Session Title

Generative Organizations for The Future

Abstract

In a fast-changing world, the value of a corporate culture that favors information flow is great. While we work on trying to have the best information technology and artificial intelligence, organizational culture counts too. Studies of highly effective organizations suggest that a generative culture is more likely to work to develop the psychological safety and cooperation that is needed. But how is such an organizational culture to be initiated and nurtured? Leaders are the most powerful driving force to bring this culture into being and to keep it vital. Yet we often see managers in global organizations whose attitudes and actions prevent the formation of generative culture and instead emphasize other things.

Bio

Ron Westrum is Professor of Sociology Emeritus at Eastern Michigan University. He specializes in the sociology of science and technology, and in the dynamics of corporate culture. He has written three books, and some fifty technical papers. His last book is Sidewinder: Missile Design at China Lake, now in its fourth printing. He is well known for his "continuum of corporate culture" based on the flow of information, which has been adopted by many large technical organizations. He has worked on system safety in aviation and medicine, and given talks for many groups supported by NATO and the United Nations.