How do group norms influence the ethical behavior of an organization? What happens when the norms of a particular group conflict with the organization's corporate culture or objectives?

Group normsare standards of behavior groups expect of their members. Just as corporateculture establishes behavior guidelines for an organization's members, group norms helpdefine acceptable and unacceptable behavior within a group. In particular, group normsdefine the limit allowed on deviations from group expectations. Norms also provide explicitethical directions. Theyhave the power to enforce a strong degree of conformity among group members. At the same time, they define the different roles for various positions within theorganization.Sometimes group norms conflict with the values and rules prescribed by the organization's culture. If this happens, it often results in a culture that is inconsistent with its purported rules and values. In this case, management should take corrective action and continually monitor not only the corporate culture but also the norms of all the various groups in the organization.