Toyota Organizational Culture

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 represents one of the top automobile manufacturers offices in North America to work for. Toyota boasts that their, "integrity, passion, and innovation extend beyond vehicle manufacturing."7This bold statement is backed by a strong policies and procedures that they have been put in place. The Toyota Corporation forward thinking. For Toyota to foresee the growth that is to occur ahead, they must begin by looking at their past. Toyota has established itself as a top competitor in the North American and Global automotive market place by practicing the formula that started it all back in 1957. Hiring people not as employees but as individuals has set bar for corporate achievement. Understanding that people possess different strengths and abilities have benefited the individual through exploiting as many possible talents in one area, thus creating greater opportunity for growth within the corporation. Toyota's diversified employment approach births the new ideas and future concepts that keep emerging on the frontier of the automotive industry, thereby maintaining Canadian and Global industry leadership. One of Toyota's top ten official business strategies is to recruit the best and brightest, thereby creating new opportunities for partnerships. These key strategies give the perception to the consumer and employee that Toyota holds a "reputation for excellence"8 on all levels of operation. Toyota believes in being ethical in the business sense as well as the social sense. Ethics begin at the core of the company and work their way out. Top management believes in diversification and through that diversification representing many faces at Toyota i.e. minorities. No stereotypical assumptions or prejudices are apparent at Toyota, just the selection of talented individuals who posses leadership and innovation. Socially, Toyota portrays as positive corporate image. Toyota quotes, "We also believe in helping people improve the quality of life in their communities. We work with organizations, schools, universities, and other businesses to support programs that help make our world a better place."9These ideals are practiced across the country and internationally.

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  In line with its belief that 'People make the difference', TCL focuses in nurturing employee potential through involvement, empowerment and continuous learning. The organization structure, which lays emphasis on delegation, has helped develop the company's culture. The structure allows immense scope for continuous improvement; managers do not need to worry about day-to-day operations, and can thus better focus on breakthrough improvements. The delegation of responsibility to lower levels has also helped in developing a culture of initiative and risk taking. The organizational culture can be best described as one of empowerment, delegation and total employee empowerment (and hence, employee involvement). The company culture is such that individual as well as teams are recognized for their achievements. Teams are recognized on a quarterly basis based on their performance and some key measures. Teams are also recognized for 'Best Kaizens'. Individual growth is related to one's performance in the team. Thus, team members can not shirk their responsibility. In addition, social loafing is not possible due to peer pressure. Another interesting aspect is that workers are known as associates and not workers. This simple step helps inculcate a sense of belonging and loyalty towards the company. Team play is an important characteristic of the culture and the organization strives hard to maintain and promote it. The team play is defined as the ability to submerge individual needs to the needs of the group, building on the strengths and complimenting the weaknesses of other Team Members to ensure group's objectives are met. Every Team Member identifies himself/herself with the Team and feels proud to be part of the Team. There are a number of inter Team contests, Team Building exercises, constant interaction and counseling by Team Developer, Celebration for every small success. A Team can be in different stages of Team Play. Five levels of evolution have been defined and a Team's level can be ascertained by observation in a particular period of time.