Organizational Behavior

DR. CHANDAN KUMAR SAHOOM.Phil., Ph.D.

Organizational Behavior

The study of individual behavior and group dynamics in organizations

Elements of OB

Task – an organization’s mission, purpose, or goal for existing

People – the human resources of the organizationStructure – the manner in which an organization’s work

is designed at the micro level; how departments, divisions, and the

overall organization are designed at the macro level

Environment – Both Internal and External

Technology – the tools, knowledge, and/or techniques used to transform inputs into outputs

Psychosocial

BehavioralInterpersonal

Organizational Behavior: Dynamics in Organizations

OrganizationalBehavior

Open Systems View of Organization

Outputs: Products Services

Inputs:MaterialCapitalHuman

Task environment:CompetitorsUnionsRegulatory agenciesClients

Organizational Boundary

People(Actors)People(Actors)

Structure

Task Technology

OrganizationalDesign

JobsWorkDesign

PerformanceAppraisal

OrganizationalStructure

Organizational Variables that Affect Human Behavior

Communication

HumanBehavior

Psychology the science

of human behavior

Management the study of overseeing

activities and supervising people in organizations

Anthropologythe science of

the learned behavior of

human beings

Medicine the applied science

of healing or treatment of diseases

to enhance an individual’s health and

well-being

Engineering the applied

science of energy &

matter

Sociology the science

of society

Interdisciplinary Influences on Organizational

Behavior

Formal & Informal Elements of Organizations

Formal organization (overt)

Goals and objectivesPolicies and procedures

Job descriptionsFinancial resourcesAuthority structure

Communication channelsProducts and services

Formal organization (overt)

Goals and objectivesPolicies and procedures

Job descriptionsFinancial resourcesAuthority structure

Communication channelsProducts and services

Informal organization (covert)

Beliefs and assumptions Perceptions and attitudes

ValuesFeelings, such as fear, joy

anger, trust, and hopeGroup norms

Informal leaders

Informal organization (covert)

Beliefs and assumptions Perceptions and attitudes

ValuesFeelings, such as fear, joy

anger, trust, and hopeGroup norms

Informal leaders

Formal vs. Informal Organization

Formal Organization – the official, legitimate, and most visible part of the system

Informal Organization – the unofficial and less visible part of the system

Learning about Organizational Behavior

Learning Activity

Development of specific skills and abilities

Development of specific skills and abilities

Mastery ofbasic objective

knowledge

Application of knowledge

and skills

Application of knowledge

and skills

ScienceScience

The Real WorldThe Real World

YouYou

Theories, Research, Articles

Organizational and Work Context

Exercises, Questionnaires

• OB is directly concerned with the understanding, prediction and control of human behaviour in organizations (Luthans).

• OB – The study and application of knowledge how people act or behave within organization. It is a human tool for human benefit. (Davis & Newstrom)

• OB is a field of study that investigates the impact that individuals, groups, and structure have on behaviour within organizations for the purpose of applying such knowledge towards improving on organization’s effectiveness. (Robbins)

OB

GroupsIndividuals

Structure

Nature of OB

• A separate field of study and not a discipline only

• An interdisciplinary approach (Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology)

• An applied science• A normative science• A humanistic & optimistic approach• A total system approach

Scope of OB

OB

Individuals

- Personality- Perception- Attitudes- Motivation- Job Satisfaction- Learning- Values

Groups

- Group Dynamics- Group Conflicts- Communication- Leadership- Power & Politics

Structure

- Org. Str.- Culture- Change- Development

Foundations of OB

OB is based on few fundamental concepts which revolve around the nature of people and organization

1. Individual Differences

2. A whole person

3. Caused behaviour

4. Human dignity

5. Organizations are social system

6. Mutuality of interest

7. Need for management

Importance of OB

1. OB provides a road map to our lives in organizations.

2. OB uses scientific research to help us understand and predict organization life.

3. OB helps us to influence organizational events.

4. OB helps an individual to understand himself/herself and others better.

5. OB will help the manager to understand the basics of motivation.

6. OB useful for maintaining cordial industrial relations.

Basic Process of OB

Problem Prevention

UNDERSTANDING

- How strong are they?

- How do they interrelate?

PREDICTION

- What pattern of behaviour are present?

- What is the cause-effect relationship?

CONTROLLING

- What solutions are possible?

- Which variables can be influenced?

- How can they be influenced?

Approaches to the study of OB

OBSystems

Approach InteractionalismApproach

ContingencyApproach

ProductivityApproach

HRApproach

Models of OB

Autocratic Custodial Supportive Collegial

Basis of model

Power Economic sources

Leadership Partnership

Managerial orientation

Authority Money Support Teamwork

Employee orientation

Obedience Security and benefits

Job performance

Responsible behaviour

Employee psychological result

Dependence on boss

Dependence on organization

Participation Self-discipline

Employee needs met

Subsistence Security Status & recognition

Self-actualization

Performance result

Minimum Passive cooperation

Awakened drives

Moderate enthusiasm

Foundations of Individual Behaviour

Stages in Organizational Life

Models of Individual Behaviour

• Theory X & Theory Y Model

• Economic & Self-Actualizing Model

• Behaviouristic & Humanistic Model- individuals can be describes solely in

terms of behaviour (behaviouristic)- individuals are more philosophical than scientific (humanistic)

• Rational and Emotional Model

Concluding remarks

• Personal factors such as age, sex, education, abilities, marital status, and dependents will have significant influence on the behaviour of an individual.

• Environmental factors include economic status, social and cultural norms, and political factors. These also wield considerable influence on individual behaviour.

• Organizational systems and resources include such variables as physical facilities, organization structure and design, leadership rewards and work itself. The influence of all these on the behaviour of an individual is no less significant.

• More important are psychological factors like personality, perception, learning, and attitudes. Because of their significance in determining one’s behaviour, each of these factors is considered separately in the following chapters.

• The famous Theory X and Theory Y, along with other models, seek to explain the behaviour of an individual.