Organizational Behavior: Comprehensive Study Notes (copy)

Organizational Behavior (OB)

A field of study focused on understanding, explaining, and improving the attitudes and behaviors of individuals and groups in organizations.

Why study OB?

To enhance self-awareness, improve interactions and influence others, prepare for management roles, facilitate creative thinking, and increase organizational effectiveness.

Three basic psychological needs

Esteem needs, belongingness/affiliation needs, and the need for control.

Esteem needs

The need to feel good about ourselves, linked to self-concept, identity, self-esteem, and attributions.

Belongingness/Affiliation needs

The desire to belong, which relates to social identity, social networks, teams, and groups.

Need for control

The psychological need to reduce uncertainty and feel in control of events.

BAR: Individual behavior and results

A model where behavior and results arise from the interaction of personality, values, self-concept, motivation, situational factors, perceptions, emotions and attitudes, stress, ability, and role perceptions.

Scientific Method in OB

Involves hypothesis formulation, data collection, verification, and testing using statistical tools.

Independent Variable

A variable that is manipulated or changed to observe its effect on another variable.

Dependent Variable

A variable that is measured to see how it is affected by changes in the independent variable.

Correlation vs Causation

Correlation does not imply causation; beware of spurious correlations.

Criteria for causation

Correlation, temporal precedence, and elimination of alternative explanations are necessary to prove causation.

Meta-analysis

A technique that averages correlations from multiple studies and forms the basis for evidence-based management.

Expectancy Theory

A theory proposing that behavior is influenced by expected outcomes based on effort, performance, and anticipated satisfaction.

Perceived Organizational Support (POS)

The perception that the organization values employee contributions and cares about their well-being.

Human Capital as a Competitive Advantage

Knowledge, skills, abilities, and other valued resources that are essential for organizational success.

Goals in OB practice

To diagnose problems in organizations, increase self-awareness, understand others' needs, and provide practical guidance.