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Organisational culture in business

Writers on culture

2.1 Schein

Schein argues that the first leaders of a company create its culture. Future leaders
will only be selected if they support this organisational culture.

Schein further commented that if leaders are to lead, it is essential that they
understand the culture of the organisation. In order to try and define culture, Schein
described three levels:

Artefacts – these are the aspects of culture that can easily be seen e.g.
1 the way people dress

Espoused values – these are the strategies and goals of an
2
organisation, including company slogans

Basic assumptions and values – these are difficult to identify as they are
3 unseen and exist mainly at unconscious level

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