Interpreting organizational culture and communication

This thesis involves an ethnographic study of the cultural values and communication channels of a social service agency from March 1, 1995 through February 29, 1996. Founded in 1961, Stairways is proud of its vision to "create a healing community" by raising awareness of mental illness and collaborating with various community entities to provide living facilities and services for persons with mental illness. Early in 1995, organizational leaders launched a campaign to engage employees in addressing organizational change as Stairways moves into the next century. A study of the agency at this particular time can provide insights into what occurs with culture and communications during organizational change. How cultural values and communication methods are manifest in this specific mental health agency may be helpful to the study of other social service agencies and organizations in general.