What kind of culture is created in a controlled environment like the workplace?
The common definition suggests that work culture is a way of thinking, behaving, or working that exists in a place or organisation.
Where does culture exist outside of a petri dish?
Much of what we ascribe to work culture is far from organic and in fact resembles the artificial condition of the laboratory.
Work to live or live to work?
This is the question that animates discussion of work in the modern era. Many people in the world are still trapped by the necessity of work for income. Those of us who live in prosperous countries are trapped by the conditioning of work.
Thinking
Work integrates us into the economic system, but is also the primary mode of cooperation with others. Our thoughts and cultural expectations are already shaped before we join an organisation. The minor adjustments our workplace makes are inconsequential.
Behaving
Work is a form of social control. In capitalist societies, it provides a promise of independent means and citizenship. We expect to be controlled and accept the normative adjustments required by our workplaces. What we think of as work culture is mere passive resistance.
Working
Why are we so willing to live for work? Beyond our basic needs, it is the promise of a place where we can meet our desires. The extrinsic motivation pales in comparison with our need for self-actualisation.
Work is fun but we worship more at the cathedral than exchange at the bazaar.