How would you define organizational culture?

Edgar Schein, one of the most prominent theorists of organizational culture, gave the following very general definition:

The culture of a group can now be defined as: A pattern of shared basic assumptions that the group learned as it solved its problems of external adaptation and internal integration, that has worked well enough to be considered valid and therefore, to be taught to new members as the correct way to perceive, think, and feel in relation to those problems. (Schein 373-374)

What are the elements of organizational culture?

Elements of organizational culture may include:

Stated and unstated values.
Overt and implicit expectations for member behavior.
Customs and rituals.
Stories and myths about the history of the group.
Shop talk?typical language used in and about the group.
Climate?the feelings evoked by the way members interact with each other, with outsiders, and with their environment, including the physical space they occupy.
Metaphors and symbols?may be unconscious but can be found embodied in other cultural elements.

source: http://www.soi.org/reading/change/culture.shtml

How do the values and ethics of senior management affect organizational culture?

It is the senior management who lead and guide the entire organization and its employees towards its goals and objectives and frame the overall corporate strategy outlining broad guidelines, framework, goals, values, etc. Thus, they are the ones whom the entire organization look for guidance, direction and motivation. Thus, their own values and ethics will set the direction for the entire organization to follow. If they will be ethical themselves, the entire organization will try to follow their leader in terms of ethical practices. Similarly, their own values will be reflected in the corporate strategy of the organization.

What elements of organizational culture impact the effectiveness of work teams in the organization?

Elements such as climate, customs and rituals, which impact practices such as decision making authority, communication processes, authority and responsibility, participation,etc. impact the effectiveness of work teams in the organization.