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Creation and Adaptation of Norms in a Tire-Mold Manufacturing Organization

Hampton-Farmer, Cheri
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1182771508

Abstract Details

2007, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, Communication Studies.
This case study examined the ways in which organizational members created norms that sustained the organizational culture in a tire-mold manufacturing organization, the effects of those norms, and members’ motivation to comply with them. Within the organization, co-cultures maintain identical values but employ different norms due to the nature of their work. Despite the standardized processes for designing and manufacturing tire-molds, norms that sustain the values of autonomy and creativity enable innovation that competition demands. This kind of study adds to organizational communication research about norms and can benefit organizational leaders, researchers, and consultants when assessing cultural values to determine strategies for change. The tire industry is competitive and requires change in products, procedures, and communication. Because the values and norms are imbedded in the culture, any such changes must address these strongholds. This case study can be used as a comparison to other organizations in a competitive environment. To conduct an assessment of the culture and its norms, the researcher audio taped face-to-face interviews with 30 members of a tire-mold manufacturing organization in a small Midwest town and observed organizational members over a period of three days. The tapes were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Grounded Theory (Glaser and Strauss, 1967; Strauss and Corbin, 1998). Themes that emerged revealed the cultural values and the norms that sustain them. The strength of this case study lies in its ability to identify cultural elements attributed to the norms. However, the restricted time spent in the organization limited the amount of contact with organizational members who were administrators; thus, findings would be richer and more conclusive with additional time.
Lynda Dixon (Advisor)
160 p.
Norms; Organizational culture; Communication; Deviance; Autonomy

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hampton-Farmer, C. (2007). Creation and Adaptation of Norms in a Tire-Mold Manufacturing Organization [Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1182771508

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hampton-Farmer, Cheri. Creation and Adaptation of Norms in a Tire-Mold Manufacturing Organization. 2007. Bowling Green State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1182771508.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hampton-Farmer, Cheri. "Creation and Adaptation of Norms in a Tire-Mold Manufacturing Organization." Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1182771508

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1182771508
1,328
© 2007, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.