Organizational culture is the shared values and beliefs that shapes an organization (Bethel, 2016). Further, organizational culture defines how the employees and leadership treat each other and others (Parnell, 2014). Honestly, it appears Southwest has captured pieces of both an adaptive and inert culture. Why? Adaptive culture exhibits trust, employee involvement, positive change, and a willingness to embrace change relevant to their core values (Parnell, 2014). Check, Southwest meets the criteria. However, an inert culture focuses on performing certain jobs a certain way, without the need for creativity (Bethel, 2016). Check, parts of Southwest meets this criteria.
Clearly, Southwest has a strong culture built on “deeply rooted values and ways of thinking that regulate their behavior” (Parnell, 2014, p. 297). Typically, weak cultures focus on diversity (Parnell, 2014). However, Southwest has embraced cultural diversity for years. In 2015, Forbes named Southwest as one of the nation’s best employers followed by Fortune naming them the number seven most admired company (Grasso, 2015). How did they accomplish such an amazing feat? CEO Kelly said, "From the beginning, Southwest embraced diversity because we really made flying available to people from all walks of life" (Grasso, 2015, para. 2).
Organizational culture at Southwest Airlines has long been one of equal opportunity for learning and personal growth; creativity and innovation; and concern, respect, and a
People – One of the many things good about Southwest Airlines is that the kinds of people who are heroes of the organization are people who care and go out of their way to help the customers. They’re the ones who are celebrated and held up as shining examples. Additionally, high levels of satisfaction among employees can be attributed to Southwest employee policy. Happy employees can provide high quality service and bring more customers back. To reinforce the culture of hard work, high-energy, fun, local autonomy, and creativity, the company provided continuous education program to employees. If you can help someone out or brighten someone’s day, be it a co-worker or a passenger, you’re doing your job well.
Organizational culture could almost be considered the roots of a company. The way a company’s employees think, the way the customers feel, and the company’s decisions are made are all based around the culture that the company has laid for itself. An employee’s values, thoughts, and actions should reflect those stated in the company’s mission. Southwest Airlines and American Airlines, while both attempting to create a culture that is comfortable and pleasing to their
We are committed to provide our Employees a stable work environment with equal opportunity for learning and personal growth. Creativity and innovation are encouraged for improving the effectiveness of Southwest Airlines. Above all,
The organization culture as a leadership concept has been identified as one of the many components that leaders can use to grow a dynamic organization. Leadership in organizations starts the culture formation process by imposing their assumptions and expectations on their followers. Once culture is established and accepted, they become a strong leadership tool to communicate the leader 's beliefs and values to organizational members, and especially new comers. When leaders promote ethical culture, they become successful in maintaining organizational growth, the good services demanded by the society, the ability to address problems before they become disasters and consequently are competitive against rivals. The leader 's success will depend to a large extent, on his knowledge and understanding of the organizational culture. The leader who understands his organizational culture and takes it seriously is capable of predicting the outcome of his decisions in preventing any anticipated consequences. What then is organizational culture? The concept of organizational culture has been defined from many perspectives in the literature. There is no one single definition for organizational culture. The topic of organizational culture has been studied from many perspectives and disciplines, such as anthropology, sociology, organizational behavior, and organizational leadership to name a few. Deal defines organizational culture as values,
At Southwest Airlines, the company’s business strategy has a positive effect on the training they provide to their employees. Southwest Airlines is a Texas based airline that started up in 1971 (Corporate Fact Sheet). Over the years the airline has been recognized for its outstanding customer service and its low airfare fees. Due to their excellent customer service, the company has been ranked number one in customer satisfaction in 2013 by the U.S Department of Transportation. In. 2015, Southwest airlines was recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in the Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award. The reason that Southwest airlines is recognized for all these great things is because they obtain a good organizational control over the airline.
Southwest had an edge over its competitors because of its people and their people management. The culture practiced at Southwest ensured progress towards their primary goal of customer service and low cost. The HR programs at Southwest were based on the preserving the values and special culture of Southwest Airlines (SWA).
Southwest Airlines' strong organizational culture is reflected in its mission statement "dedication to the highest quality of Customer Service delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual pride, and Company Spirit" (Southwest, 2012). Southwest serves not only as a prime example of a company that excels in customer service and profitability, but as one that has utilized employee development as a means to meet these ends. Southwest makes a strong commitment to foster ongoing relationships with human resources. They demand that their employees are responsible members, however
During the rapid globalization, being one of the topmost and sustainable airlines is not easy due to the highly competitive airlines industry. Southwest Airlines, founded by Rolling King, Herbert Kelleher, and Lamar Muse in 1967, is considered a very long history of success following its goal that emphasizes on customers’ satisfaction. The key of organizational success relies on human value of Southwest CEO, managers, and employees who try to help each other in order to reach the customers’ best service because these people are the major factors to justify their own images that represent their organization. Furthermore, Southwest has motivated its employees to be more creative and improvable by allowing suitable norms and
Organizations like the Southwest Airlines all have a culture, which demonstrates how the organization works and usually acts as its motivational tool. An organizational culture is important to the organization, as it is the major element in helping attain the organization's goals and objectives. Cultures in organizations are vast, with different organizations adopting their own type of culture. The examples of culture include; club cultures, where employees of the organization are assisted to fit into the culture. This is the most common type adopted by most organizations. There is also the academy culture, where the organization keeps its most skilled employees. The skills are developed by the company and an example of the organization that mostly uses this culture is the large corporations like the Southwest Airlines. The base team culture is designed to maintain high skilled employees, as these employees have great skills and can work for many other organizations. Other organizations have cultures that are highly discouraged, like the fortress culture, where employees hardly know their fate, and can be laid off any time. These organizations often undergo changes through reorganization, and only the specialized skilled people have chances for positions in the organization. Despite these many types of the cultures, management should ensure culture that is reputable, and
Southwest Airlines is one of the most successful airlines in the United States. There has never been layoffs or strikes in the history of the company, although there were several times when layoffs could have been justified, including the months following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. However, Southwest's Mission statement says “Above all, Employees will be provided the same concern, respect, and caring attitude within the organization that they are expected to share externally with every Southwest Customer.” (Southwest, 1988). The Airline has always believed that their corporate culture is one of the keys to their success. The culture recognizes that employees have emotional intelligence and that their
Southwest Airlines: Culture, Values and Operating Practices (in Thompson, A. A., Strickland. A. J. and Gamble, J. (2005) Crafting and Executing Strategy (Fourteenth Edition), McGraw-Hill, New York, pages C-636– C-664).
Southwest Airlines incorporates a team orientated culture by cross training its employees so they are capable of helping each other if necessary. The company place a strong emphasis on training work teams and cultivating employee citizenship behavior. Employees participate in twice daily meetings where they can discuss any issues and determine a course of action. Job applicants who are not viewed as team players are not hired. This team oriented organizational culture offers more positive relationships with managers and coworkers thus providing a quality workplace.
Southwest Airlines, a major airline company in the United States says there’s something they value more than its customers and that something, is their employees. Organizational structure is referred to the system of shared ideas, values, and beliefs which basically controls how employees behave in organizations. These shared ideas and values have a strong influence on the organization and its employees in the means of how they dress, act or even how they perform their jobs. Southwest Airlines is known for their organizational culture and this is also considered one of the key factors contributing to their success. However, it is very unusual to hear that a company will put their employee happiness above their customer satisfaction. Southwest Airlines lists the employees first, customers second and shareholders third. If the company treats the employees right, the employees will treat their customers right and this all results in increased profits which will make everyone happy including the shareholders. Southwest has created a culture that is fun, full of values and ideas which is to help employees to enjoy what they do and take pride in their jobs. The airline as well teaches and encourages the employees to put others first and show great customer
When one guises at organizational culture, one should correspondingly look at the principles, beliefs, and the vision of the Company. Southwest Airlines’ CEO, Herb Kelleher, is a man whose approach of treating all individuals with dignity and admiration helped the Company gain a competitive advantage over major airlines. The responsive customer service, reliability,
In this segment of the paper I will analyze the organizational culture of the Southwest Airlines