People Management Exam Notes

What is Organizational Behavior (OB)?

The study of how individuals, groups, and structure impact behavior within organizations, aiming to improve organizational effectiveness.

What are the focal points of Organizational Behavior?

Motivation, leader behavior and power, interpersonal communication, group structures and processes, attitude development and perception, change processes, conflict and negotiation, work design.

What is the difference between 'Systematic Study' and 'Intuition' in OB?

Intuition refers to gut feelings about behavior, whereas systematic study involves evaluating relationships based on scientific evidence to accurately predict behavior.

What is Evidence-Based Management?

Decision-making based on the best available scientific evidence, encouraging a scientific approach in problem-solving among managers.

Which disciplines contribute to Organizational Behavior?

Psychology, Social Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology.

What are some conditions of employment?

Compensation structures (salary, hourly, bonuses), flexible work options (remote, flextime), and employment status.

What are key challenges in Organizational Behavior?

Globalization, workforce demographics, managing diversity, the impact of social media, and focusing on employee well-being.

What are Terminal Values?

Desirable end-states of existence, such as a comfortable life, sense of accomplishment, or a world of peace.

What is the definition of Motivation in OB?

The processes that account for an individual’s intensity, direction, and persistence of effort toward attaining a goal.

What are the five levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

Physiological Needs, Safety Needs, Social Needs, Esteem Needs, Self-Actualization.

What are the two factors in Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory?

Hygiene Factors and Motivation Factors.

What does McClelland's Theory of Needs focus on?

Need for Achievement (nAch), Need for Power (nPow), and Need for Affiliation (nAff).

What are essential elements for team effectiveness?

Common plan and purpose, specific goals, team efficacy, team identity, team cohesion, mental models, and trust.

What causes conflict within organizations?

Interdependence conflicts, differences in style, background/gender differences, and differences in leadership.

What are the five conflict-handling modes?

Competing, Collaborating, Avoiding, Accommodating, Compromising.

How do transformational leaders motivate followers?

By inspiring them to prioritize the organization's needs over personal interests, instilling pride and trust.

What is Team Cohesion?

The bond that holds the team together, facilitating cooperation and effectiveness.

Employee Well-Being

The state of health, happiness, and prosperity that employees experience in the workplace, crucial for productivity.

Diversity in Workforce

Recognition and management of differences among employees, including gender, age, race, and ethnicity.

Systematic Study in OB

The use of scientific evidence to understand and predict behavior rather than relying on intuition.

Evidence-Based Management

A decision-making approach that relies on the best available scientific evidence to solve problems.

Organizational Justice

The perception of fairness in the workplace, comprising distributive, procedural, and interactional justice.

Self-Efficacy Theory

A contemporary motivation theory stating that belief in one's capability impacts motivation and performance.

Expectancy Theory

A motivation theory that suggests individuals are motivated based on expected outcomes of their actions.

Conflict Resolution Styles

Various approaches to resolving conflicts, including competing, collaborating, avoiding, accommodating, and compromising.

Charismatic Leadership

Leadership characterized by qualities that inspire and generate admiration in followers, often linked to transformational leadership.

Team Effectiveness

Measured by factors such as common purpose, team efficacy, and trust, impacting overall team performance.