Chapter 3

Four functions of Organizational Culture
Chapter 3 discussed the four functions that an organization's fulfills. They are the following: organizational identity, collective commitment, social system stability, and sense-making device. These four functions will allow for an organization's culture to work at its highest potential. The book talks aboyt Southwest as an example of a company with a good organizational culture. Southwest has achieved 37 years of profitability and was ranked by Fortune in the top five of the Best Companies to work for in America from 1997 to 2000. Southwest gives its members an organizational identity by making the workplace a fun place to be, providing a fund based on voluntary contributions for distribution to employees who are experiencing serious personal difficulties, provides great opportunities for women and Hispanics, and practices good business ethics. It provides a collective commitment by staying true to its mission statement and has been ranked number one in fewest customer complaints since 1987. Another function of organizational culture is promoting social system stability and Southwest achieves this function by having fun, having parties and celebrating, and giving performance based awards to motivate its employees. Organizations help shape behavior by helping its members make sense of their surroundings and Southwest does this great. It lets its employees know exactly why they are doing what they are doing and why, and motivate their employees to be the best which in turn produces profit.
I found an article that discussed the importance of culture within a company especially during this time of economic downfall. It talked about a the use of group work in a community-based outpatient children's mental health agency to respond to this downfall in the economy. It discusses three specific threats that were troubling the company and how the group work helped to organize, educate, and activate its employees to respond and counter the threats and build a culture of advocacy.

MALEKOFF, ANDREW. "The Use of Group Work to Fight Acute External Threats to a Community-Based Organization During Harsh Economic Times." Social Work with Groups 33.1 (2010): 4-22. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 1 Feb. 2010.