Organizational Behavior Notes

Organizational Behavior

Introduction to Organizational Behavior

• Organizational Behavior (OB) studies the influence of individuals, groups, and structure on behavior within organizations.

Chief Goal of OB

• The primary aim of OB is to apply knowledge to improve an organization's effectiveness and drive success.

Three Levels of OB Analysis

• Individual Level: Focuses on individual behavior and characteristics.
• Group Level: Examines group dynamics and interactions.
• Organization System Level: Analyzes the organization as a whole.

Contributing Disciplines

• Psychology: Studies and explains individual behavior, covering areas like:
  • Learning
  • Motivation
  • Personality
  • Emotions
  • Perception
  • Training
  • Leadership effectiveness
  • Job satisfaction
  • Individual decision making
  • Performance appraisal
  • Attitude measurement
  • Employee selection
  • Work design
  • Work stress
• Social Psychology: Investigates the influence of people on one another, blending psychology and sociology concepts.
• Sociology: Studies people in relation to their fellow human beings, focusing on:
  • Group dynamics
  • Work teams
  • Communication
  • Power
  • Conflict
  • Intergroup behavior
  • Formal organization theory
  • Organizational technology
  • Organization change
  • Organizational culture
• Political Science: Examines the behavior of individuals and groups within a political environment.
• Anthropology: Studies societies to learn about human beings and their activities, including:
  • Comparative values
  • Comparative attitudes
  • Cross-cultural analysis
  • Organizational culture
  • Organizational environment
• Economics: Examines firms, prices, wages, and how these motivate individual behavior.

Why We Care

• High Social Capabilities correlate with higher job performance and salaries. Lower social capabilities associate with lower job performance and salaries. Social capabilities are distinct from intelligence.

Different skills required at different levels:

• First-line managers/supervisors:
  • Technical Skills
  • Interpersonal Skills
• Middle managers:
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Organizational Skills
• Executives:
  • Organizational Skills

Challenges and Opportunities for OB

• Workforce diversity: managing a large range of cultures, races, and ethnic groups.
• Increased uncertainty in the world requiring greater adaptability.
• An aging workforce.
• More women in the workplace.
• Global competition demanding more flexible employees.
• Declining historical loyalty-bonds between employees and employers.

Sources

• Stephen P. Robbins, Essentials of Organizational Behavior. 9th Edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall (Chapter 1)
• CanStockPhoto.com