Organizational
Behaviors
Unit-1
Introduction
Organization: Organizations
are defined as collectivities….that have been established for the pursuit of
relatively specific objectives on more or less continuous basis.
A social unit of people systematically structured and managed
to meet a need or to pursue collective goals on a continuing basis.
Function of
management
Manager is that individual who achieves goals through other
people. The basic functions are as follows:
1) Planning: A
process that includes defining goals, establishing strategy and developing
plans to coordinate activities.
2) Organizing:
Determining what tasks are to be done, who is to do them, how the tasks are to
be grouped, who reports to whom, and where the decisions are to be made.
3) Leading: A
function that includes motivating employees, directing others, selecting the
most effective communication channels and resolving conflicts.
4) Controlling:
Monitoring activities to ensure they are being accomplished as planned and
correcting any significant deviations.
Role of
Managers
1) Interpersonal
Roles
i.
Figurehead: Symbolic head; required to perform a
number of routine duties of a legal or social nature.
ii.
Leader: Responsible for motivation & direction of
employees.
iii.
Laison: Maintains a network of outside contacts who
provide favors and information.
2) Informational
Roles
i.
Monitor: Receives wide variety of information; serve
as nerve centre of internal & external information of the organization.
ii.
Disseminator: Transits information received for outsiders
to members of the organization.
iii.
Spokesperson: Transmits information to outsiders on
organization’s plans, policies, actions and results, serve as expert on
organization’s industry.
3) Decisional
Roles
i.
Entrepreneur: Searches organization and its environment
for opportunities and initiatives projects to bring about change.
ii.
Disturbance Handler: Responsible for corrective action
when organization faces important, unexpected disturbances.
iii.
Resource allocator: Makes or approves significant
organizational decisions.
iv.
Negotiator: Responsible for representing the
organization at major negotiations.
Skills of
Managers
1) Technical
Skills: Specialized knowledge
(machines, equipment, processes)
2) Human
skills: Communication,
motivation, understands others, delegations.
3) Conceptual
Skills: Analyze and diagnose complex situation.
Organizational Behavior
Organizational Behavior is the study of individuals and their
behavior within the context of the organization in a workplace setting. It is
an interdisciplinary field that includes sociology, psychology, communication
and management.
Organizational Behavior (OB) is the study and application of
knowledge about how people, individuals, and groups act in organizations. It
interprets people-organization relationships in terms of the whole person,
whole group, whole organization, and whole social system. Its purpose is to
build better relationships by achieving human objectives, organizational
objectives, and social objectives.
Organizational behavior is a field of study that investigates
the impact that individuals, groups and structures have on behavior within an
organization, for the purpose of applying such knowledge towards improving an
organization’s effectiveness.
Organizational Behavior is concerned with the study of behavior
and attitudes of man in an organizational settings; the organization’s effect
on his perceptions, feeling and actions; and particularly on his behavior for
the achievement of the organization’s purposes.
OB seeks to emphasize the understanding of behavior in organizations
so as to develop competencies in foreseeing how people are likely to behave.
This knowledge may then help in controlling those behaviors that are not
befitting the objectives of the organizations.
Features/Nature of Organizational Behaviour
1. A separate field
of study - Organizational Behaviour is a separate field of study. Many
researches and analysis have been done in this field. But it is not still
accepted as a science. There is no foundation of basic concepts that may guide
its development as a science. Therefore, it will be appropriate to call it a
field of study rather than discipline.
2. It is
an applied science - The aim of OB it to solve problems of organizations
related with human behaviour aspect. Therefore, applied researches are
concentrated, in place of fundamental researches. Though many of the researches
may be carried in laboratory, but the behaviour of an individual can not be
analysed so. Therefore, Organizational Behaviour is both science as well as
art.
3. Goal
Oriented/Oriented towards organizational objectives - Since OB
is applied science it is oriented towards organizational goals. Sometimes there
may be conflict of organizational goals with individual goals. In that case,
both the objectives are achieved simultaneously.
4.
Interdisciplinary Approach - Organizational Behaviour is
interdisciplinary in nature. It is based on behavioural and social sciences
that contributes to the subject. It applies from these disciplines ideas that
will improve the relationships between people and organization.
5. Focus
Attention On people - OB focus the attention on people. It is based on
the concept that need and motivation of the people should be given priority. if
the people are given proper environment and working condition, they are
creative, independent and capable of achieving organizational objectives.
6.
Normative Science - OB is a normative science. It just not only defines
the cause and effect relationship but also suggests how the results of various
researches can be applied to get organizational results. What acceptable by
society is not defines positive science, but it is done by normative science.
7.Levels of
Analysis
8.
Satisfaction of individual & organizational needs
9. A Total
system Approach
Levels of Analysis
OB focuses on three levels of analysis:
Individual
level
In individual level organizational behavior involves the
study of learning, perception, creativity, motivation, personality, turnover,
task performance, cooperative behavior, deviant behavior, ethics, and
cognition. At this level of analysis, organizational behavior draws heavily
upon psychology. Study of behaviour of an individual working in the
organization is also known as Micro
Organizational Behavior.
Group level
At the group level of analysis, organizational behavior
involves the study of group dynamics, intra- and inter group conflict and
cohesion, leadership, power, norms, interpersonal communication, networks, and
roles. At this level of analysis, organizational behavior draws upon the
sociological and socio-psychological sciences. Understanding of group dynamic
is essential to reduce conflicts and improve morale and productivity. This is
also known as Meso Organizational
Behavior.
Organizational
level
At the organization level of analysis, organizational
behavior involves the study of topics such as organizational culture,
organizational structure, cultural diversity, inter-organizational cooperation
and conflict, change, technology, and external environmental forces. At this
level of analysis, organizational behavior draws upon anthropology and
political science. This is also known as Macro
Organizational Behavior.
Disciplines Contributing to OB
Disciplines Contributing to OB
1)
Psychology:
Psychology is defined as the study of human behavior which
tries to identify the characteristics of individuals and provides an
understanding why an individual behaves in a particular way. Thus psychology
provides us with useful insight into areas such as human motivation, perceptual
processes or personality characteristics.
2)
Sociology:
Sociology is the study of social behavior, relationships
among social groups and societies, and the maintenance of social order. The
main focus of attention is on the social system. This helps us to appreciate the
functioning of individuals within the organization which is essentially a
socio-technical entity.
3)
Social
Psychology:
Social psychology is the study of human behavior in the
context of social situations. This essentially addresses the problem of
understanding the typical behavioral patterns to be expected from an individual
when he takes part in a group.
4)
Anthropology:
Anthropology is the science of mankind and the study of human
behavior as a whole. The main focus of attention is on the cultural system, beliefs,
customs, ideas and values within a group or society and the comparison of
behavior amongst different cultures in the context of today’s organizational
scenario. It is very important to appreciate the differences that exist among
people coming from different cultural backgrounds as people are often found to
work with others from the other side of the globe.
5)
Economics:
Any organization to survive and sustain must be aware of the
economic viability of their effort. This applies even to the non-profit and
voluntary organizations as well.
6)
Political
Science:
Although frequently overlooked, the contributions of
political scientists are significant to understand arrangement in
organizations. It studies individuals and groups within specific conditions concerning
the power dynamics. Important topics under here include structuring of
Conflict, allocation of power and how people manipulate power for individual
self-interest etc.
Need to understand Human Behaviour
Its the behaviour of an individual that depicts the
personality and attitude of that individual in any place, it may be
organization, social network or family... But talking about importance of Human
behavior in an organization, it is very important to maintain a good and
healthy behaviour in an organization as its the ones behaviour that depicts the
relation of an employee with his coworkers, subordinates, seniors or Bosses.
Behaviour of an individual shows the dedication of the employee towards his
work, organization. a good and healthy behaviour can prove fruitful in terms of
promotions, job recognition, Increments or appraisals. but at the same time bad
behaviour can be opposite.
For shaping human behavior in definite direction for
achieving certain predetermined objectives, manager must know how the people in
the organization behave.
OB provides wayfor understanding human behavior in all the
directions in which human being interact. Thus, behavior can be understood at
·
Individual
Level
·
Interpersonal
Level
·
Group
Level
·
Intergroup
Level
Models of OB
There are four major models or frameworks
that organizations operate out of:
Autocratic - The basis of this model is
power with a managerial orientation of authority. The employees in turn are
oriented towards obedience and dependence on the boss. The employee need that
is met is subsistence. The performance result is minimal. There is only one way
communication.
Custodial
-
The basis of this model is economic resources with a managerial orientation of
money. The employees in turn are oriented towards security and benefits and
dependence on the organization. The employee need that is met is security. The
performance result is passive cooperation.
Supportive - The basis of this
model is leadership with a managerial orientation of support. The employees in
turn are oriented towards job performance and participation. The employee need
that is met is status and recognition. The performance result is awakened
drives. There is a participation and involvement in decision making. In this
model, communication is two way.
Collegial - The basis of this
model is partnership with a managerial orientation of teamwork. The employees
in turn are oriented towards responsible behavior and self-discipline. The
employee need that is met is self-actualization. The performance result is
moderate enthusiasm. Employees are self
motivated.
Challenges and opportunities for OB
1.
Responding to Globalisation
a.
Increased foreign assignments: Transferred
to your employer’s operating division in another country, Oncethere, you’ll
have to manage workforce, aspiration from employees, andattitudes from those
you are used to back home
b.
Working with People from different cultures: Working
with bosses, peers and other employees who were born and raisedin different
culture, to work effectively with them you’ve to understand howtheir culture,
geographic and religion have shaped them
c.
Coping with anticapitalism backlash: “soak the
rich” means fine should be charged with respect of income you earn. Managers at
global companies have come to realize that economic values are not universally
transferable, need to modify by managers to reflect economic values in those
countries they’re working.
d.
Overseeing movement of jobs to countries with low-
cost labour: In a global economy, jobs tend to flow to places where
lower cost providebusiness firms with a comparative advantages
e.
Managing people During the war on terror: An
understanding of OB topics such as emotions, motivation, communicationand
leadership can help managers to deal more effectively with theiremployees’ fear
about terrorism
2. Managing
workforce Diversity
a. Embracing
diversity: The challenge for organization is to make themselves more
accomodating to diverse groups of people by addressing their different
lifestyle, family needs, and work styles.
b. Changing
demographics
3.
Improving quality and productivity: By using self-directed work teams,
streamlining processes and implementing continous improvement program must be a
model of manufacturing efficiency.
4.
Improving customer service: OB can contribute to improving an organization’
performance by showing that how employees’ attitude and behavior are associated
with customer satisfaction
5.
Stimulating innovation and changes:
·
Must foster innovation and master the art of change.
·
Maintain the flexibility and improve quality.
·
To stimulate
employees creativity and tolerance to change.
6. Working
in networked organisations: Computerization, the internet, and
the ability to link computers within organizations and between organizations
have created a different workforce for many employees-a networked organization.
Global
working through one link i.e. INTERNET, technology changes the people towork
together and communicate at thousand miles, people can work from their homeand
non office locations.
7. Creating
a positive work environment: Human strength, vitality, right
person appointed at right place, effort on what good for organization.
8.
Improving ethical behaviour:
·
Writing and distributing codes of ethics to gude
employees.
·
Offering seminars, workshops and training programs on
improving OB.
·
Provide in house advisors in dealing with ethical issues.
9.
Empowerment of Employees:
·
Decision making is being pushed down to the operating
level.
·
Managers give up control, employees control their work
themselves, make appropriate decisions.
·
Using of self managed team.
10. Work
Life Balance: Flexible Working hours, reporting time, creating
opportunities for employees, job security, design workplace and jobs.
