Rani+ +Navigating+Cultural+Entropy+ (694 703)
Rani+ +Navigating+Cultural+Entropy+ (694 703)
Rani+ +Navigating+Cultural+Entropy+ (694 703)
Indonesia
Corresponding Author:
Name: Asni Mustika Rani
Institution Address: Faculty of Economics and Business Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia,
Bandung, Indonesia
e-mail: [email protected]
The concept of cultural entropy in cultural entropy is very high, exceeding the
organizations figure of 54% [11]. Interestingly, in just over a
Cultural entropy, a concept month, Iceland went into economic
developed by Richard Barrett, involves the bankruptcy. Similar findings occurred in a
analysis of individual values in the context of Latvian folk study in August 2007, where
multiple countries by the Barrett Values cultural entropy reached 54%, and in the next
Centre. For example, in an August 2008 study two months, there was chaos and a change of
in Iceland, it was revealed that the level of government.
In this context, "culture" refers to the Cultural entropy refers to the amount
characteristics and values that make up the of energy not available for useful work in an
identity of an organization or nation. Entropy, organization, measured as the degree of
a concept usually associated with physics, is conflict, friction, and frustration arising from
defined as a state in which part of the energy relationship problems, system inefficiencies,
produced by a system is used to overcome and value misalignments. This concept
damage to its components [20]. In the context highlights dysfunctions in an organization,
of organizations, imperfections such as such as undue power, bureaucracy,
bureaucracy, hierarchy, internal competition, inequality, internal competition, and
dishonesty, and mutual blame, lead to the use unhealthy mindsets.
of employee energy that would otherwise be The causative factors of cultural
allocated to productive work [21], referred to entropy involve several aspects, such as the
as "cultural entropy". lack of mechanistic and organic culture in
Cultural entropy in an organization organizations, the existence of authoritarian
can be decomposed into three main elements. cultures that do not support participation, the
First, there are factors that slow down the pace existence of subcultures and cultural
of organization and hinder quick decision dominance, the lack of a strong culture, and
making, such as bureaucracy, hierarchy, the lack of entrepreneurial and market
confusion, quarrels, and rigidity [22], [23]. cultures. All of these factors can lead to
Second, factors that create friction between instability, employee dissatisfaction, and
employees, including internal competition, decreased organizational performance [14]. In
mutual blame, intimidation, and line with research Bilal et al. (2020) In the
manipulation [24], [25]. Third, factors that hospitality industry, one important aspect of
hinder employees from working effectively, cultural entropy is bureaucratic culture which
such as excessive control, excessive prudence, has a negative correlation with job satisfaction
micromanagement, short-term focus, and and commitment. Top-level leaders should
territorialism [26]. direct their attention to bureaucratic
Within the scope of the organization, the level administrative weaknesses, which generally
of cultural entropy directly affects the level of arise from cultural entropy. If cultural entropy
energy that employees can contribute to the lasts for a long period of time, it can encourage
betterment of the company. When entropy is unethical behavior in employees, which can
low, the energy available for productive work trigger a negative response from top
is high, which in turn improves management. In addition, employees can
organizational performance. Conversely, high engage in acts such as theft, fraud,
cultural entropy results in wasted use of intimidation, absenteeism, and sabotage.
energy that would otherwise be allocated to Another contributing factor to
productive work, reducing overall cultural entropy is a rigid and limiting
organizational performance. Since the internal structure [18], [19]. It is a concern that
emergence of the concept of cultural entropy, information indivision is becoming a major
many researchers have begun to develop and value, as poor information flow increases
implement it to various scopes of confusion and reduces an organization's
organizations and institutions, but no one has ability to adapt, transform, and build internal
specifically conducted research on higher cohesion. Relationships within organizations
education institutions, especially higher are eroded by a culture of blame and
education. This research focuses on the manipulation. The rigidity of the internal
development and implementation of Barrett's structure will also affect the movement of
concept of cultural entropy. information and learning in the organization.
The inability of organizations to manage
Factors Affecting Cultural Entropy in
knowledge management for learning can be a
Employees
contributing factor to cultural entropy. Action
learning and organization are ambidextrous, application of action learning principles and
emphasizing the importance of learning, ambidextrous organizational approaches.
curiosity, and the use of questions as key Research Mash et al. (2013, 2016) Both
elements [17]. Ambidextrous organizations of which were carried out in healthcare
are able to maintain a balance between facilities, indicated that there were many cases
exploitation (through action) and exploration of cultural entropy experienced by health
(through learning) by not ruling out either workers. Changes in leadership style have a
[15]. key role in improving organizational culture.
The trend of cultural entropy reflects Managers who transition from administrative
an increase in dysfunction in an organization roles to leader roles are able to form a more
if not handled properly. Problems such as positive organizational culture [18]. These
excessive bureaucracy, internal competition, findings highlight the importance of
lack of employee involvement, and vagueness leadership transformation in shaping a
in duties and responsibilities can contribute to healthy organizational culture.
increased cultural entropy. Identifying and Research Schmitt (2020) It does not
addressing these factors can help directly link cultural entropy with leadership,
organizations reduce levels of cultural but focuses on the formation of knowledge
entropy and improve employee satisfaction management. It concluded that in favor of
and performance. participation In organizations through
knowledge management, personal
The Relationship of Cultural Entropy with
knowledge that has been digitized must
Leadership
remain owned and accessible to its owner or
Of the six articles analyzed, all have
entitled co-workers. This is important so that
in common that overcoming cultural entropy
information remains consistent, transparent,
in organizations requires a leadership role
secure, and independent of changes in social,
that is able to provide significant change. On
educational, professional, or technological
research Bilal et al. (2020), it is emphasized
environments.
that top-level leaders need to provide
Based on the six articles studied, the
adequate understanding and education about
ability of leaders to exert a strong and
policies as well as model desirable behavior
innovative, positive and inspiring influence,
for their subordinates. Furthermore, negative
manage knowledge management and
culture in an organization can change through
learning, becomes a very much needed thing
professional workforce composition, planned
in organizations. The transformational
organizational change techniques, and other
leadership style is focused on creating
organizational culture influences. This
significant change within the organization or
process of organizational culture evolution
group, while inspiring and helping team
begins with changes in the values, beliefs, and
members reach their full potential.
behaviors of leaders, and thus effectively
addresses cultural entropy in the Cultural Entropy in Higher Education
organization. Institutions
Interestingly, leaders who are able to Research related to cultural entropy
transform action learning models also adopt a in organizations is still relatively small,
similar approach by using the power of especially in organizations or higher
questions to stimulate assessment, allowing education institutions. If you look at the
learning to go hand in hand with actions in research Mash et al. (2013, 2016) What is done
organizational performance [15], [17]. There is to health workers, both doctors, nurses, and
a close relationship between these concepts other employees in healthcare facilities, there
and the phenomenon of cultural entropy, are restrictions, such as controls, cost
where the understanding and handling of reductions, long working hours, confusion,
cultural entropy can be enhanced through the and lack of information. These factors indicate
a serious problem, thus indicating cultural must adhere to medical ethics, maintain
entropy. patient confidentiality, and provide quality
Doctors and lecturers, despite being health care. Similarly, lecturers are expected
in different fields of profession, have some to adhere to academic ethics, including
similarities, especially in the context of research integrity, fairness in academic
education and community service. Within the assessment, and maintaining standards of
scope of job demands as employees in professionalism in relationships with
organizations, both professions, doctors, and students and colleagues. Finally, both doctors
lecturers, share similarities in several crucial and lecturers are faced with demands for
aspects. The first aspect is high intellectual responsibility towards students or patients.
demands and professionalism. As doctors, the Doctors must take responsibility for the health
imperative to constantly update medical and safety of patients, providing safe and
knowledge in accordance with the effective care. In contrast, lecturers have a
development of health sciences confirms responsibility for student success and
significant intellectual demands. So do development, as well as providing quality
lecturers, who must stay current with teaching to support their academic progress.
scientific and technological advances in their Based on the similar characteristics of
academic fields [27], while maintaining high doctors and lecturers from the demands of
standards of professionalism in providing work as employees in organizations, there are
teaching and contributing to the academic indications of similarities in cultural entropy
community [28]. issues. Cultural entropy research in higher
Second, there are administrative education institutions, especially higher
responsibilities that must be carried out by education, is a topic that is still rarely
both professions. Although the primary focus researched and very interesting to discuss.
of physicians is to provide direct care to Understanding and handling cultural entropy
patients, they must also address is key to improving employee performance
administrative responsibilities such as and achieving organizational success in
recording medical history and participation in higher education institutions. Targeted
hospital policies. Meanwhile, lecturers are cultural transformation can have a positive
involved in administrative tasks such as impact in shaping a productive, innovative,
lecture schedule management, student and long-term growth work environment of
assessment, and attendance at department an organization.
meetings or academic committees.
Team collaboration is the third aspect 5. CONCLUSION
that is similar among doctors and lecturers.
Cultural entropy, as a concept
Doctors work in multidisciplinary teams in
introduced by Richard Barrett, addresses the
healthcare settings, coordinating with a
degree to which cultural imperfections within
variety of healthcare professionals.
an organization affect employee performance
Conversely, lecturers can also be found
and, ultimately, the entire organization.
working in teams, especially in curriculum
Through various case studies, especially in
development, joint research projects, or
the health sector and higher education
institutional initiatives. Fourth, both doctors
institutions, it was revealed that factors such
and lecturers face demand to update their
as excessive bureaucracy, lack of information
skills and knowledge. Physicians must keep
vagueness, and lack of employee engagement
their medical skills updated as medical
can be triggers for high cultural entropy.
science evolves, while lecturers must remain
Transformational leadership is emerging as a
relevant to the current literature and practices
key element in overcoming cultural entropy,
in their disciplines.
with leaders capable of leading change,
The fifth aspect is a commitment to
shaping positive organizational cultures, and
professional ethics and standards. Doctors
stimulating action learning. Although cultural
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