To analyze and answer the above question, the author of the assignment has divided the assignment into different sections. The first section will deal with the important role that a culture of an organization plays during strategy planning and execution stage. The second section will talk about the background of two companies (South West Airlines and Hewlett Packard Company) in question. The third section will be a continuation of second section in relation to the traditional and prevalent culture in the two companies and what role did the leader play in company's organization culture. The last section will be a brief summary of the entire assignment with highlights on few key points explored during the research work.
[...] In contrast to HP's culture, South west airlines had a totally different culture wherein employees were given the freedom to talk, share and participate. No restriction on uniforms to flight attendants. The culture was that of a loving family with friendliness, familiarity, lots of contest and events to mingle with each other. The focus of any management decisions was always its employees, employees were given their individuality to bring innovative ideas and put them into action. One of the very important differences in culture between the two companies is that South West Airlines was there to build relationships with its employees, customers and shareholders. [...]
[...] Section III: Culture at both the organizations in context Initially both the organization Hewlett Packard and South West Airlines started on very similar culture like putting more emphasis on people, team work, open door management policy, flexible working hours etc. HP and South West Airlines had the same culture of not laying off even the under performers, but giving them time to improve their performance. Both the companies had the same bonus policy of sharing the profits with the employees. [...]
[...] Kelleher at South west airlines has played a very important role in creating and managing the culture of the organization. Phil Condit, former president at Boeing claims “Kelleher as the Shaman of the South West Airlines company”. His job is to tell stories again and again to nurture the behavior of the employees which finally gets imbibed into the fabric of South West Airlines Culture. Another important skill of Kelleher was that he was able to make employees identify themselves with their leaders. [...]
[...] Where as, a true leader is one who takes the responsibility if there is a failure and shares the reward during the time of success. Section IV: Conclusion to the assignment Culture is seen to be as that thing that helps employees of an organization be connected. It comprises of beliefs, knowledge, rules, rituals, patterns, norms, and structures. It is not one or mixture of two, it is a combination of infinite things. When a leader plans a strategy, organization culture plays very important part in it. [...]
[...] Airline companies that could not put up with the cost started laying off employees and cutting on daily flights. This not only shows a different organizational culture but the particular influence of leadership that plays in shaping an organization's culture. One of the founders of South West Airlines says that culture is something that keeps us connected, it comprises of our beliefs, expectations, rules, rituals, patterns, symbols and structures. Culture is not one thing or mixture of two rules; it's a combination of thousand things or more. [...]
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