Common Characteristics of an Organization Paper
Maria Maadanian
Com 350 / Week 2
Common Characteristics of an Organization Paper
Organizations have things in common but they are not all alike. Whether they are work organizations or non-profit organizations, they do share common characteristics. These characteristics include a system, rules, roles, hierarchy, norms, similarity, status, networks, and organizational culture. I have been given the chance to work in both types of organizations, but the one I see more of these characteristics shine through is the non-profit organization I’ve volunteered at for almost 10 years now. The Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) is a grassroots organization, which started for the Armenian youth by the youth in the diaspora to build a better bridge with the homeland. It also strives to advance the goals for a free, independent and united Armenia. The organization, as a whole, is made up of individuals all over the world with each different country having their own chapter. On the west coast of the United States there are 14 different chapters, the Hollywood chapter being one of them, my chapter. Our chapter is made up of youth living in the Hollywood/Los Angeles area. Culture is a huge part of this non-profit because that is the basis and the platform it was started on. It is a cultural organization where the youth comes together to work together in an effort to achieve positive goals for the community.
Since the organization is based on the Armenian culture, it brings in many different aspects like tradition and other norms of the Armenian society. "Understand the culture to understand the organization," states Edgar Schein, the noted MIT professor of organizational development and culture. Culture permeates your company and defines what you and your organization stand for.” (Burley, Demand Media) The AYF has members who have learned the norms of the organization from their own families and their own Armenian surroundings. Rules and systems are two important concepts to
Com 350 / Week 2
Common Characteristics of an Organization Paper
Organizations have things in common but they are not all alike. Whether they are work organizations or non-profit organizations, they do share common characteristics. These characteristics include a system, rules, roles, hierarchy, norms, similarity, status, networks, and organizational culture. I have been given the chance to work in both types of organizations, but the one I see more of these characteristics shine through is the non-profit organization I’ve volunteered at for almost 10 years now. The Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) is a grassroots organization, which started for the Armenian youth by the youth in the diaspora to build a better bridge with the homeland. It also strives to advance the goals for a free, independent and united Armenia. The organization, as a whole, is made up of individuals all over the world with each different country having their own chapter. On the west coast of the United States there are 14 different chapters, the Hollywood chapter being one of them, my chapter. Our chapter is made up of youth living in the Hollywood/Los Angeles area. Culture is a huge part of this non-profit because that is the basis and the platform it was started on. It is a cultural organization where the youth comes together to work together in an effort to achieve positive goals for the community.
Since the organization is based on the Armenian culture, it brings in many different aspects like tradition and other norms of the Armenian society. "Understand the culture to understand the organization," states Edgar Schein, the noted MIT professor of organizational development and culture. Culture permeates your company and defines what you and your organization stand for.” (Burley, Demand Media) The AYF has members who have learned the norms of the organization from their own families and their own Armenian surroundings. Rules and systems are two important concepts to
References: 1. Beebe, S. A., & Masterson, J. T. (2009). Communicating in small groups: Principles and practices (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon. 2. Burley, Kermit. "Seven Primary Characteristics That Define an Organization 's Culture." Small Business. N.p., 2013. Web. 11 Nov. 2013. 3. Richmond, V., McCroskey, J., & McCroskey, L. (2009). Organizational communication for survival: Making work, work (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.