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Organizational culture in public sector organizations: Promoting change through training and leading by example

Mike Schraeder (Troy University‐Montgomery Campus and Thomas Walter Center for Technology Management, Auburn University, Montgomery, Alabama, USA)
Rachel S. Tears (Center for Government and Public Affairs, Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, Alabama, USA)
Mark H. Jordan (Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorodo, USA)

Leadership & Organization Development Journal

ISSN: 0143-7739

Article publication date: 1 September 2005

18130

Abstract

Purpose

To provide two possible approaches for enhancing organizational culture awareness and promote cultural change in public sector organization. These approaches include training and leading by example.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature outlining fundamental aspects of organizational culture is summarized, serving as a foundation for reviewing the potential value of training as a method for enhancing public managers' awareness of organizational culture. This is followed by an illustrated example of how the culture was changed in major department of a public organization through leading by example.

Findings

Training and leading by example can serve as effective methodologies for promoting culture awareness and brining about culture change in organizations.

Practical implications

The article highlights some interesting similarities and differences between cultures in public organizations and cultures in private sector organizations. The differences, in particular, reinforce the importance of training and leading by example to guide public sector employees through the complex dynamics often embodied within culture transformations in organizations.

Originality/value

While there are some important similarities between cultures of private sector and public sector organizations, the differences existing in public sector organization cultures create unique challenges for managers trying to evoke change. The article provides a unique perspective on applying training and leading by example to the context of public sector organizational culture.

Keywords

Citation

Schraeder, M., Tears, R.S. and Jordan, M.H. (2005), "Organizational culture in public sector organizations: Promoting change through training and leading by example", Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 26 No. 6, pp. 492-502. https://doi.org/10.1108/01437730510617681

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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