Perhaps the best example of a structural-functionalist theory in action is at Google, where specific types of organizational institutions, such as free lunches and yoga classes, create a common organizational culture and generate a community of freedom, openness, tolerance, and constant mutual exchanges of thoughts and ideas. A negative example of organizational structures, such as the cutthroat competition that encouraged irresponsible lending practices at many investment banking firms, also demonstrates how organizational structures create certain commonly-accepted standards that people tend to obey to promote social harmony.
Conflict theory, however, would emphasize how within organizations there is often intense factionalism between different groups of people. Particularly in modern organizations where historically discriminated-against groups are gaining traction within managerial positions, but still often experience discrimination, the struggle between opposing forces of change and stasis is manifest (Smith & Rogers 2000). Conflict may also be seen after two large organizations merge, meshing two competing cultures together -- one of which must inevitably win out.
Symbolic...
It is not uncommon to see someone promoted simply because he or she seems to 'suit' the culture, or is able to follow the unspoken 'script' of the business environment. Someone who is equally talented might be ostracized simply because he or she does not socially fit in. Symbolic interactionism also explains how people without formal power on a hierarchy, like lower-level employees, can have a powerful influence in terms of their attitude and work practices to pressure management to make decisions.
References
Conflict theory. (2011). About sociology. Retrieved January 9, 2011 at http://www.aboutsociology.com/sociology/Conflict_theory
Smith, Aileen & Rogers, Violet (2000, Nov). Ethics-related responses to specific situation vignettes: Evidence of gender-based differences and occupational socialization.
Journal of Business Ethics. 28(1). 73-87
Symbolic interactionism. (2011). Intro Theories. Grinnell College.
Retrieved January 9, 2011 at http://web.grinnell.edu/courses/soc/s00/soc111-01/IntroTheories/Symbolic.html
