"a set of basic assumptions – shared solutions to universal problems of external adaptation (how to survive) and internal integration (how to stay together) - which have evolved over time and are handed down from one generation to the next"
(Schein, 2004: 14)
According to Schein people fundamentally search for two solutions--'how to survive' and 'how to stay together'. Put these two in to day to day context and a lot of things will start to make sense. Anyway according to Schein, Culture that we live in is all about survival and staying together.
'Culture' is believed to be 'learnt' rather than 'inherited'. People are not born with a culture--people are born into a culture. With time people will adjust to the culture to stay together (since humans are a collective type of animals) and to survive among the other cultures. This is why the definition says the 'culture' is handed down from generation to generation.
Culture obviously evolves over time. Nothing stays permanent--that is the universal law of everything. And so does culture. With different forces, internal and external, acting upon the culture we live in, it changes it's nature, it's norms, values, beliefs, behavior etc. People of a culture must adapt to the change it undergoes. Or else he will be an outcast--he will not 'stay together' with the group.
A simple yet powerful and comprehensive definition to the vague term 'Culture' is provided by Edgar Schein.
There are many more definitions and explanations to Culture and it's actors and how it affects businesses. So we will be back with more articles on how Culture affects businesses in the future.
If you have any questions, comment below.
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