Publisher's Synopsis
This paper begins with a discussion on organizational culture. Organizational culture is defined and the various categories of subcultures discussed, covering the many ways the space community within the Air Force (AF) can be categorized as a subculture as well as highlighting the differences between the two cultures. The persistence of the space culture through attempts to marginalize or assimilate it and the resurgence of this culture due to the recent recommendations of the Space Commission is also discussed. The persistence, resurgence, and widespread nature of the space culture makes the space community appear more like an independent organization than a subculture within the AF. To determine if the space community is an independent organization, the stages of organizational growth are defined and applied to both the AF and the space community. The AF is shown to be in the third stage of growth, Maturity/Decline, while the space community is still in the second stage, Organizational Midlife. Existing at different stages of organizational growth proves that the space community should be an independent organization, not just a sub-organization within the AF and an organizational change is needed. This paper then reviews a model for determining the correct timing for such organizational changes. Applying the history detailed in this report, along with more recent events, to this change model shows that now is the time for an organizational change.
