OB Ch 1: What's Organizational Behavior?

Vocabulary flashcards covering core definitions, frameworks, and foundational concepts from Chapter 1: What Is Organizational Behaviour?

Organizational Behaviour (OB)

A field of study that investigates the impact of individuals, groups, and structure on behaviour within organizations; its purpose is to apply such knowledge toward improving an organization's effectiveness.

Organization

A consciously coordinated social unit, composed of a group of people, that functions on a relatively continuous basis to achieve a common goal or set of goals.

Contingency Approach

An approach taken by OB that considers behaviour within the context or situation in which it occurs, recognizing that humans are complex and universal principles are few.

Systematic Study

Looking at relationships, attempting to attribute causes and effects, and drawing conclusions based on scientific evidence.

Evidence-Based Management (EBM)

The basing of managerial decisions on the best available scientific evidence, complementing systematic study.

Intuition

An instinctive feeling, often called a "gut feeling," that is not necessarily supported by research.

Workforce Diversity

The mix of people in organizations in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, age, and demographic characteristics such as education and socio-economic status.

Networked Organizations

Organizations that allow people to communicate and work together even though they may be located in different physical places.

Positive Organizational Scholarship

An area of OB research that concerns how organizations develop human strengths, foster vitality and resilience, and unlock potential rather than dwelling on limitations.

Ethical Dilemmas and Ethical Choices

Situations in which individuals are required to define right and wrong conduct, often under pressure to cut corners or break rules.

Ethics

The study of moral values or principles that guide our behaviour and inform us whether actions are right or wrong.

Model

An abstraction of reality; a simplified representation of some real-world phenomenon.

Inputs

Variables such as personality, group structure, and organizational culture that lead to processes, often determined in advance of the employment relationship.

Processes

Actions that individuals, groups, and organizations engage in as a result of inputs and that lead to certain outcomes.

Outcomes

Key factors that are affected by some other variables at the individual, group, and organizational levels.

Interpersonal Skills

The abilities that enable effective communication, interaction, and collaboration with others in a workplace setting. These skills include emotional intelligence, active listening, conflict resolution, and teamwork.

4 Building Blocks

Psychology, Social Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology

Psychology

Measure, explain, and change someone’s behavior.

Social psychology

People’s influence on one another and measuring understanding and changing attitudes

Sociology

Studies people in relation to their environment or culture

Anthropology

Studies societies to learn about humans and their activities

Workplace Challenges

Misalignment between company and ideals and implementation.

Adapting to workplace diversity.