Economic Models - Convex Optimization

138 Victoria Miroshnik
2. Corporate Performance, the Highest Stage of National
and Organizational Culture: A Synthesis
Culture is multidimensional, comprising of several layers of inter-related
variables. As society and organizations are continuously evolving, there is
no theory of culture valid at all times and locations. The core values of a
society (macro-values (MAVs)) can be analyzed by asking the following
questions:
(a) What are the relationships between human and nature? (b) What are
the characteristics of innate human nature? (c) What is the focus regarding
time — whether past, future, or present, or a combination of all these?
(d) What are the modalities of human activity, whether spontaneous or
introspective or result-oriented or a combination of these? (e) What is the
basis of relationship between one man and another in the society?
In the structure of the NC, there are certain micro or individual values,
which include sense of belonging, excitement, fun and enjoyment,
warm relationship with others, self-fulfilment, being well-respected, and a
sense of accomplishment, security, and self-respect (Kahle, et al., 1988).
Although Hofstede (1990; 1993) has the opinion that the perceived practices
are the roots of the OC rather than values, most researchers have accepted
the importance of values in shaping cultures in several organizations.
Combinations of micro-values (MIVs) and macro-values (MAVs) can
give rise to an OC, given certain meso-values (MEV) or organizational
values, which are specific for a country. Meso-values are certain codes of
behavior, which influences the future, and the expected behavior of the
members of the society, if they want to belong to the main stream. These
vary from one society to another, as the expectations of different societies,
as products of historical experiences, religious, and moral values are
different.
Cultural values are shared ideas about what is good, desirable, and
justified; these are expressed in a variety of ways. Social order, respect for
traditions, security, and wisdom are important for the society, which is like
an extended family.
According to Schein (1997), OC emerges from some common assumptions
about the organization, which the members share as a result of their
experiences in that organization. These are reflected in their pattern of
behaviors, expressed values, and observed artefacts. Organizational culture
provides accepted solutions to known problems, which the members
learn and feel about and forms a set of shared philosophies, expectations,