Introduction
Organisational culture refers to the values, beliefs, assumptions and expectations, which are shared by the organisation’s members and influence the way they think and behave, as they collectively seek to accomplish the organisation’s mission. It influences the behaviour of people in the organisation, both inside and outside the business. It is an intangible element, yet, very powerful.
Material culture is a very important element of organisational culture. It is the physical material with which people interact and shapes behaviour in the organisation. It can shape employee behaviour through physical symbols, symbols that might be in the form of office design, company logos, and awards.
Definition of Material Culture
Material culture can be defined as tangible objects or artifacts that symbolize shared beliefs, values and attitudes. They are the physical elements within the organisation that reflect the organisations values, beliefs, and the ways of life. Material culture includes anything that is produced, reproduced or consumed by people, including buildings, furniture, office supplies, and organizational artifacts (e.g. awards, plaques, and certificates).
Role of Material Culture
Material culture serves many roles in the development and functioning of an organisation. It serves to identify and differentiate the organisation from its competitors and remind employees of the goals and values they should strive to uphold. It can also be used to encourage employee engagement and creativity, and stimulate a sense of belongingness and attachment.
Material culture can also be used to control employee behaviour. For example, if a company awards only the top-performing employees at the end of the year, other employees will be motivated to perform better in order to receive such awards.
Material culture is also used to create a sense of stability and shared identity within the organisation. It provides employees with a sense of common understanding and culture that makes them feel a part of the same team.
Conclusion
Material culture is an important element of organisational culture. It is the physical material with which people interact and shapes behaviour in the organisation. It can shape employee behaviour through physical symbols, symbols that might be in the form of office design, company logos, and awards. It serves to identify and differentiate the organisation from its competitors and remind employees of the goals and values they should strive to uphold. It can also be used to encourage employee engagement and creativity, and stimulate a sense of belongingness and attachment. By having a strong material culture, organisations can better fulfil its mission and goals.
