Janetius (2015)
ISBN-13: 978-1523203796
Dr Janetius is currently working on this topic and the research
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is an informational molecule encoding the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms. Organizational DNA (OrgDNA) refers to the vision and values, culture, leadership, strategy and structure upon which the organization is built and functions. It is the shared indoctrination of the frame of mind among constituents of an organization that distinguishes the one organization from another. We could see various OrgDNA, based on the motives, motto, whims and fancies covert and overt vision-mission of a leader underlying the reason for establishing an organisation. There are organizations that run purely for economical gain and monetary benefits; at the same time there are organizations that run purely on altruistic motives and, many fall in between carrying different ratio of both.
Studies have shown that organizational culture is primarily influenced by the behaviour, attitudes and decisions of the leaders. This is very pronounced in the private sectors than government organizations in India. Good DNA stimulates very good innovation and change, progress and wellbeing in an organization. Organizations that fail to plan, anticipate, and adapt innovative changes and employee wellbeing are likely to decline. Consistent, sustainable and widespread leader behaviour change is the cornerstone of any attempts to change OrgDNA.
Gene-therapy is the use of DNA as a curative agent to do genetic modifications to treat diseases which include inherited disorders that have no other cures. The modification of DNA remains risky and is still in the embryonic stage of rigorous testing to make sure that it is safe and effective. Unlike biological gene-therapy, OrgDNA can be reengineered and modified which requires the purposeful rewiring of the various factors that constitute the culture and DNA, which the author calls Corporate Gene Therapy.
Organizations have their own culture, rituals, values and attitudes. It is the collective programming of the mind that distinguishes the members of one organisation from others. It is the social system of complex sets of human relationships, interacting in many ways. Change and innovation could be defined as the ability to describe and develop new products and services and deliver them to market Innovation can be directly linked to a company’s ability to generate value and growth. Good DNA stimulates very good innovation and change in any organization. Organizations that fail to plan for, anticipate, and accurately adapt to changes are likely to not be able to survive.
The three main Bases of OrgDNA
1) Structure and Decision Making
v What does the organizational hierarchy look like?
v How are the lines and boxes in the organization chart connected?
v How many layers are in the hierarchy, and how many direct reports does each layer have?
¨ Who decides what?
¨ How many people are involved in a decision process?
¨ Where does one person’s decision-making authority end and another’s begin?
2) Rewards, Benefits and self-satisfaction
¨ What objectives, incentives, and career alternatives do people have?
¨ How are people rewarded, financially and non-financially, for what they achieve?
¨ What are they encouraged to care about, by whatever means, explicit or implicit?
¨ Are people satisfied in anyway?
¨ Is there any fulfilment or chances of fulfilment in the org?
3) Communication, Respect and Dignity
¨ How information communicated?
¨ How are activities coordinated, and how is knowledge transferred?
¨ How are expectations and progress communicated?
¨ Are the members respected or considered just employees?
¨ Do employees feel their dignity is safeguarded?
¨ How is information transferred from the people who have it to the people who require it?
Corporate Gene-Therapy: Unlike biological DNA, organizational DNA can be reengineered. Reengineering an organization’s DNA requires the purposeful rewiring of the various factors that constitute the culture and DNA, which the author calls Corporate Gene Therapy.
ISBN-13: 978-1523203796