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Approach

• Write about the Work culture of an organisation.
• Explain the factors influencing the ethics of society at large.
• Define work culture and explain with examples of how it impacts societal ethics.

Introduction

• The work culture of any organization significantly impacts ethics of society at large. Work culture is regarded as a set of practices, values and shared beliefs within an organization. It has a significant role in the way an organization functions. It is a way of life at the workplace, the way culture is a way of life of society.
• Ethics form an essential part of the foundation on which a civilized society is built. Ethics of society is shaped not only by individual factors like values, attitudes of people but also by other situational factors like cultural norms, industry and organizational norms.

Body

The work culture of an organization impacts society in the following ways:

Quality of Human Resources

• Private organizations (MNCs) promote efficiency, workmanship, professionalism and a spirit of innovation among the employees which are critical for the growth of any society.
• Similarly, the public sector in India is known for its service motive and social ethos which helps in creating a socially just society.
• Competition within a hierarchical framework of any organization helps in nurturing leadership through rewards, punishments and incentives.

Foundational Values of Organization

• Organizations with elite orientation or aristocratic mindset and complacency or ‘chalta hai attitude’ inculcate similar attitude among the employees which is reflected in their behaviour outside the organization as well.
• Many organizations promote sensitivity towards marginalized sections by sensitive training targeted towards women, persons with disabilities, etc.
• Enforcement of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) norms in private organizations promotes the altruistic and egalitarian society. Moreover, CSR works oriented towards environment and nature conservation helps in promoting climate change sensitivity.

Ends and Objectives of Organization

• Organizations working purely on a profit basis neglecting the societal impacts of their work tend to create unethical attitude among people.
  
  • For eg.: Companies indulged in liquor and tobacco products work purely on profit basis without considering negative externalities.

Quality and Service Delivery

• The attitude and mindset of leaders of organizations tend to reflect on society as a whole.
  
  • For eg.: Japan’s Total Quality Movement (TQM) of the 1930s initiated by Walter A. Shewhart implemented at Western Electric Company created the basis for Japan’s rapid industrialization.
  • Similarly, it was the vision of Metro man of India, E Sreedharan which created one of the most successful metro projects ever, which is known for its service delivery and efficient working.

Conclusion

Thus, both society and the organization’s work culture have a direct correlation. Both influence the ethical framework of people and are relevant to the social fabric of any society.