Cultural theory and organizations: Analytical method and cases

Within the context of the ongoing debate on the understanding of organizati onal culture, this paper presents a cultural theory of organizations (grid/ group analysis) originating in anthropology. It is a generic model which pr oposes a conceptual framework for comparing organizations, organizing and c hange. The model identifies particular configurations of social relationshi ps, dictating 'ways of life' (organizational cultures) which are both exclu sive and differentiating. Three active cultures land one passive) are ident ified: hierarchical, sectarian, market land fatalistic). Two case studies d emonstrating the descriptive power of the model are presented. One is a met a-organizational analysis of a large, complex organization: the Israeli Arm ed Forces. The other is an Israeli high-tech industrial enterprise undergoi ng a major organizational and cultural change. Finally, comparisons with ot her typological organizational models, and current cross-cultural theories of organization are discussed.