What are informal rules that guide employee behavior to achieve acceptance and organizational goals called?

The correct answer is norms because they represent the unwritten rules that shape the behavior and expectations of employees within an organization. Norms are the shared standards and practices that evolve organically among colleagues, influencing how individuals interact with each other and conduct their work. They help establish a social framework that governs employee behavior, encouraging adherence to the values and goals of the organization without the need for formal directives.

Unlike policies, which are formalized rules or guidelines designed to ensure consistency and compliance within an organization, or procedures, which are structured methods for performing tasks, norms arise from the collective behavior and attitudes of employees. Cultures encompass a broader set of beliefs and values within an organization, providing a context for norms, but they do not necessarily dictate specific behaviors as norms do. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why norms specifically refer to the informal, often implicit guidelines that influence daily operations and interactions among team members.