comprehension

[Joe]

Dear teachers, please help me sort those out.

1) ...such as a university, an academic department, an employee's company...

Why "an employee's company"? Is there any company which do not have any employees? If so, why not "a patients' hospital" or "a students' university"?

2) What is "gather oneself together"?

3) Despite its corporate image, Disney still had a savvy, playful element among its employees.

What is "corporate image"?

Thanks very much! :)

[Francois]

It says that the company is considered from the point of view of an employee eg.
-- Who's going to pay?
-- Your company
-- Wait, I don't own any company!

To gather oneself together means to prepare for action.

A corporate image is that of a big, serious company who attaches strong value to rules and core values like discipline, commitment, dedication etc. The employees are to do their best, individually and collectively, for their company. I used to work for JPMorgan, an American bank, and they had some corporate culture!

FRC

[Joe]

It says that the company is considered from the point of view of an employee eg.
-- Who's going to pay?
-- Your company
-- Wait, I don't own any company!
FRC

Thanks, Francois, our new teacher. :) Are you saying that having many different meanings, "company" itself does not clearly indicates what the speaker want to say? But with "employees'", we would know the speaker is referring to "a business organization" but not anything else. Am I close?

[Francois]

Thanks, Francois, our new teacher

No, no, no :) Answering questions helps me probably at least as much as it helps others (if any). For one thing, I often have to check up what I say to avoid ending with egg on my face (again). I hope it doesn't come across as an ego thing :| Anyway if it bothers you just say so.

I would say that adding "employee's"

Are you saying that having many different meanings, "company" itself does not clearly indicates what the speaker want to say?

Yes, I think it's clear enough most of the time, but sometimes it's useful to specify what company you're talking about: the business you own, the company that employs you, your insurance company etc.

FRC