In an existential culture, the organization exists to help the individual achieve his purpose. This is in contrast to the other three types of cultures where the individual is there to help the organization achieve its purpose. The symbol Handy uses for this type of culture is a cluster of individual stars loosely gathered in a circle. The members of this type of organization are not interdependent and thus do not cause an organizational change if one or more members leave the organization. In this type of organization, management is considered a chore. Furthermore, a manager is considered the lowest status in such organizations. Furthermore, in a Dionysus culture, the manager can only manage by consent, and every individual has the right of veto, so that any coordinated effort becomes a matter of endless negotiation. An example Handy gives of a Dionysus culture is a university. A university is an existential culture in that “there are no sanctions that can be used against [the] [professors], [and] [d]ismissal, money perks, or punishment are all outside the jurisdiction of the leader” (Handy p97). Furthermore he states that these decisions are made by a “group of equals” and not by an individual.

Microsoft Word - LEA502-8-godsofmanagement - LEA502-8-godsofmanagement.pdf Tuesday, December 24, 2013 @ 11:35am