Date of Award
2017
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Honors Thesis
Department
History
First Advisor
Elise Edwards
Abstract
This ethnography follows a small business in Indianapolis that was founded on a small business philosophy that embodied family-oriented, close-knit employee relationships. Aside from the small firm finding success in its established company culture, this small business found great financial success within a niche market. However, as part of new expansion plans, management began imposing a more traditional, hierarchical management styles. While this shift is predicted by contemporary management theory, the human effects and cultural costs of this process are worthy of study. This ethnography follows employees’ perceptions and reactions to the change in business philosophy and analyzes the instability that arises in the workplace as managers prepare for the next phase of expansion.
Recommended Citation
Maggos, Alexia, "“Culture Shock”: An Ethnographic Account of a Small Business in the Face of Change" (2017). Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection. 371.
https://digitalcommons.butler.edu/ugtheses/371