The Great State of New York Paid Its Bills from a Grocery Store Shopping Cart— Organizational Culture: Its Theory and Practice

Abstract

This article discusses a how the leaders of a major government organization changed the culture of the organization to improve the effectiveness of its operations. The authors explore the union-driven, civil service environment they confronted and how it is possible to bring about change and make operations better. In addition to using an actual example of change, the authors also explore the theory of organizational culture so the reader may be able to bring about cultural change in his or her operations to make the organization more effective.

Notes

¹. R. Harrison and H. Stokes, Diagnosing Organizational Culture, Trainer’s Manual (San Diego, CA: Pfeiffer and Co., 1996), 30.

2. M. Hatch, “The Dynamics of Organizational Change,” Academy of Management Review 18(4) (1994): 657–663.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Robert H. Attmore

Robert H. Attmore, CPA, previously served as the Chairman of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, New York State Deputy Comptroller, President of the National State Auditors Association, Trustee of the Academy for Government Accountability, and in leadership roles of various professional associations. He is widely recognized as an expert in government finance, accounting, and management issues. Currently, he serves as a Senior Fellow of the Governing Institute and a member of the U.S. Government Accountability Office’s Audit Advisory Committee.

David R. Hancox

David R. Hancox, CIA, CGFM, is co-author with Mr. Marty Ives of two books on government performance auditing. He is on the faculty of Siena College in Loudonville, NY, and the Graduate School USA in Washington, DC. He is the former Director of the NYS Comptroller’s Bureau of State Expenditures and Director of State Audit. He is an international speaker and also provides advisory and management services to government and private sector organizations today. You can contact him at [email protected]