and the triangle model (see Culture 1). Against this backdrop organisational culture is the way of thinking, acting and feeling of the group of people in an organisation. In addition, the influence of stakeholders (from suppliers to customers) on the organisational culture in question should also be taken into account.

Societies, organisations, and individuals represent the gardens, bouquets, and flowers of social science. Our research has shown that the three are related and part of the same social reality If we want to understand our social environment, we cannot fence ourselves into the confines of one level only: we should be prepared to count with all three. Hofstede (2010, p. 368)