CMI: Unit 603 Organizational Culture, Assignment, CU, UK

INTRODUCING ASSESSMENT BRIEF CMI 603

Being equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to manage and lead in a variety of organisational settings is essential if an individual and their organisation are to succeed.

Assessment brief CMI 603 has been designed to enable learners to evidence their understanding of culture and the beliefs, principles, ideologies, behaviours and values which have the power to influence an organisation’s success. Learners will be equipped with an understanding of the role and impact of culture within different organisational contexts and the approaches to make and sustain cultural change.

Assessment Task

LO1 Understand the role of culture within organisational contexts

1.1 Consider the impact of culture within different organisational 

1.2 Critically examine the factors which influence organisational culture

1.3 Critique the inter-relationship between culture and leadership

LO2 Understand approaches required to make and sustain cultural change

2.1 Discuss the approaches to make and sustain cultural change

THE ROLE OF CULTURE WITHIN ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXTS

Recognised definitions for culture define it as a ‘deep set of unconscious unwritten assumptions, shared throughout an organisation which are handed down over time and serve to sustain its identity’ (Schein, 1988, Johnson et al., 2011). Another definition for culture is simply, ‘The way we do things around here’ (Deal & Kennedy, 2000). This assessment task has been designed to enable managers and leaders to understand the role culture plays in different organisational contexts, what influences it, and the inter-relationship between culture and leadership.

TASK 1

You are required to write a report entitled: The role of culture within organisational contexts’

The report must include reference to theoretical concepts and examples of culture within different organisational
contexts. The report must be presented in THREE (3) sections.
1a. The impact of culture within different organisational contexts You are required to consider the impact of culture within different organisational contexts. (AC1.1)

1b. The factors which influence organisational culture You are required to critically examine the factors which influence organisational culture. (AC1.2)

1c. The inter-relationship between culture and leadership You are required to critique the inter-relationship between culture and leadership (AC1.3)

APPROACHES REQUIRED TO MAKE AND SUSTAIN CULTURAL CHANGE

There will be times within a professional manager and leaders’ career when they will be required to work with an organisation to make and sustain cultural change. This assessment task has been designed for the professional manager and leader to take an in-depth look at approaches to making and sustaining cultural change and the theoretical concepts and frameworks which underpin this activity

SCENARIO

ABX was an organisation founded in 1920 by a family who owned and managed it through the generations. Three months ago, ABX was bought out by a large public limited company called CAPITAL@ and the family ties to the business were cut. CAPITAL@ are well known for innovative approaches in using technology, managing staff and stakeholder relationships. They have recently been in the press as they are anticipating large profits for the coming financial year which will result in an increase in the dividends paid to its shareholders.

There was a dedicated staff team at ABX, many of whom had worked in the organisation for decades. An audit showed working practices and the use of technology was dated, however knowledge capital was significant and the reputation of those who worked for ABX was high. There is apathy towards any change (processes, procedures, new organisational vision). There is a perception that CAPITAL@ is driven by the use of aggressive outcomes.

 Existing staff are fearful of the future, and are not enthused by the prospect of being led by a new management and leadership team and are wary of working collaboratively with new colleagues etc. There is a feeling of tension and distrust between the new recruits and existing staff. There is an urgent need to bring together the divergent staff teams, unite them in a common purpose and ensure that this is maintained over time. You have been challenged to develop a proposal to make this happen.

TASK 2

Basing your response on the Scenario, or a cultural change within an organisation you know well or have researched, write a proposal entitled:
‘A proposal to make and sustain cultural change’ The proposal must include:

● The vision for cultural change and evaluation of current position
● An implementation plan to make and sustain cultural change
● Strategies which will support cultural change
● Strategies to monitor and evaluate outcomes
● Strategies to sustain cultural change (AC2.1)