Studying Organizational Cultures Through Rites and Ceremonials

1. Harrison M. Trice1 and
2. Janice M. Beyer2

+Author Affiliations

1. 
   
   1Harrison M. Trice is Professor of Organizational Behavior in the New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Cornell University.
2. 
   
   2Janice M. Beyer is Professor of Organization and Human Resources in the School of Management, State University of New York at Buffalo.

Abstract

Studies of organizational culture often focus on discrete cultural forms and fail to place phenomena studied within an overarching conception of culture. Overlap and confusion in terminology occur across studies. To alleviate these problems, this paper offers distinguishing definitions and advocates studying rites and ceremonials, which consolidate multiple cultural forms. The paper also presents, illustrates, and discusses a typology of rites and ceremonials and examines the implications of cultural studies for research and practice.

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