PART 5: THE SYMBOLIC PERSPECTIVE
5.1. ORGANIZATIONAL SYMBOLS AND CULTURE
Symbolic perspective
People need to make sense of the world around them
They need to give meaning to things
Meaning is largely constructed socially and shared with others
That is the essence of culture
Meaning is often constructed around symbolic elements (objects, rituals, stories, myths,
etc.)
Organizations also have cultures and symbols and give meaning to things
Example of symbolic elements: American flag, Statue of Liberty, M of McDonald’s,
Extending an open hand, Dressing in black, pink, etc., A manager having lunch with his/
her subordinates
Experiments related to meaning
• Minimal group experiments: Experiments a una classe segons minories
• Poetry experiment:
Two different conditions/groups
One group was presented with the possibility to pay to attend a poetry reading by a professor
The other was presented with the possibility to get paid to attend the poetry reading
Then both groups were offered the chance to go to a poetry reading by a professor for free
What happened? Why? El grupo al que se le había ofrecido pagar va más porque tienen un
mejor concepto de lo que se va a hacer.
• The Lego experiment:
Two different conditions/groups
In both people had to work building Lego figures and were paid progressively less for it
In one of them the figures were accumulated in front of the people
In the other the figures were disassembled
What happened? Why? Al grupo que se le dejaba las figuras delante hacía más porque veía la
acumulación y el fruto de su trabajo. El otro grupo veía que su trabajo era inútil.
• Other examples:
Framing in cooperation/competition games
Como presentas el juego influye mucho en como la gente reacciona ante él. Si le pones
“cooperation game” la gente coopera mucho más que en el mismo juego si le pones
“competition game”
People contribute more to charity if they have to suffer for it
Ya que conectas más con ellos y si en el proceso para poder dar el dinero sufres, esto hará
que des más.
When reminded about mortality, people embrace more strongly the beliefs, values and
symbols of groups
Muestra como la gente según sus sentimientos se muestran más incorporados en el grupo y en
su cultura.
Artistic work related to meaning
➢ The film Life is Beautiful: El padre da otro significado a la vida de su hijo dentro del campo
de concentración. El padre y el hijo viven las mismas cosas pero la vida es totalmente
5.1. ORGANIZATIONAL SYMBOLS AND CULTURE
Symbolic perspective
People need to make sense of the world around them
They need to give meaning to things
Meaning is largely constructed socially and shared with others
That is the essence of culture
Meaning is often constructed around symbolic elements (objects, rituals, stories, myths,
etc.)
Organizations also have cultures and symbols and give meaning to things
Example of symbolic elements: American flag, Statue of Liberty, M of McDonald’s,
Extending an open hand, Dressing in black, pink, etc., A manager having lunch with his/
her subordinates
Experiments related to meaning
• Minimal group experiments: Experiments a una classe segons minories
• Poetry experiment:
Two different conditions/groups
One group was presented with the possibility to pay to attend a poetry reading by a professor
The other was presented with the possibility to get paid to attend the poetry reading
Then both groups were offered the chance to go to a poetry reading by a professor for free
What happened? Why? El grupo al que se le había ofrecido pagar va más porque tienen un
mejor concepto de lo que se va a hacer.
• The Lego experiment:
Two different conditions/groups
In both people had to work building Lego figures and were paid progressively less for it
In one of them the figures were accumulated in front of the people
In the other the figures were disassembled
What happened? Why? Al grupo que se le dejaba las figuras delante hacía más porque veía la
acumulación y el fruto de su trabajo. El otro grupo veía que su trabajo era inútil.
• Other examples:
Framing in cooperation/competition games
Como presentas el juego influye mucho en como la gente reacciona ante él. Si le pones
“cooperation game” la gente coopera mucho más que en el mismo juego si le pones
“competition game”
People contribute more to charity if they have to suffer for it
Ya que conectas más con ellos y si en el proceso para poder dar el dinero sufres, esto hará
que des más.
When reminded about mortality, people embrace more strongly the beliefs, values and
symbols of groups
Muestra como la gente según sus sentimientos se muestran más incorporados en el grupo y en
su cultura.
Artistic work related to meaning
➢ The film Life is Beautiful: El padre da otro significado a la vida de su hijo dentro del campo
de concentración. El padre y el hijo viven las mismas cosas pero la vida es totalmente
