This term paper is an elaboration on the subject of corporate culture. It explains
how a culture is created generally, what their functions are and how these can
be measured.
Compared with the cultures of different nations, different companies are also
different in their corporate cultures. A corporate culture is a framework for
human societies and relationships. This indicates how people have to behave in
this system and which standards or values have to be observed. Cultures are
dynamic processes that are constantly evolving and thus are incessantly
focused on improving themselves. With every change in the business
environment its corporate culture automatically changes too
The bases of culture are presented in detail in Chapter one. How a culture is
defined and which factors affect it forms the core of this section.
In the chapter two, the corporate culture of Audi is analyzed and explained.
The bases of this analysis are different indicators from different business units.
At the conclusion of the work the most important topics of the Audi corporate
culture are discussed.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1 The Basic of the Organisational Culture
1.1 Culture Construction
1.1.1 Culture Definition
1.1.2 Development to an Organisational Culture
1.2 The Significance of Organisational Culture
1.3 Factors of Organisational Culture
1.3.1 Influence and power factors of the corporate culture
1.3.2 Indicators and measures
2 The Audi AG
2.1 Description of the Indicators
2.1.1 Joint Targeting
2.1.2 Social Responsibility
2.1.3 Attitudes and Values
2.1.4 Company Supervision
2.1.5 Leadership behaviour
2.1.6 Entrepreneurship
2.1.7 Leadership continuity
2.1.8 Adaptation and Integration capability
2.1.9 Customer focus
2.1.10 Shareholder orientation
2.2 The Corporate culture of Audi AG
Objectives and Core Topics
This paper examines the fundamental concept of organisational culture, focusing on its creation, functions, and measurement, before applying these theoretical frameworks to a practical analysis of Audi AG. The primary research goal is to identify and explain the specific indicators and measures that define Audi's corporate culture.
- The theoretical foundations of corporate and organisational culture
- Methods for measuring and identifying cultural indicators in business
- A detailed case study of Audi AG's corporate structure and values
- Analysis of key business drivers: leadership, customer focus, and social responsibility
Excerpt from the Book
1.1.1 Culture Definition
A culture consists of patterns of thinking, feeling and acting, which are mainly acquired and passed on by symbols. They are the characteristical properties of groups of people. The essential core of company culture consists of traditional ideas and values approach with their specific position.
Through the concept of culture by Schein, the elements of a culture can simply be illustrated. He compares culture to an iceberg. Only one third of the entire mass of an iceberg is above the water table and therefore visible. The greater part of the mountain is in fact under water and is therefore invisible. Compared with an iceberg it is similar in a culture, for the greater part of a culture goes unconscious and is therefore invisible. By the iceberg-model it is shown clearly, which elements of a culture are conscious/visible, part-visible or unconscious/invisible.
Summary of Chapters
1 The Basic of the Organisational Culture: This chapter establishes the theoretical framework by defining organisational culture and illustrating its components through Schein’s iceberg model.
2 The Audi AG: This section provides a practical application of the previous theory by analyzing specific cultural indicators and measures at Audi AG, such as leadership behavior and customer focus.
Keywords
Organisational Culture, Audi AG, Corporate Governance, Leadership, Customer Focus, Social Responsibility, Change Management, Business Strategy, Schein Iceberg Model, Employee Development, Entrepreneurship, Shareholder Orientation, Indicators, Personnel Guidelines, Innovation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper explores the general concept of corporate culture and examines how it functions and can be measured, using Audi AG as a specific practical example.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include cultural definition, the significance of organisational culture, environmental influence factors, and specific performance indicators like leadership behavior and customer orientation.
What is the main research question of the document?
The core research question seeks to identify what the indicators and measures of a company's culture are, specifically through the lens of Audi AG.
Which scientific model is used to explain culture?
The author uses the "Iceberg Model" by Edgar Schein to illustrate the visible and invisible/unconscious elements of an organisational culture.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main part focuses on the practical indicators at Audi AG, including joint targeting, social responsibility, leadership behavior, entrepreneurship, and adaptation capabilities.
How is the corporate culture of Audi AG characterized?
Audi's culture is defined by social responsibility, continuous improvement, a strong customer focus, and a commitment to technical innovation and change.
What role does the "mood barometer" play at Audi?
It is an online survey instrument used by top management to receive feedback from various business areas regarding employee contentment.
How does the acquisition of Lamborghini demonstrate Audi's integration capability?
Audi successfully integrated its own production system into Lamborghini after the 1998 acquisition, addressing initial cultural differences through targeted training and education programs.
- Quote paper
- Katrin O. (Author), 2010, Organisation Culture - An insight in organisation culture of the Audi AG, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/183355
