thermotron Organisational culture manager training

Organisational culture

A popular definition of organisational culture is "the way things are done around here"

1 and a recent public inquiry described culture as an organisation's "personality – sometimes overt but often unstated – that guides the decision-making process at all levels of an organisation". 2 Underlying most definitions and descriptions of organisational culture is the idea that "Official policies specify what management wants to happen. Corporate culture determines what actually happens, and which rules are obeyed, bent or ignored." 3 An organisation might espouse particular stated values but its culture will show its true values.

How can organisational culture help to prevent corruption?

The importance of an organisation's culture to the prevention of workplace corruption lies in the effect it can have on the behaviour of employees. If an organisation has a strong culture employees can feel pressure to comply with the prevailing culture and behave in the same way as most other people in the organisation. If that culture – or "the way things are done around here" – allows, or even rewards, improper or corrupt behaviour then corrupt conduct is more likely to occur. Conversely, if the culture is one that encourages and rewards compliance with policies and the organisation's values then corruption will be less likely to occur. Senior management and line managers are in the best position to influence the ethical culture of an organisation by promoting and enforcing policies and accountability controls. Case studies