Managing (with) Organizational Culture
Organizational culture is a shared responsibility, created and shaped by everyone in the organization.
Managing (with) Organizational Culture online course helps you understand the powerful impact culture has on organizational success, and how you, as a member of your organization, play a vital role in shaping it. Organizational culture isn't just a set of values or norms, rather it's alive in the daily actions of the organization's members and plays a crucial role in shaping how people behave, interact, and perform.
Through practical examples and research-based insights, you’ll learn how to identify the different levels of culture in your organization and ensure alignment between culture, strategy, and values. You'll explore how leadership, HR, and employees all contribute to building and maintaining a strong, resilient culture supporting organizational goals.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to assess, develop, and manage culture in your organization, act as a cultural ambassador, and drive meaningful culture change that leads to improved performance and engagement.
By completing this online course, you'll earn an Aalto University certificate, showcasing your micro-credentials — proof of the specific, in-demand skills you’ve mastered.
Learn practical tools to assess, manage, and develop your organizational culture.
Develop the skills to lead culture change efforts, from daily routines to large-scale transformations.
Study at your own pace with an online course that adapts to your schedule and location.
Learning Outcomes
After completing the course, you will:
- understand what organizational culture is and identify different levels and elements of culture in your organization.
- know different forms and types of culture and their interplay.
- understand how organizational culture is developed and maintained by the members of the organizations.
- understand how organizational culture enables and constrains organizational action by encouraging certain behaviors while discouraging others.
- be able to provide theoretically founded and evidence-based solutions to organizational culture and culture change challenges.
- be able to act as a cultural ambassador.
For
This course is ideal for anyone looking to understand and manage organizational culture, whether you're new to the workforce or already established in your career. No prior experience is required, making this course accessible to professionals from a variety of fields
It’s especially beneficial for:
- Professionals in business management, HR, and organizational development looking to deepen their knowledge of organizational culture and leadership.
- Leaders and managers aiming to foster a strong and aligned culture within their teams.
- Anyone interested in personal growth and in understanding how they can contribute to shaping a positive organizational culture.
Contents and Schedule
This course provides insights into the importance of organizational culture in driving organizational success. You’ll explore the key elements of culture and its impact on daily work through self-paced online materials that allow you to:
- Understand the different layers and types of organizational culture and their effects on behavior and decision-making.
- Learn how to assess and define your organization's culture.
- Develop strategies for fostering a culture that aligns with organizational goals and values.
The online course consists of short lecture videos and reading materials, reflection tasks, and other assignments, such as quizzes. You can complete the course flexibly at your own pace from anywhere in the world. The estimated study time of the course is 27 hours, and you will have access to the course materials for eight weeks.
The language of the course is English.
The course is divided into nine modules, each focusing on a specific topic:
- Module 1: What is organizational culture?
- Module 2: What is the relationship between organizational culture and strategy?
- Module 3: Defining the culture of your organization
- Module 4: From culture to climates
- Module 5: Tools for developing organizational culture
- Module 6: Culture & HR
- Module 7: A large-scale culture change towards agility
- Module 8: Organizational culture and hybrid work
- Module 9: Who is responsible for organizational culture
Instructors
Saija Katila
Kristiina Lahdenranta
Kristiina Lahdenranta is an Associate Professor at LUT School of Business.
Kristiina’s research focuses on social influence. She has a doctoral degree in marketing. Her doctoral research focused on how individuals process social information during decision-making in a high-involvement service context. In her current line of research, she examines how individuals react to secrets at work and investigates the psychological effects of secrecy from an outsider’s perspective. Kristiina has experience teaching research methods, social influence, and various topics on organizational behavior.
Marjo-Riitta Diehl