Which term describes deeply ingrained beliefs that employees act upon without questioning?

The term that describes deeply ingrained beliefs that employees act upon without questioning is "Basic Underlying Assumptions." These assumptions are often taken for granted and serve as the foundation of an organization's culture. They provide a framework for how employees perceive, think, and feel about their environment and their roles within it. Since these assumptions are deeply embedded in the organization's fabric, they often go unnoticed and can greatly influence behavior, decision-making, and interactions among employees.

In contrast, while "Core Assumptions" may seem like a logical choice, it lacks the nuance of being inherently unquestioned and deeply ingrained. "Institutional Beliefs" and "Ingrained Norms," while related, do not encapsulate the profound and almost subconscious nature of the beliefs that form the basis of an organization's culture as effectively as "Basic Underlying Assumptions" does. These underlying assumptions dictate behaviors and reactions to situations, making them a critical area of focus for understanding organizational dynamics.