Chapter 1

What is organizational behavior

describes an interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding and managing people at work.

What is contingency approach

calls for using the OB concepts and tools that best suit the situation, instead of trying to rely on "one best way."

What are the three major weaknesses that can occur with common sense

1. Over reliance on hindsight

2. Lack of rigor

3. Lack of objectivity

What are hard skills

are the technical expertise and knowledge required to do a particular task or job function,

What are soft skills

• relate to human interactions and include both interpersonal skills and personal attributes.

What are the four most desired skills

1. Problem solving

2. Critical thinking

3. Creativity

4. People Management

What are personal attribute

• attitude

• Leadership

• Teamwork

• Leadership

What are interpersonal skills

• active listening

• Positive attitudes

• Effective communication

What is ethics

guides our behavior by identifying right, wrong, and the many shades of gray in between.

What is an ethical dilemma

are situations with two choices, neither of which resolves the situation in an ethically acceptable manner.

What are the causes for unethical behavior

• motivated blindness

• Indirect blindness

• The slippery slope

• Overvaluing outcomes

What is motivated blindness

We overlook the unethical behavior of another when it's in our interest to remain ignorant.

What is indirect blindness

We hold others less accountable for unethical behaviors when it’s carried out through third parties

What is the slippery slope

We are less able to see others’ ethical behaviors when it develops gradually

What is overvaluing outcomes

We give it a pass to unethical behaviors if the outcome is good

What is ill- conceived goals

We set goals and incentives to promote a desired behavior, but they encourage a negative one

What is an example of ill conceived goal

The pressure to maximize billable hours in accounting, consulting, and law firms leads to unconscious padding.

What is an example of motivated blindness

Baseball officials failed to notice they'd created conditions that encouraged steroid use.

What is an example of indirect blindness

A drug company deflects attention from a price increase by selling rights to another company, which imposes the increases.

What is an example of a slippery slope

Auditors may be more likely to accept a client firm's questionable financial statements if infractions have accrued over time

What is an example of overvaluing outcomes

A researcher whose fraudulent clinical trial saves lives is considered more ethical than one whose fraudulent trial leads to deaths.

What is a problem

is a difference or gap between an actual and a desired state or outcome,

What do problem solving

is a systematic process for closing such gaps.

What is the 3 step approach

1. Define the problem

2. Identify potential causes using OB concepts and theories.

3. Make recommendations

What is person factors

are the infinite characteristics that give individuals their unique identities.

What is situation factors

are all the elements outside us that influence what we do, the way we do it, and the ultimate results of our actions.

What is interactional perspective

states that behavior is a function of Interdependent person and situation factors.