Case Study: Barclays' Cultural Clashes and the Use of Quaker History

This case study delves into the cultural dynamics of Barclays Investment Banking, analyzing its existing culture and the potential impact of leveraging its Quaker history under Reformist Antony Jenkins. It uses the cultural web framework, highlighting elements like paradigms, rituals, stories, symbols, power structures, organizational structures, and control systems to understand Barclays' culture. The study also explores the advantages, such as learning from past strategies and legitimizing change, and disadvantages, including oversimplification, of drawing on Barclays' history. The analysis concludes that understanding and utilizing culture is crucial for the company's operations and strategic decision-making. Desklib provides access to similar case studies and solved assignments for students.

Activity 3.1 Case study

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Analysis of culture of Barclays Investment Banking Business..............................................1
Advantages and disadvantages of drawing on this history.....................................................2
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................4
Online.....................................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
The present report basically focuses on the Case Study “ Cultural Clashes at Barclays
Bank. The report focuses on the analysis of the culture of Barclays Investment Banking Business
and how Reformist Antony Jenkins could use Barclay's Quaker History for the purpose to draw
advantages and disadvantages.
MAIN BODY
Analysis of culture of Barclays Investment Banking Business
In context to organization, for the purpose to have deep understanding about the present
culture and its effects, it is very crucial for the organization to analyse the culture of the
company. As per the case study, the cultural web basically depicts the symbolic, behavioural and
physical culture manifestations which helps in informing about the paradigm or taken for granted
assumptions of an enterprise. In relation to the cultural web, it can be basically used for the
purpose to have better knowledge about the culture. The cultural web basically comprises of
seven elements which comprises of the following:
Paradigm: It basically describes the set of assumptions which are common and or taken for
granted in the company. For organizations, it is very crucial to understand the paradigm.
Rituals and Routines: In case of Routines, it basically depicts the way we do things around here
on every day basis. The rituals of company basically describes the special events or particular
activities which reinforce or emphasise the culture and its importance (EXPLORING STRATEGY
ELEVENTH EDITION).
Stories: These are basically told by the organization's members to each other, to new recruits and
outsides.
Symbols: It basically involves acts, objects and events that create, maintain and convey meaning
over and above their functional purpose.
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Power: It can be basically described as the ability of groups or individuals to induce, persuade
and coerce others into certain course of action.
Organisational Structures: These are basically the reporting relationships, roles and
responsibilities in the company. Such type of structure basically reflects the power structure and
how to manifest oneself.
Control Systems: These are basically the informal and formal methods of supporting and
monitoring individuals within or around the company which basically helps in understanding
what is important for the company.
Advantages and disadvantages of drawing on this history
There are various disadvantages and advantages of drawing on the history which
basically comprises of the following:
There are various ways through which the managers can use history which offers advantages
such as:
Learning from the past: For the objective to have deep knowledge about the current strategic
position of the company, the past details or history can offer useful lessons. For example,
organizations like Procter & Gamble and Unilever uses century's history for the aim to predict
the rival's likely response to any competitive move.
Legitimising change and strategy: The history can be used as a resource in order to legitimise
strategic change and strategies. Past successes effecting strategies can be majorly used for the
purpose to manage innovation and change and to encourage commitment to future changes.
In case of disadvantages, Peace and Simplicity could be considered as the major
disadvantage. In case of simplicity, it basically involves denying indulgence to let the
unnecessary thought disappearing in order to know what is important and real to the society.
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CONCLUSION
From the above analysis, it can be concluded that culture plays a very important role
when it comes to running company's operations and also using past history allows the managers
to enjoy different advantages.
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REFERENCES
Online
EXPLORING STRATEGY ELEVENTH EDITION [Online] Available Through
<https://www.academia.edu/44504531/EXPLORING_STRATEGY_ELEVENTH_EDITION>
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