An Introduction to the Cultural Web – Johnson and Scholes

Gerry Johnson and Kevan Scholes' Cultural Model

Strategy and development in an organisation are influenced heavily by the culture and environment.

This is often positive, but it can also act as a hindrance, or even a barrier, to growth and success. When trying to drive change, managers and other figures of responsibility may find it difficult to break out of the systems, structures, and routines embedded in the company’s culture and politics, and individual relationships often play a huge role in deciding strategy. 

Published by academics Kevan Scholes and Gerry Johnson in 1992, the Cultural Web is a useful tool for analysing and altering assumptions surrounding the culture of a company. It can be used to highlight specific practices and beliefs, and to subsequently align them with your company’s preferred culture and strategy.

Each of these areas contributes to the overall organisational culture and can be adjusted one-by-one by leaders in order to achieve their desired end state. 

For more information on the model and how to apply it, please explore our Premium module in this course.