Organisational Symbols: Reflections of Organisational Culture?

Authors

  • Norhafezah Yusof College of Arts and Sciences Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32890/ijms2009.16.1.7

Keywords:

Organisational symbols, ethnography, and organisational culture

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to discuss the role(s) of organisational symbols in representing organisational identity. To what extent do the so-called organisational symbols have significant impact on the employees in an organisation in identifying themselves with the organisational identity? Is it due to the top-down approach imposed by the top management? This paper is based on a six month ethnographic study conducted in selected Information Communication Technology (ICT) based corporations in one of the Malaysian Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) cities. From the fi ndings, there are three main organisational symbols which are related to organisational identity: identity cards, black sofa, and offi ce cubicles. The paper concludes that the construction of organisational symbols is a mix of a controlled culture (top-down) and to a certain degree is the participative activity of the employees. Nevertheless, the organisational symbols are embraced by the employees due to the need to be identified with an organisation.

 

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Published

30-06-2009

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2009): International Journal of Management Studies (IJMS) Vol. 16, No. 1 June 2009

Section

Articles

Research impact

Harvested 2026-09-24
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Identifiers DOI 10.32890/ijms2009.16.1.7