Business and economic experts have identified an organisation’s culture and behaviour as critical factors to its success or otherwise.
The experts made their submissions on Thursday at a seminar organised by the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the seminar is themed “The Heart of Success: How Organisational Culture and Behaviour Drive Organisational Effectiveness”.
According to Dr Emmanuel Imafidon, a Senior Fellow, Lagos Business School, Pan Atlantic University, organisational culture matters because it can be a powerful source of competitive advantage.
“Organisational culture galvanises a distinct identity, setting the organisation apart from the competition,” he said.
He says an organisation that prioritises the development of a strong and positive culture-fostering environment will witness a significant increase in productivity and have its goals constantly achieved.
Imafidon also described organisational culture as central because of its ability to shape and enhance employees’ behaviour, collaboration and communication, thus fostering innovation and agility.
According to him, building organisational culture requires deliberate efforts and intentionality from leaders, who act as cultural architects by setting precedents with their actions and decisions.
He listed the following as a few practices to foster a culture that drives effectiveness: leadership and communication skills, hiring and onboarding for cultural fit, and institutionalising organisational culture through symbols.
The seminar’s chairperson and founder of Phillips Group, Mr Foluso Phillips, said organisations build foundations for long-term resilience, agility and success through fostering a culture aligned with vision, strategies and goals.
Earlier, NISER Director-General, Prof. Antonia Simbine, described the seminar as a reflection on ways organisational culture and behaviour shape the effectiveness of public institutions, private enterprises and civil society organisations.
According to her, Nigerians in both private and public spaces struggling to build systems and institutions must do so sustainably and ethically to achieve their objectives.
“The behaviour and culture of an organisation where we find ourselves have an impact on the success we want to achieve.
“Our expectations at the end of this seminar is for participants to understand better how behaviour and culture impact the organisation and put it into use,” she said.
NAN reports the seminar’s panellists are, Prof. Oka Obono, Sociology Department, University of Ibadan; Head, New Business Development, Ampersand Global Investment, Omotola Oshinowo and Lead Consultant, DeftAdroit Consulting, Chizoba Mojekwu. (NAN)
