5CO01 Learning Outcome 2: Organisational Culture and Behaviour

A central part of 5CO01 is organisational culture and how people behave at work. This is where you show understanding of the theory and, crucially, apply it to your organisation. Check your own brief for the exact outcomes and criteria.

What organisational culture means

Culture is the shared values, beliefs and behaviours that shape how things are done in an organisation. It affects engagement, performance and how well change lands. A strong answer explains not just what culture is, but how it shows up in your organisation.

Useful theories and models

• Schein's three levels of culture: artefacts, espoused values and basic assumptions
• Handy's cultural types: power, role, task and person cultures
• Hofstede's dimensions: useful for cross-cultural and international contexts

Linking culture to behaviour and performance

Show how culture influences the way people behave, and how that behaviour affects performance. Then connect it to people practice: how could the people function shape or shift the culture to support the organisation's goals? That analysis and application is what Level 5 rewards.

See the complete 5CO01 guide for the full picture, and our recommended theories article for more models you can use across the unit.