MGT 3305 Exam 1

what is organizational behavior

the discipline that seeks to:

* explain human behavior in organizations
* examine the behavior of individuals, groups or the members of the organization as a whole

what is the order of the behavioral levels

individual → interpersonal → organizational

what are the three types of skills

technical, relational and conceptual

what are technical skills

expertise in your field

what are relational skills

getting along with others

what are conceptual skills

understanding complex issues and solving problems

why should we study organizational behavior

understanding self, improve interactions, increase contribution to an organization

what are the two approaches to effective OB

conventional and sustainable

what are some of the characteristics of conventional OB

personal, predictability and short-term profits

* contributed to material or financial wellbeing
* interests of a narrow range of stakeholder
* immediate in nature

what are some of the sustainable OB characteristics

community, creativity, long-term consequences

* contributes to multiple forms of well-being
* broad range of stakeholders
* immediate and distant future

what are the advantages of considering both types

better understand the original position, enhances critical thinking, explores effects on multiple stakeholders

what are the basic functions of management/ stages of management

planning, organizing, leading and controlling

what is planning

how leaders set goals and design strategies to achieve them

what is practical wisdom

exercising discretion to achieve what is good

what is organizing

arranging human and other organizational resources in order to achieve planned goals and strategies

what is courage

taking action to do what is good regardless of personal consequences

what is leading

uses systems and interpersonal human skills to influence others to achieve organizational goals

what is self-control

emotional regulation and ability to overcome impulsive actions

what is controlling

ensures that organizational members do what they are supposed to be doing and that their performance meets expectations

what is justice

the sense of “fairness” within the organization

Integration of OB concepts

attributes→ individual → interpersonal → organizational

what is organizational culture

set of shared (values, norms, standards, expectations) that influence the ways in which (individuals, teams, groups) interact with one another and work toward organizational goals

what are cultural artifacts

provides tangible evidence of an organization’s values and may include the organization’s physical features, shared stories, rituals and formal structure and symbols

* provides insights into its culture

what are shared stories

well-known narrative accounts that form the oral history of critical events that have shaped the organization

what are rituals

behavioral practices that perpetuate, reinforce and keep alive a particular value that defines the organization

what is the competing values framework

a useful tool for helping to understand the shared values and assumptions that guide organizational behavior

predictability vs adaptability

predictability: value stability, norms and standard are welcome, typically older organizations

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adaptability: thrive in change, able to adapt, create change for the sake of change to keep things interesting

external focus vs internal focus

external focus: organizational goals more important than member goals, employees treated as a number, employees overworked and underpaid

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internal focus: organization focuses on meeting employees goals, members encouraged to express themselves

what is authenticity

being true to oneself, living so that outward actions match up with inner self, knowing who you are and what you want to be

what is authentic leadership

when in a leadership role:

* being self-aware
* staying true to an internal sense of what is right
* relating to others transparently
* objectively balancing all relevant data decision making

what are authentic leadership traits

* exhibit integrity and predictability
* exhibit trustworthiness
* enhance positive emotions
* enhance psychological capital

what does leading yourself mean

* being authentic in your roles inside and outside of organizations
* acting with integrity

what are some behavioral strategies

self-goal setting, self-observation, self-cuing and self-reinforcement

what are some constructive thought patterns

visualizing performance, positive self-talk, evaluating beliefs and assumptions

what are the 4 quadrants of the Johari Window

public self, hidden/secret self, blind spots and unknown

what are the benefits of self-awareness

* greater self confidence
* trust in your ability to change circumstances when needed
* higher self-esteem
* more positive emotions
* reduced anxiety and depression

what is humility

* proper sense of self
* awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses
* an appreciation of knowledge outside of yourself

what is hubris

“grandiose sense of self” evident in excessive confidence and narcissism

how to increase self-awareness

* self-assessment
* results from life experiences, successes and failures
* some lessons are obvious to us
* others we learn from conscious reflection or feedback from others

what is creativity

process of coming up with novel or useful ideas for solving a problem or developing an opportunity

what are the steps of the creative process

preparation, incubation, inspiration, validation

what are organizations

social structures created by individuals to support the collaborative pursuit of specific goals

what is virtue theory

focuses on character and the ways in which people practice and facilitate the practice of virtues in community, thereby facilitating happiness

what are virtues

good ways of acting that are noble or have value regardless of the end result or consequences

what is management

the process of planning, organizing, leading and controlling human and other organizational resources toward the achievement of organizational goals

what is standardization

achieving coordination across organizational members

what are the 2 basic categories of elements in an organization’s culture

informal elements and formal elements

what is organizational structure

the formal arrangements and linkages among members and groups that specify work activities and subtasks and allow them to be completed

what is psychological capital

the sum of psychological resources represented by self-efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience that motivates and individual to persevere towards goals despite adversity

what is feedback seeking behavior

asking for feedback or collecting information from the work environment to better understand how you are performing

what are the 3 types of activities that can help people to live intentionally

behavioral strategies, natural rewards and constructive thought patterns

what are natural rewards

a task that is unpleasant or not naturally motivating can be more motivating if connected to a natural reward

what is a calling

an experienced passion and sense of meaning toward work or a career

what is stress

the body’s state of heightened readiness for action in response to challenges or pressures in the environment

what is depersonalization

a psychological detachment from and distancing of yourself from others

what are the 2 keys to managing stress

take care of your whole person and develop the resources required for the situation

what is innovation

takes a creative idea and puts it into practice

what is divergent thinking

looking at a problem in a new way

what is convergent thinking

looking at a problem from a traditional perspective and then trying to find the best solution by thinking logically

what is preparation

in the form of hard work and a high level of intentionality to assemble relevant information about the problem to be solved

what is incubation

decision maker stops thinking intensively about the problem and allows it to exist in the back of his or her mind

what is inspiration

either a flash of insight or a gradual awareness that the problem has a solution

what is validation

test the creative solution to see if it works

what are the 5 strategies for improving creativity in organizations

* encourage diversity
* encourage interdepartmental communication
* set goals and deadlines
* offer positive reinforcement
* provide appropriate resource support

what are the two types of role conflict

work-life conflict and work-family conflict

what is work-life balance

an overall appraisal of the extent to which individuals effectiveness and satisfaction in work and life roles are consistent with their life values at a given point