An analysis of the Culture of an organization Essay

An analysis of the Culture of an organization - Essay Example Hofstede’s theoretical framework Hofstede’s cultural framework focuses on the effects of the national culture on the organizational culture. The theoretical framework is explained using the five dimensions in relation to national work related values. The dimensions encompass the â€Å"power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, and long-term verses short-term perspective† (Boonghee, Donthu, & Lenartowicz, 2011). According to the power distance concept, small power distance cultures prefer consultative and democratic power relations while large power distance cultures like the one in UK prefer non-democratic power relations. It is worth stating that Ben and Jerry exude a distinct relationship amidst the personnel and management. For example, the organization appreciates the need for a traditional, homemade approach to operations (Data Monitor, 2004). This means that people at the lower ranks acknowledge powers of others according to their hi gher formal and hierarchical position (Orr & Hauser, 2008). The individualism verses collectivism concept explains how much the cultural members perceive themselves apart from being members of the group. It is clear that the company supports the community. Additionally, it values its association with employees, and other stakeholders. This has significantly contributed to its progress within the societal set-up. This has allowed the organization to attract diverse persons. Data Monitor (2004) indicates that the product was made with love and care. This allows it to attract varied participants in the market. Analysis of Ben and Jerry highlights a mixture of the diverse roles within an organization. However, masculinity verses femininity concept explains the value given to males and females traditionally, the Ben and Jerry seems to have dynamic roles for both genders. In masculine culture, people value competitiveness and acquisition of wealth regardless of gender. However, the femini nity culture value relationships and life quality. These two concepts appear to have found a balance at Ben and Jerry. (Xiumei & Jinying, 2011). For example, the pictures presented by Data Monitor (2004) accords women and men similar advertising space. For example, men highlight the wrestling match while the community outreach is a preserve of the women. Indeed, this clear depicts the gender roles at the company. The uncertainty avoidance dimension explains how the cultural members address potential risks. For example, the company houses unconventional and non-conformist persons. However, this has changed to embrace changes and address risks. The stakeholders are not trying to behave according to the expectation of the society leaders. Data Monitor (2004) indicates that it focuses on mainstream, and shuns mass marketing that target on benefiting several persons. In organizations with such cultures, employees are devoted to their employers. Cultures that exude diminished levels of un certainty avoidance have embedded and flexible rules. In organizations with this culture, employees tend change their employers frequently (Shah, 2012). The long-term verses short-term explains the society’s attachment to its present and to its past. In the societies that are long-term oriented, individuals focus on the activities that affect the society’s future. For example, Ben and Jerry shifted from being unconventional to addressing varied needs making

The Current Citibank Status Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Current Citibank Status - Essay Example One day the Dow Jones is up, the next day it plunges down. Those who are holding out for economic stability seem to be optimistic that the highly controversial and recent national cash infusion of $3.5 trillion approved by Congress is going to put at least a mild set of spare brakes on the ride. Its primary purpose is to move working people in to more updated and viable industries based on changes in today's world; and hopefully, to get them spending and borrowing again. The government is also underwriting the virtual flotation devices for lending money to cash-strapped small businesses until a stalled economy can get moving. The only remaining question is in whether or not the average consumer is going to risk borrowing (or spending freely) in order to restart the flow once a checked economy makes its next move. What was "up slightly" on March 31 became a "multi-year low" on April 1. The high road seems to be a willingness to take the middle ground approach and state that consumer confidence is "relatively pessimistic," according to Scott Andron of the Miami Herald.[1] Most important in the consideration are the investors, national and global individuals and smaller corporate conglomerates who put up the money that underwrites the tangible assets so that loans can be withdrawn and used to sustain the economy. Without them, no one wins. U.S. officials have pressed their European counterparts to spend substantially more public money in an attempt to revive economic growth and global trade. Some countries, led by Germany, have strongly resisted, predicting that such a path could lead to unsustainable debts and runaway inflation. Luxembourg's prime minister, Jean-Claude Juncker, who heads a coordinating body of countries that use the euro currency, said European countries had already spent enough to jumpstart their economies. "The European stimulus plans are muscular, they are demanding, they are important in volume and in quality," Juncker said Wednesday in an interview with France's Europe 1 Radio. He said there was "no question" that the European Union would reject requests from Obama to spend more.[2] As recently as March of 2009, Citibank began to predict its own demise.[3] Michael Shedlock, a registered Investment Adviser for SitkaPacific stated [paraphrased] "Citigroup is essentially telling investors to bet against thema whole slew of financial stocks have been smashed to smithereens."[4] It is hard news to bear for a company that was once considered eternally solvent, particularly with all of the assets (and debts) that it acquired