need to identify an organization of your choice to work with for this project, and then you will use the same organization for the Change Model Project.
The primary purpose of this project is to give you hands-on experience with organizational culture assessment. The project will involve doing fieldwork using semi-structured interviews to examine and define an organization’s cultural values and describe how their culture affects the way they operate and perform their objectives. The secondary purpose of the project is to start thinking about whether the organization needs a culture change, and how that can be achieved.
You will choose and contact an organization for this project. You should pick your organization as soon as possible, as it will take time to arrange interviews. You will conduct interviews with at least three (3) members of the organization but preferably five (5); these people should be in an administrative or managerial capacity. Based on this data and the frameworks included in course material, you will identify the culture of this organization. You can choose any kind and size of organization that is interesting to you. You can collect data through phone interviews and electronic communication tools. However, I would recommend face-to-face interaction for the majority of the interviews and information gathering.
You will ask 10 questions; the first six are required, and then you may choose the last four from a list of questions provided, from internet sources, or choose your own. Be sure to indicate which additional questions you asked. You must ask the same questions of every interviewee.
Your project report should be addressed to the senior management of the organization. The analysis should cover:
1. Executive summary (this is similar to an abstract and explains what the report is about, i.e. it should be a summary of your findings) – ½ to one page long). 10 points
2. Brief description of the organization and reasons for choosing this organization 10 points
3. Brief description of the participants interviewed 10 points
4. Critical analysis of the culture. Remember, organizational culture represents the basic assumptions, values, and norms of the organization; it is “how things are done around here.” Be sure to include which questions you asked, how you analyzed your data, and how you came up with your conclusions. Provide examples or direct quotes from your data to illustrate your points. 60 points
Undergraduate students – 4-6 pages of text plus a title page and reference page, all APA style. (10 points)
Graduate students ONLY – 6-8 pages of text plus a title page and reference page, all APA style. At least 6 scholarly references on culture change assessment should be included and cited in the paper. (10 points)
Questions for Organizational Interviews
• Conduct research on the organization you selected so you will be knowledgeable about it.
• First ask the person you are meeting with to give you a general overview of the organization, then themselves.
Then ask your questions. Always ask the first six questions below, then you can select four other questions to go with it or you may search the Internet to come up with four other questions. You will need to ask the same questions of each person you interview.
Required Questions
1. What are your mission, vision, and core values?
2. What is the culture of the organization?
3. What are the major goals or objectives of the organization?
4. How does the organization currently perform with respect to these goals/objectives?
5. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the organization?
6. What barriers do you believe stand in the way of good performance?
Optional Questions
1. Do you have an organizational chart? Is it hierarchical (vertical) or flat?
2. What gets noticed and rewarded?
3. If you have had an audit or accreditation recently, what did you learn from it?
4. What areas do you need to redevelop or/and develop?
5. What is your employee retention rate? Why is it higher than you wish? (or, how do you keep it so low?)
6. Are relationships healthy throughout the organization? Why or why not?
7. Does feedback flow smoothly throughout the organization? Why or why not?
8. Is destructive behavior a problem in the organization? Why or why not? What are some examples?
9. Are trust levels high among members? Why or why not?
10. Do people have a sense of loyalty to the organization? Why or why not?
11. Do you involve your employees in the decision making process? Why or why not? Has this been successful? Why or why not?
12. In what ways does your organization ensure and maintain employee involvement in order to keep them focused on their job?
13. What qualities does this organization want your employees to possess?