7.5 Types of culture
Your textbook outlines the characteristics of entrepreneurial versus administrative cultures. Robbins et al. (1998) attempted to describe some typical types of cultures:
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academy
This is a place for steady climbers to become proficient in their jobs. New entrants are usually young tertiary qualified people who are carefully trained and steered through their career in a particular field. BHP is a classic academy so is Coca-Cola.
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club
This is a place where 'fitting in', loyalty, commitment and seniority are important. Managers are trained as generalists, unlike the academy. Government departments and the military fit into the club culture.
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baseball team
This is a place for the entrepreneurially orientated, the risk takers and innovators. Talented personnel of all ages and experiences are recruited and rewarded based on productivity. 'Star' performers are offered huge financial incentives and freedom and there is a considerable amount of 'head hunting' and job-hopping. Consulting firms and law firms are typically listed under this type of culture.
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fortress
This organisation may have once been any of the above but is now fighting for survival. Almost any large organisation could find itself in this culture. Large retailers, hotel chains, and oil and natural gas exploration firms are indicative of fortress cultures.
Culture operates on more than one level or an organisation is likely to have a number of subcultures . There are likely to be several cultures, reflected in different work groups or departments. Understanding this is extremely important for decision-making, as it may be necessary to consider different reactions from different work groups or teams.
Robbins et al. (1998) pointed out that most large organisations have a dominant culture and numerous sets of subcultures. The following subsections on dominant culture, subculture and core values, refers to the work of Robbins et al. (1998).