Diagnosing and Changing Organizational Culture - Personal Statement Example

ment of Purpose I am seeking admission to the Business department of the MMU I graduated from the American High School in Bahrain with an American diploma. I stand at the cross roads of my educational life, and am in the process of choosing an educational program that would catapult me into a full-fledged career. As I scour through lists of universities, courses and programs, I looked for a course and university which fit within my interest areas. With some effort spent on researching these options, I have decided to study Business Management. With my interests in accounting and finance, and having heard from many personal references about the excellence of the course and the reputation of this department, I am convinced I have made the right choice. In the last year, which was my Foundation year, I have learnt a good many things. Apart from an insight into subjects like Economics, Business Development and Accountancy, I developed a spirit of enquiry. I learnt how to do proper research through formulating an appropriate research design and methodology, and preparing instruments of data collection. I learnt to analyze and interpret data. I have learnt how important it is to keep abreast of the current developments in the world and in my field, and have gotten into the habit of regularly reading newspapers. I’ve also learnt how important it is make presentations correctly and in a manner that communicates to my target audience. Making presentations is the order of the day in the corporate world. It is not just a skill, but is often even taken to the level of an art. Therefore this has been a very valuable competence that I have picked up. I have bettered myself on the general reading front. Besides, both my individual working skills and team working skills have improved a great deal. I have learnt that people will always need to work together, and that being a team player is as important as working efficiently on an independent basis. I’ve also learnt to meet assignment deadlines. In the last year, I created a portfolio containing nine sections, which has been the result of a considerable amount of work through the year. The topics that I chose to work on were interesting but they were also challenging - both in terms of depth of detail as well as in dealing with a diverse range of themes. On the research about technology in business, I chose to work on the theme of smart phones. On the research about developments in the energy sector, I chose the oil industry. On the research about career ambitions on an organization of my choice, I chose the American Express. In my research about developing economies, I chose India. In my research on food industries, I chose dairy products. In my group presentation from the Heilbroner textbook, I chose the Heresies of John Maynard Keynes. In this connection, let me also mention here some of my personality traits. When interested in the subject, I am able to go that extra mile and do whatever it takes to complete the task successfully. My career goal is to become an auditor; and I am convinced that this course will give me an edge when it comes to achieving my professional goals. In the process of going through lists of courses and universities, I also depended on personal references. I was able to get appropriate feedback about the university and department from many of my cousins who have studied at MMU and recommended the university to me. It is in the above context that I requesting admission to the (name of the course) at the Business department of MMU University. Analysis of “The Worldly Philosophers: The Lives, Times And Ideas of The Great Economic Thinkers” by Robert L. Heilbroner and its relevance today In an ever-changing world, adaptation to change is the buzzword. “No organization in the twenty-first century would boast about its constancy, sameness or status quo compared to ten years ago…The frightening certainty that traditionally accompanied major organizational change has been superseded by the frightening uncertainty now associated with staying the same” (Cameron & Quinn 2006). In this context, the above book by Heilbroner is very relevant, as it gives a basic understanding of all the major economic systems that have formed the foundation of society in various parts of the world at various points in time. It throws light on the creation and distribution of wealth, which forms the crux of the economics of society. In giving detailed analysis of the great economists and their theories, the book enables us to understand how the current market economy came to be. The book enlightens us on the origins of the economic revolution, bringing home a very basic fact that if the interdependence of human workers should fail at any vital point in economy, the world would suffer. Earlier, such a system was avoided because of tradition or command; today all this is changed on account of the economic revolution, or the market system. It explains the market system as motivated by a single factor- the human urge to acquire goods. Reflecting on this statement, I realize that the advertising industry is thriving today precisely because of this market system, and it exploits the human urge to acquire goods. This system has created a new paradigm and has literally transformed the western world. Understanding these economic theories is crucial to comprehending how world economies function today. Reflecting on how economies function, the reason why it is important to understand them is because, for any organization, it is important to maintain sustainability in business. I am able to identify with Keynesian economics, which advocates a mixed economy. In this case, even if the role of the private sector is significant, the role of public sector is substantial too. Having learnt all these theories also makes me think about its impact on the world, both present and future; not only on the economy, but also on the environment. This is a time when the environment and development debate is stronger than ever. What is the impact of the market system then? In exploiting the human urge to acquire goods, would it not, at some point, also deplete environmental resources? Would we need to modify this system by providing checks and balances? This book also explains why economic prediction is a difficult proposition, compared to scientific predictions. This is because society is always in a state of flux, and so its behavior is harder to predict. Who knows, just as the market system once appeared as a new kind of economic theory, other theories might emerge in future, as societies transform themselves into what we could not have imagined before. What I also understand from this book is that economic theories have greatly depended on social, political and even religious developments of the time, underscoring that no theory emerges in isolation. Economic theories may appear to have a simplistic basis, but eventually develop into complex systems. These realizations are of great importance to the present day global scenario, and so this book continues to remain useful and relevant to not just students, but anyone who wants to understand economics- both past and present. Analysis of “Understanding Organizations” by Charles B.Handy and its relevance today All organizations are part of our everyday life, in what ever capacity they may function. In this text, Charles Handy argues that understanding needs and motivations of the people within them is the key to successful organizations. This concept finds echo in Stuart-Kotze’s argument: “We live in an organized society. Companies, professional firms, government departments- are all organizations – but so are local sports leagues, church groups, political parties, trades unions and baseball teams. Getting people to play and work together is one of the outputs of the study of organizational behavior” (Stuart-Kotze 2010). Organizations always have to brace themselves for change, and this is a necessity. It is the more relevant in the current situations such as the economic recession, when organizational profiles change, and it is their workforces often bear the brunt of this survival strategy. This book throws light on many key issues in organizational management- like culture, motivations, leadership, role playing, coordination and consultation. When we become aware of the roles that the above factors play, we will learn how to find new solutions to familiar problems. In times of economic recession, when resources are strained, it is all the more important to know how to make organizations work in a more efficient and productive manner. It helps organizations to design and structure its work, and also plan for the future. In recession times, this acquires significance because, when organizations are inefficient, then they will live at a lower level of prosperity than otherwise. Another reason why understanding organizations is important today is because the workforce is also global in nature, and culture too plays a very important part. ‘Culture’ deals both with organizational culture; and well as the fact that the workforce is made up of people from all parts of the world, with different socio-cultural roots. So it is important to see that there is enough understanding and communication between them for the organization to function effectively. Understanding organizations is also important because each one has a goal, or a collective sense of purpose. Often, organizations even work along with one another in order to complete a task or a mission, in order that each one’s competencies are utilized, and at the same time, their drawbacks are minimized. So, in cases where organizations work together, it is important for one to understand the other in order to function in a smooth manner. The term ‘management’ also has taken on a new meaning. Although we still have managers, their roles have changed. More important, many employees are now expected to manage themselves. It is important to know how to manage situations before they spiral into a conflict. Instead, people’s efforts should be channeled into productive directions. Further, in times of recession, specially, “organizations reduce layers of management and delegate more responsibilities to the rest of the employees...We all need to understand organizational behavior and to master the practices that influence organizational events” (Khailiza 2007) These are some of the reasons why Charles B. Handy’s “Understanding Organizations” is as relevant today as it was when it was written. Conclusion All said and done, the above books provide an overview into how world economics function today. Without transactions of goods and services, and without monetary transactions, society would not be in a position to satisfy its needs. The different methods through which these have been achieved in the past and the way it is done in present-day societies is well laid out. It helps us appreciate the kind of transformations that can occur in human thought, and in the way human beings understand and conduct business. Equally important is the human beings’ capacity to work together to achieve their goals. It goes without saying that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts and this is true of relationships within organizations as well. It helps achieve what many people, in their individual capacities might not be able to do, but together, they can. This is the reason why understanding organizations, its goals and culture is so important, because this is what determines why people work together, and also how they are able to do it. Overall, these textbooks have really given me a new world-view that I did not have before. I hope to be able to use the knowledge and insights provided by these books in my further studies, and later on, in my career. Works Cited Cameron, Kim S. & Quinn, Robert E., 2006. Diagnosing and Changing Organizational Culture: Based on the Competing Values Framework. , 4th ed. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Business Management Series, p. 1. [Online] Available at: http://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=blRwWniTsUAC&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq=diagnosing+and+changing+organizational+culture+cameron+quinn&ots=5khaXxEWwC&sig=z8rwpq8xWN6s76510-RAZFpjqA4#v=onepage&q=&f=false. [Accessed 11 March 2010] Stuart-Kotze, Robin, 2010. Understanding Organizations [Online] Available at: http://www.freshbusinessthinking.com/business_advice.php?AID=1703&Title=Understanding+Organisations [Accessed 10 March 2010]. Khailiza, 2007. Organizational Behavior [Online] Available at: http://organizationalbehavior-khailiza82.blogspot.com/ [Accessed 11 March 2010]. Read More