Westrum Organizational Culture

Westrum Organizational Culture The organizational culture predicts the information flow in an organization. Good information answers the questions that need to be answered in a timely manner and the receiver can effectively use it. Good information flow is critical to be safe and effective in high-tempo and high-consequence environments. Culture Pathological Bureaucratic Generative Description Fear...
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Westrum Organizational Culture


The organizational culture predicts the information flow in an organization. Good information answers the questions that need to be answered in a timely manner and the receiver can effectively use it. Good information flow is critical to be safe and effective in high-tempo and high-consequence environments.


Culture Pathological Bureaucratic Generative
Description Fear and threat make people hoard, withhold or distort information for political or personal reasons Protect departments that maintain their “turf,” and their own rules Focus on the mission and the performance to accomplish their goals
Orientation Power oriented Rule oriented Performance-oriented
Cooperation Low cooperation Modest cooperation High cooperation
Approach to the messenger Messengers “shot” Messengers neglected Messengers trained
Risks handling Responsibilities shirked Narrow responsibilities Risks are shared
Bridging Bridging discouraged Bridging tolerated Bridging encouraged
Failure handling Failure leads to scapegoating Failure leads to justice Failure leads to inquiry
Approach to novelties Novelty Crushed Novelty leads to problems Novelty implemented