Essay, Research Paper: Organizational Culture

When is comes to organizational culture within Lockheed Martin, the company for which I work, they leave much to be desired. Organizational Culture can be defined as the characteristic traditions, norms, and values that employees share (dessler). I believe Lockheed is finally realizing their mistakes and are currently trying to take drastic measures to improve their organizational structure. This is not only effecting my work but the company s performance as well. Once their new procedures have been implemented, then I believe they will begin to see the improvement in the company that they are looking for.
Lockheed Martin is stuck in the old school. They have a 70 s style of thinking that has obviously been outdated since the 70 s. They have been following the Unadaptive Corporate Culture as stated in Management Leading People and Organizations in the 21st Century, by Gary Dessler. Lockheed however, is in desperate times right now and they are making drastic changes to improve their culture. I would have to say that they are in a kind of limbo in between Adaptive and Unadaptive Corporate Cultures. They are doing everything in their power to incorporate a more caring atmosphere. They should have been making these changes more quickly a long time ago, but so far it has been a long drawn out process.
Lockheed may have started too little too late. All the changes they are making, so far, don t seem to be helping the company. With all the recent layoffs, missed flight tests and schedules, employees are at an all time low in morale. People are afraid of losing their jobs and don t seem to be concentrating on their performance. The changes are making them uneasy and unsure of themselves. I don t believe Lockheed is valuing their people or creating useful changes, which are core values for an adaptive culture.
Lockheed also seems to keep stating that they will be re-organizing upper management by laying off many of these positions along with middle management positions. So far as I can tell, this has not been happening. I ve noticed organizations have been becoming smaller, but I don t see many changes in management and leadership. All they seem to be doing is moving the leaders around to different sectors instead of laying them off. These changes are not being made quickly enough for anyone to notice.
Unfortunately my work has been suffering lately due to all the uncertainty within the company. I have been trying not to let it affect my work or me, but sometimes it is unavoidable. When I don t get the recognition I believe I deserve it is difficult to perform at a heightened level. I am a person that enjoys giving 100%, but when I am not appreciated for my efforts, it has a tendency to bring me down.
Once Lockheed Martin has finished with all the changes, they will once again become the dominant business they once were. By becoming a more adaptive culture, which I believe Lockheed is trying to do, they will see an improvement in the company. Once they start caring about their customers and employees they will see a more productive atmosphere.
Works Cited
Dessler, Gary. Management Leading People and Organizations in the 21st Century. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1998.