The Myth of Organizational Culture - by J W Traphagan (Paperback)

About the Book

""This work is a creative and new approach to thinking about how organizations work. Instead of relying on a vague and often poorly defined concept-culture-the book shows how organizations lack cultures but instead have paradigms that are embedded in larger cultural contexts. These contexts significantly influence how individuals within organizations think about and respond to organizational power structures, as well as organizational artifacts like mission and value statements. Culture cannot simply be used to socially engineer collective behaviors like teamwork and loyalty-it is something that people bring to the table and that can just as easily be a source of conflict as a source of unity. The book also shows how, rather than focusing on culture, leaders should focus on understanding issues related to power when considering organizational operation and potential directions for change. A radical departure from much work related to organizational dynamics, this book is an important read for organizational leaders and those interested in organizational change."-Provided by publisher"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

This book's creative and new approach to understanding how organizations work describes the embedding of organizational paradigms in larger cultural contexts. These contexts significantly influence how individuals within organizations think about and respond to organizational power structures, as well as organizational items such as mission and value statements. Culture cannot simply be used to socially engineer collective behaviors like teamwork and loyalty, as culture can just as easily be a source of conflict as well as a source of unity.

As the author discusses, leaders, rather than focusing on culture, should seek to understand issues related to power as they consider organizational operations and potential directions for change. A radical departure from much work related to organizational dynamics, this book offers invaluable insights for organizational leaders and others interested in organizational change.

Review Quotes

"Dr. John Traphagan's The Myth of Organizational Culture is a masterful examination of why the notion of corporate culture is far murkier-and much more amusing-than most would like to admit. ... [A] blend of sharp insight and wry observation infuses every page of this book. ...essential reading for anyone seeking a deeper, more nuanced-and at times, delightfully irreverent-understanding of the interplay between culture and paradigm."-Rob Andrews, chairman and CEO, Allen Austin Consultants

"This will take someone who has only read mainstream works on organizational culture outside their comfort zone to good effect. The Myth of Organizational Culture scores well-aimed hits on misconceptions and overuse of 'culture'... Well worth a read by practitioners as well as academics."-Ken Wisian Ph.D., Major General USAF (ret)

J.W. Traphagan's engaging and insightful new book, The Myth of Organizational Culture, is a refreshing and much-needed corrective in the field of organizational analysis. With disciplinary expertise, Traphagan demonstrates that 'culture' is not a thing that organizations have, own, or can socially engineer, but rather is a process of sensemaking and adaptation within the larger cultural contexts in which organizations operate. Distinguishing what culture is from pop-management approaches to 'measuring' and 'changing' organizational culture is a necessary and brave first step in breaking the cycle of futility that has plagued organizations for so long. Traphagan helps readers understand that organizations are better understood as paradigms made up of assumptions, practices, and commitments that are at times contested and that are laden with power. Crucially, by removing the rose-colored glasses and challenging the status quo regarding what organizational culture is, and isn't, he provides a more pragmatic and strategic way for leaders to adapt and thrive than more mainstream and normative approaches. His detailed and first-hand exposition of how Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) struggled to do this is an ethnographic cautionary tale from which all organizational leaders can learn. The Myth of Organizational Culture is a must read for leaders and managers who are serious about finally cracking the perennial culture dilemma."-Andrew M. Jones, PhD, founding partner at Executive Anthropology

About the Author

J. W. Traphagan, PhD, is professor emeritus in the human dimensions of organizations program at the University of Texas at Austin and affiliated faculty with the organizational dynamics program at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of numerous books and scholarly articles and lives in the Metropolitan Boston area.