Workplace culture can be defined as a pattern of basic assumptions that a group learns as it solves problems, which works well enough to be considered valid and taught to new members. A workplace culture can be found in every organization and functions to reduce conflict, regulate behavior, reduce doubt, and motivate employees. Prior to an internship, the author was concerned about adapting to an unfamiliar workplace culture but found the culture at Step by Step to be easygoing and open, with problems openly discussed and different viewpoints appreciated.
2. What is a Workplace Culture?
• According to Edgar Schein workplace and organisational culture can be
defined as
• “a pattern of basic assumptions that the group learned as it solved its problems of
external adaption and internal integration, that has worked well enough to be
considered valid and, therefore, to be taught to new members as the correct way to
perceive, think and feel in relation to those problems.”
• (Schein, 1985, p. 9)
3. Where is a Workplace Culture Found?
• According to Peterson (2002) a workplace culture can be found in every
organisation.
• Much research has been conducted on the theory of workplace cultures including
the work of:
• Martins and Martins
• Arnold
• Schein
• Brown
• Harrison
4. What are the Functions of Workplace Culture?
• Brown (1998) suggests that workplace culture can
• Reduce Conflict
• Regulate
• Reduce Doubt
• Motivate
• Encourage Competitiveness
5. My Views Prior to Internship
• Prior to beginning my internship, I was concerned that I may find difficulty in
adapting to the workplace culture of the organisation as it was a new and unfamiliar
environment.
• I worried that I may have different values and morals to those of the organisation
and that this may inhibit my learning experience.
• I believe the hardest part of adapting to the workplace culture of a learning
organisation, is to understand the perceptions within the organisation and what
drives particular behaviours, as these are not clearly established in written
documents such as mission statements .
6. The Workplace Culture in Step by Step
• I found the atmosphere in Step by Step very easy going, particularly in the
morning time.
• Typical mornings would consist of the project workers working on their
computers planning and evaluating the programmes.
• Lunch time could be taken at any time you wished for an hour – this was
very new to me having come from college with set lunch times and my part-
time job with rostered breaks
7. (cont.)
• The atmosphere was also very open and inviting in Step by Step
• I felt comfortable to state my opinions and to ask many questions even
though I was new into the work place
• When problems arose within the project, my supervisor would discuss the
issues with me, what actions were going to be taken and why. This helped me
to deepen my understanding of the process of problem solving used in Step
by Step and I tried apply this process when other problems arose.
8. Reflection after Completing Internship
• Overall from my experience in Step by Step I have seen that many organisations
have different ways of dealing with issues.
• I was able to compare the process used for problem solving in Step by Step to those
I have experienced elsewhere in my life such as my part-time job and college.
• I have learned that it is important to be open and adaptable to new ways of
working.
• I also believe I should appreciate others opinions and acknowledge that there may
be an easier or better way of doing things.
9. References
• Brown, A. (1998). Organisational Culture. London: Financial Times Pitman
Publishing
• Peterson, K. D. (2002). Positive or Negative. Journal of Staff Development,
10-15.
• Schein, E. (1985). Organizational Culture and Leadership: A Dynamic
View. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.