Google What Are the Observable

Google

What are the observable artifacts, espoused values, and basic assumptions associated with Google's culture? Explain.

The espoused values and basic assumptions of Google specifically define their strategies for attracting, retaining and growing the best software engineers they can possibly find globally. Google's culture is one of absolute commitment to innovation and solving the more difficult and challenging computing, Internet- and information-related challenges by creating a corporate culture that concentrates in a very high level of intensity first, followed by ample rewards for initiating innovative solutions to complex problems.

Based on the espoused values and basic assumptions that Google's culture is based on, it is logical that the observable artifacts support this vision of the company the founders have continued to aggressively pursue. To call their culture aggressively intelligent is an understatement, as it prizes intensity of innovation so much that all distractions from an employees' life are minimized. This includes the allegorical use of food in the culture as fuel. Concentrating on have food sources not more than 150 feet away from any workers underscores this philosophy. Minimizing interruptions to progress in solving complex technical problems is also exemplified in offering laundry, an on-premise gym, and assistance for new parents who are staying home with newborn children, offering $500 for take-out food. This also ties back to alleviating any distractions or time-consuming activities of having to go shopping while also trying to take care of a new-born. Google however does not merely look to create an allegorical reference of food to fuel; it is instead also concentrating on its role in defining Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the context of an increasingly aware society of waste and the impact of carbon-based fuels on the environment. To further support these CSR initiatives specifically in the area of carbon-based fuel emission reductions, the company offers an allowance of $5,000 to each employee who chooses to purchase a hybrid vehicle. In addition, the company has invested in Wi-Fi enabled buses to transport its employees around the Bay Area between locations to further save on their fuel costs.

Finally there are those artifacts that seek to continue and expand the base of talent in the organization. This includes the offer of $2,000 to any employee who offers a reference for a qualified candidate that gets hired. There is also the corporate standard of giving engineers 20% of their time to explore entirely new areas. The case study points out that Google Gmail, Google Finance and other innovations have been created based on this allocation of a fifth of a persons' time. In conclusion, the Google culture is so centered on nurturing intellectual curiosity while at the same time alleviating any roadblocks to resolving issues surrounding complex, difficult Internet-based and information-centric problems that the company's many artifacts, processes and procedures are concentrated streamlining and making as efficient employees' lives so they can concentrate with full intensity on their work.

Use the competing values framework to diagnose Google's culture. To what extent does it possess characteristics associated with a clan, adhocracy, market, and hierarchical cultures?

The Google culture concentrates on creating a high level of shared vision, focus and flexibility, and as a result has significant level of Clan-based focus. This allows the company to also pursue a high level of Adhocracy and cut across departmental and functional lines to accomplish more tasks. The integration of Clan and Adhocracy is critical for Google to attain the level of agility and market responsiveness it is in the field of Internet-based application today. With the majority of the organizations' stability and control based on its market-based direction and focus, the need for strict hierarchical control is not necessary yet is in place to support the overall functioning of the organization. Lastly the focus on Clan through the use of the cultural aspects discussed in the first question also supports its unique ability to continually create greater levels of innovation and growth over time. Adhocracy is critical given the intellectual abilities of the people the company attracts and retains, as they are more interested in attaining objectives even if it means cutting across functional lines of authorizing rather than being governed by a strict hierarchical framework. The clan aspect of the structure of the competing values framework is critical for the continual growth and maturation of the culture, so highly attuned to the development of innovation instead of embracing the status quo as is the case in so many other cultures. The foundation of Google's innovation is its ability to create norms, values and core beliefs as part of its Clan as defined with the Competing Values Framework. The combining of these factors have successfully given Google the ability to sense and respond to market opportunities rapidly, without becoming encumbered in "analysis paralysis" and instead getting goals accomplished quickly. The bottom line is that Google has created a highly unique culture that nurtures and values innovation over and above complacency and the status quo.

What is Google's mission statement? Is the culture type identified in question 2 consistent with the accomplishment of this mission? Explain.

As defined on the company's website, Google's mission statement is "To organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful." There is a very high level of congruence of the type of organization Google has created based on the competing values framework and its culture. The reliance on accomplishment of complex, often highly abstract problems that globally impact information and the Internet is increasingly what the company is becoming known for. The reliance on creating a culture that is agile yet resilient is critical for the company to continually grow and adapt globally.

What techniques for changing organizational culture has Google used to form its culture? Discuss.