E-Book Overview
This book presents a new approach to organizational culture based in the ontologies of process metaphysics, complexity theory, and social constructionism. The author shows that most existing definitions of organizational culture are inadequate and argues that organizational culture is socially constructed, building on Schein's idea that culture emerges as a dynamic response to problem solving by the organization’s members. Through several case studies, he demonstrates that neglecting an organization's culture is responsible for the failures of organizational change efforts and shows how using this new model will lead to improved results. This book will be a valuable resources to anyone interested in organizational studies.
E-Book Content
Jim MacQueen
The Flow of Organizational Culture New Thinking and Theory for Better Understanding and Process
The Flow of Organizational Culture “Organizational culture is the ever-evolving product of dynamic webs that connect individuals and groups. Jim’s book awakens us to contemplate this flow in everyday life … Thought-provoking and profoundly skill-building. This book is for all system-change professionals who want to deepen their conceptualization of healthy human systems, and put their participatory values into practice.” —Sam Kaner, Founder and Executive Director of Community at Work; Author, Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision-Making “In this well-written, expert, and important book, Jim MacQueen gives us unique and coherent access to Organizational Culture. Why is this important? For both the practitioner and scholar within our OD professional selves, a deep and useful grasp of Culture’s sense/meaning and application/theory, like breathing, is essential to our own effectiveness. I found learning, challenges to my thinking, and new perspectives on many pages. Future readers should have the same experience.” —George H. Schofield, Developmental and Organizational Psychologist, Writer, Consultant, Speaker; Author, How Do I Get There from Here? (named a Must Read by NASDAQ, 2017) “The amorphous concept we call organizational culture is truly a flowing, ever-changing, complex adaptive system. MacQueen blends theories, examples, consulting tips, and even scenes from Shakespeare into a clear narrative for practical application, to help consultants and leaders shape the shared understandings of individuals in the groups they serve into new and better cultures for the changing world around us.” —Eric Sanders, Organization Development Economist, LLC; Faculty, Elmhurst College, USA
Jim MacQueen
The Flow of Organizational Culture New Thinking and Theory for Better Understanding and Process
Jim MacQueen InFlow OD Bethel, AK, USA
ISBN 978-3-030-25684-5 ISBN 978-3-030-25685-2 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25685-2 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2020 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or