Cultural artifacts

Definition

Cultural artifacts are the tangible objects, symbols, and signs that represent and communicate the values, beliefs, and behaviors of a particular organization or group. These artifacts can take many forms, including physical items, visual symbols, and even rituals or practices that embody the underlying culture of an organization. Understanding cultural artifacts helps in recognizing the different types of organizational culture, the presence of subcultures, and the significance of symbols in shaping perceptions within the organization.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cultural artifacts can include everything from logos, dress codes, office layouts, to rituals like meetings or celebrations that reflect the organization's values.
2. These artifacts play a crucial role in reinforcing the identity of an organization and can influence employee behavior and attitudes.
3. Different departments or teams within an organization may develop their own unique artifacts, contributing to the formation of subcultures.
4. Symbols found in cultural artifacts often serve as a means of communication about what is valued in the organization and can impact how employees feel about their work environment.
5. When organizations undergo change, cultural artifacts may evolve to reflect new priorities or shifts in values, impacting employee engagement and morale.

Review Questions

• How do cultural artifacts contribute to the understanding of different types of organizational culture?
  • Cultural artifacts provide a visible representation of an organization's underlying culture. By examining these artifacts, one can identify the core values and norms that characterize different organizational cultures. For instance, a company with open office spaces and casual dress codes might signify a more collaborative and innovative culture, while formal dress codes and closed offices could indicate a hierarchical culture focused on tradition and structure.
• In what ways can cultural artifacts signify the presence of subcultures within an organization?
  • Cultural artifacts often differ between departments or teams within an organization, showcasing the diversity of subcultures that can exist. For example, a tech team may adopt informal meeting styles and modern decor, while a finance department might use traditional meeting formats with formal attire. These differences in artifacts illustrate how distinct subcultures develop their own identity while still being part of the larger organizational culture.
• Evaluate how changes in cultural artifacts can impact employee engagement during organizational transitions.
  • Changes in cultural artifacts during organizational transitions can significantly affect employee engagement. When new symbols or practices are introduced, they can either align with or contradict existing values, leading to varying levels of acceptance among employees. For instance, if an organization shifts to remote work but fails to adapt its rituals to include virtual team-building activities, employees might feel disconnected. Conversely, embracing new digital tools as cultural artifacts can enhance collaboration and maintain engagement during transitions.

Related terms

organizational culture:

The shared values, beliefs, and behaviors that shape how members of an organization interact with each other and with external stakeholders.

norms: The unwritten rules and expectations about how members of an organization should behave and interact in various situations.

values: The core principles or standards that guide the behavior and decision-making of individuals within an organization.