Managing People and Businesses - Organisational Behaviour

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering organisational behaviour, management theories (Taylor, McGregor, Herzberg, McClelland, Maslow), the Hawthorne effect, and structural approaches (Systems and Contingency).

What is the definition and goal of organizational behaviour?

Organisational behaviour is the study of human and group behaviour within organisations. It examines structure and management to understand, predict, and control human behaviour in order to improve performance, effectiveness, and integrate people with business aims and objectives.

What are the core characteristics of Taylor's Scientific Management (Classical) theory?

It aims to improve management to increase productivity by structuring work tasks with fewer required skills, applying high levels of control and supervision, and viewing workers as machines rather than people.

What is the psychological contract in an organization?

It is the unwritten relationship between employees and management regarding mutual expectations, beliefs, ambitions, and obligations, which influences how employees work based on fairness and trust.

What does the Human Relations Approach emphasize, and who is a key researcher associated with it?

It focuses on social factors at work and individual psychological and social needs. Elton Mayo is a key researcher who emphasized employee development and empowerment.

How do McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y differ regarding assumptions about workers?

Theory X holds negative assumptions, viewing workers as lazy, working only for self-interest, and needing close management via rewards and punishments. Theory Y holds positive assumptions, viewing workers as valuable assets who enjoy their job and do not require close management.

How would Theory X and Theory Y managers view employees working from home differently?

Theory X managers would believe employees may shirk and require close supervision, whereas Theory Y managers would trust employees to be productive without supervision.

According to Herzberg's Two-factor theory, which factors lead to job satisfaction versus job dissatisfaction?

Satisfaction is driven by motivators: achievement, recognition, responsibility, the work itself, and advancement/growth. Dissatisfaction is driven by hygiene factors: company policies, supervision, work conditions, salary, and security.

What are the three motivators identified in McClelland's Theory of Motivation?

1. Affiliation: wanting to belong to a group; 2. Achievement: needing to set and accomplish challenging goals; 3. Power: wanting control and influence over others.

What is the Hawthorne Effect?

The phenomenon where subjects of an experimental study change or improve their behaviour simply because they are being evaluated or studied.

What does the Systems approach to management involve?

It brings together classical and human relations theories, considering the total work organisation and the relationship between organizational structure and human behaviour.

What is the main premise of the Contingency Approach, and what variables does it evaluate?

It asserts that there is no single best organizational structure. It takes into account the purpose of the business, culture, size, technology, and environment.

According to Maslow's Theory of Human Motivation, how do unsatisfied and satisfied needs affect human behaviour?

Unsatisfied needs motivate behaviour. Once a need is satisfied, it becomes less important as a motivator, allowing a different, less-prepotent need to become more prominent.

What are the five levels of needs in Maslow's hierarchy and what does each level involve?

1. Physiological: food, water, sleep, and bodily requirements; 2. Safety: security, stability, predictability, protection; 3. Love + belonging: affection, relationships, friendships, belonging to a group; 4. Esteem: self-respect, achievement, confidence, respect from others; 5. Self-actualisation: becoming what you are capable of becoming.

Did Maslow view his Hierarchy of Needs as a rigid staircase?

No, Maslow stated there are exceptions to the hierarchy and that people are generally partially satisfied and partially unsatisfied across several needs simultaneously.