A shared belief about organizational behaviors.

Portrays culture in terms of consistency and clarity.

Portrays ambiguity as an inevitable and pervasive aspect of contemporary life.

A figure of speech that defines an unfamiliar experience in terms of another more familiar one.

A methodology for studying culture, rooted in anthropology, that requires the researcher to experience the culture firsthand and then recount his or her reflections on the experiences of the members of the culture.

A view of organizational culture that responds to management’s desires for increased competitiveness and employee satisfaction.

The stage in which people learn about a specific job and organization through communication.

A practice that “dramatizes” a culture’s basic values. It can range from an everyday routine to a more unique celebration.

A process involving surprise and sense making as employees learn and make sense of their role.

A tangible and physical feature of an organization.