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Foundations of Organizational Culture

via Coursera

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Details

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Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Certificate Available
Effort

7 weeks, 1 hour a week
Sessions

Self-Paced
Level

Beginner
Subtitles

English

Found in

Overview

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Organizational culture shapes how teams collaborate, make decisions, and respond to change within modern workplaces. This course explores the foundations of organizational culture, helping learners understand how cultural structures influence organizational performance, leadership approaches, and business operations across global environments. Through practical examples and comparative case studies, learners will develop the ability to identify cultural patterns, assess organizational behaviors, and interpret macro-cultural influences in professional settings. The course provides actionable insights that can help improve communication, leadership effectiveness, and organizational adaptability in diverse industries. What sets this course apart is its combination of foundational cultural theory with real-world organizational examples from engineering, chemical, and government sectors. Learners gain exposure to both mature and developing organizational environments while understanding how culture impacts operational success. This course is designed for business professionals, managers, HR practitioners, organizational development specialists, and students interested in workplace culture and leadership. No advanced prior knowledge is required, though a basic understanding of business or organizational structures will be helpful. This course is part one of a three-course Specialization designed to provide a comprehensive learning pathway in this subject area. While it delivers standalone value and practical skills, learners seeking a more integrated and in-depth progression may benefit from completing the full Specialization. From Organizational Culture and Leadership. Copyright © 2017 by Edgar H. Schein. All rights reserved. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Syllabus

How to Define Culture in General

This module examines the visible and hidden aspects of culture within organizations, exploring how shared learning shapes group norms, values, and behaviors. Learners will discover how culture is formed, transmitted, and influences team dynamics and socialization processes.

The Structure of Culture

This module explores the visible and invisible layers of culture, from observable artifacts to deeply held assumptions. Learners will discover how these levels shape group behavior and influence interactions within organizations. Through metaphors and real-world examples, you'll gain tools to analyze and interpret cultural dynamics.

A Young and Growing U.S. Engineering Organization

This module explores the development of organizational culture within a young engineering company, using real-world case studies to illustrate key concepts. Learners will investigate how artifacts, values, and underlying assumptions shape behavior and decision-making as organizations evolve. By analyzing these cultural elements, students will gain practical tools for assessing and understanding workplace dynamics.

A Mature Swiss-German Chemical Organization

This module explores the unique cultural characteristics of mature organizations, with a focus on how artifacts, values, and assumptions influence behavior and decision-making. Learners will investigate the interplay between organizational and national cultures, using real-world examples from Swiss-German companies. By the end, you will understand how culture evolves as organizations grow and mature.

A Developmental Government Organization in Singapore

This module explores how organizational culture shapes and is shaped by the Economic Development Board (EDB) in Singapore, using nested cultural paradigms as a framework. Learners will compare the EDB's unique cultural model with broader organizational and national cultures, and examine how these dynamics contribute to effective functioning.

Dimensions of the Macro-Cultural Context

This module explores key frameworks and dimensions used to analyze macro-level cultural differences, such as time orientation, space, human motivation, and relationships. Learners will gain tools to assess cultural DNA and understand how these factors influence problem-solving and organizational behavior across societies.

A Focused Way of Working with Macro Cultures

This module examines effective strategies for fostering cross-cultural collaboration within organizations. Learners will explore the concept of 'cultural islands,' focused dialogue techniques, and frameworks for navigating authority and intimacy across diverse teams. Practical approaches for building trust and understanding in multicultural environments are emphasized.