Inspirational Leaders: Jeff Bezos
Running head: Inspirational Leaders Who Have changed Some Organizational Cultures: Jeff Bezos
Inspirational Leaders Who Have Changed Some Organizational Cultures: Jeff Bezos Colin Phelan Northern Illinois University
COMS 461 Professor Scudder 24 March 2012
Jeff Bezos is unarguably one of today’s most inspirational leaders. He was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1964 and attended school in Miami Palmetto. After graduating from Princeton University, with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, he worked in several jobs (Inc. 2009). In 1994, the internet was fresh in the market, and it did not incorporate commerce in its operations. As a result, he saw an opportunity for a new business network, and after doing research, he made a decision of creating a space in the internet where books could be viewed by the public. This led to the creation of Amazon in 1995. Today, Amazon is widely successful and has had a great impact on the organizational culture of internet business. Jeff Bezos is considered to be the founder of e-commerce, remains a pioneer in the industry (Inc, 2009). This paper will discuss how the culture of Amazon has changed as a result of Jeff Bezos presence; today, among many things, the public can view full book lists on Amazon, a mission that was impossible before the early 1990s. Organizational Culture Organizational culture can be related to how an organization organizes itself based on its rules and beliefs; therefore, culture gives an organization an identity. The behavioral patterns of an organization are represented in their norms; according to Kratschmer (2011, p.2), organizational culture includes values that are shared among the members of an organization. Needless to say, organizational culture can be changed. Kratschmer (2011, p.3) adds that, organizational culture can be changed and lead to success, only if well managed. In addition, resistance to change is
Inspirational Leaders Who Have Changed Some Organizational Cultures: Jeff Bezos Colin Phelan Northern Illinois University
COMS 461 Professor Scudder 24 March 2012
Jeff Bezos is unarguably one of today’s most inspirational leaders. He was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1964 and attended school in Miami Palmetto. After graduating from Princeton University, with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, he worked in several jobs (Inc. 2009). In 1994, the internet was fresh in the market, and it did not incorporate commerce in its operations. As a result, he saw an opportunity for a new business network, and after doing research, he made a decision of creating a space in the internet where books could be viewed by the public. This led to the creation of Amazon in 1995. Today, Amazon is widely successful and has had a great impact on the organizational culture of internet business. Jeff Bezos is considered to be the founder of e-commerce, remains a pioneer in the industry (Inc, 2009). This paper will discuss how the culture of Amazon has changed as a result of Jeff Bezos presence; today, among many things, the public can view full book lists on Amazon, a mission that was impossible before the early 1990s. Organizational Culture Organizational culture can be related to how an organization organizes itself based on its rules and beliefs; therefore, culture gives an organization an identity. The behavioral patterns of an organization are represented in their norms; according to Kratschmer (2011, p.2), organizational culture includes values that are shared among the members of an organization. Needless to say, organizational culture can be changed. Kratschmer (2011, p.3) adds that, organizational culture can be changed and lead to success, only if well managed. In addition, resistance to change is