DESIGNING RELIABLE ORGANIZATIONS

Development of organizations requires both understanding the technology and the human activity. The working practices of the personnel, attitudes, and competence are central dimensions of organizational effectiveness. These are part of the organizational culture.

Organizational culture refers to the principles guiding the decision making and daily practices of the organization. These principles include values, norms, conceptions and organizational climate. Organizational culture has an effect on the efficiency, reliability and wellbeing of the organization.

In order to remain effective and viable the organization cannot hold still or resort to the ”good old solutions”. Changes in the working environment require questioning of the existing practices and the principles of working. Also conflicts inside the organization require both the development of the organizational values and the work itself. Every organization should also be aware of the strengths of its current practices.

Organizational challenges
Every organization can perceive the influence of its culture in e.g. implementation of new technology, organizational changes, socialisation of newcomers and intra-, and extra-organizational cooperation.

Critical questions are how to change working practices, how to better utilize technology, how to anticipate the effects of changes and how to improve climate and attitudes.

Organizational assessment
VTT employs psychologists who are acquainted with industrial work and human factors issues. We have developed a methodology for the assessment of organizational culture (CAOC, Contextual Assessment of Organisational Culture). It includes interviews, organizational culture survey, group working and seminars all tailored to the particular needs of the organization.