Organizational DNA and the need for Corporate Gene-therapy at Institutes of Higher Education – A road map for student and employee wellbeing
Dr. S.T. Janetius
ISBN-13: 978-1523203796
First Printing: December 26, 2015
Abstract
Organizational DNA (OrgDNA) refers to the vision – mission, values, culture, leadership, strategy and structure upon which an organization is built. It is the ideology envisioned by the founders, reinforced by the leaders and desired to be followed by the members of an organization which in turn showcases an unique identity to an organization. Studies have shown that organizational culture is primarily influenced by the behaviour, attitudes and decisions of the leaders (Kilmann, Saxton, & Serpa, 1986). This is very much apparent in private sector organizations than government organizations in India. There are organizations that run conspicuously for mere monetary benefits; at the same time there are also organizations that run transparently on altruistic motives; some organizations fall in between as well.
In the educational sector, good OrgDNA stimulates remarkable changes, innovations and thus emanate a pleasant aroma of high level of professionalism. Consequently, it makes an educational institution a temple of learning and development for students and a safer haven for employee job satisfaction and wellbeing. Organizations with poor concern for stakeholders, which ignore their own employees and do not anticipate and adopt innovative changes as per the needs of the time, fail to attract quality stakeholders resulting into high rate of employee attrition and student dropouts.
Employees and students who assess an organization on the basis of mere sugar-coated vision-mission statement realise at a later stage that they feel deceived and misled. It is a herculean task for employees as well as students and stakeholders to identify quality institutions.
This qualitative study conducted in South India, examines various components of private higher education institutions and recommends a simple modus operandi to identify the OrgDNA. This will enlighten the aspiring students as well as prospective employees, while making their choices, to identify quality and professional organizations for their own wellbeing. This study also prescribes various forms of Corporate Gene-therapy (CGT) to reformulate OrgDNA for the wellbeing of both the students and employees.
Author
Dr. S.T. Janetius, Director, Centre for Counselling and Guidance, Sree Saraswathi Thyagaraja College, Pollachi, India,
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