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Gathering cultural data, or any data, poses one major issue and that is human bias/error. (Schein, pg. 204) Gathering flawed data can come from both ends of the spectrum. The researcher might seek specific data, ignoring data that goes against his biased opinion. The research also has to deal with the bias of the people they are collecting the data on. Another obstacle is that the research poses a foreign person within the workgroup and as a result, people with suspicions might act out of character as a means to impress the person. When collecting data, Schein suggests that collecting it from the clinical approach is the most effective. (pg. 208) Cultural data collected from a clinical approach is only considered valid if the “members of the organization feel they have something to gain and that in some way they will be helped.” (Schein, pg. 208) With this approach, the research can delve deep into the culture and ask questions that might not be permitted under different circumstances. Schein also notes that experiments are not ethical when studying an organization but does bring up the fact that questionnaires and surveys can be utilized with some limitations. (pg. 206)

The ethical issues fall mostly in the hands of the research. (Schein, pg. 213) Schein suggests that the research should always think of what the outcome might be, by publishing information on an organization. In Schein’s own situation, he explains that he has either received permission to publish the information or that the organization or individual would not be affected by the information. (pg. 213) I know that in my own “career” I have seen many things that I would never speak of publicly, due to the effects it might have on individuals or an organization. With that being said, the danger with talking about our own organization or another’s is that sometimes what we say, or type does not seem to affect anyone until it is too late. I know in my own college career, I have spoken about situations in my own workplace, that should have been phrased differently. While something might seem harmless, I believe that it is important to remember this quote I once heard, “would you be ashamed to have that statement posted on the front page of the New York Times?” When thinking of things in this manner, we can reduce hurting organizations and others. While reading this week’s chapters, I could not help but think of some things I have said that I probably should have received permission for or phrased them differently.

References:

Schein, E. H. (2017). Organizational culture and leadership. Hoboken: Wiley.