Organizational Behaviour

Organizational behavior involves studying individual as well as group performance within an organization. In this area of study, human behavior at the work place is closely studied to see its impact on job structure, performance, communication, motivation, leadership, etc.

Historical Evolution of Organisational Behaviour

Historical Development of Organisational Behaviour, Events Instrumental in the Development of Organisational Behaviour – The Great Depression, The Rise of Trade Unionism, Hawthorne Experiments, Impact of Organisational Behaviour on Organisational Environment, Emerging Concerns in Organisational Behaviour

Understanding Organisational Behaviour

Fundamental Concepts of Organisational Behaviour, Models of Organisational Behaviour

Perception

Significance of Perception, Principles of Perceptual Selection – External Attention Factors, Internal Set Factors, Perceptual Set in Organisational Settings, Characteristics or Perceiver and Perceived

Personality

Definition of Personality, Determinants of Personality, Personality Theories – Intrapsychic Theory, Type Theories, Trait Theories, Social Learning Theory, Self Theory, Personality and Organisation, Personality Structure, Personality and Behaviour

Attitudes

Nature of Attitude, Arousal of Attitude, Attitudes and Values, Attitudes and Opinions, Attitudes, Beliefs and Ideology, Attitudes and Prejudices, Characteristics of Attitude, Attitude Formation, Measurement of Attitude – Problems in Attitude Measurement, Changing Attitudes, Attitudes and Behaviour – Sources of Job Satisfaction, Job Satisfaction and Employee Performance, Commitment to Organisation

Motivation: The Driving Forces of Human Behaviour

Characteristics and Classification of Motives, Intrapersonal Conflicts – Defence Mechanism, Money as a Motivator

Work Motivation Theories

Abraham Maslow’s Theory of Need Hierarchy – Criticism of Maslow’s Theory, Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory of Motivation – Criticism of Herzberg’s Theory, Alderfer’s ERG Theory, Vroom’s Expectancy Theory of Motivation, The Porter-Lawler Model, Equity Theory of Work Motivation, Attribution Theory, Theory X and Theory Y, Pygmalion in Management

Morale

Indicators of Morale, Various Aspects of Morale, Improving Employee Morale

Work and Conditions of Work

Relationship among Job Characteristics, Working Performance, Characteristics of Work, Creating a Favourable Work Environment

Conflict Management

Levels of Conflict in Organisational Behaviour, Types of Conflict, Interpersonal Conflict Handling Styles, Intrapersonal Conflict and ways to Manage Intrapersonal Conflict, Negotiations in Conflict Management, Mediation

Group Dynamics

Classification of Groups, Teams and types of teams, Developmental Stages of Groups, Influences on Team Effectiveness, Team Diversity, Groupthink and Remedies to Overcome Groupthink, Group Maturity, Groups: A Sociological View, Effective Team Working

Stress Management

Types of Stress and Stressors, Management of Stress, Ways to Overcome Stress

Leadership

Classic Studies on Leadership, Leadership Skills, Leadership Styles – Managerial Grid, Rensis Liken’s Four Systems Management, Leadership Behaviour Continum, Theories of Leadership.

Management of Organisational Change

Forces for Change, Organisational Resistance to Change, Planning to overcome Change.

Organisational Culture

Development and Levels of Organisational Culture, Types of Corporate Culture – Performance and Organisational Culture, Benefits of a Strong Organisational Culture, Managing Cultural Diversity, How Employees Absorb an Organisational Culture, Matching People with Cultures, Concept of Organisational Socialisation.

Organisational Power and Politics

Dependency Theory of Power, Dependency, Power and Bargaining Outcomes, Bases and Sources of Power, Effective use of Power, Political Behaviour and Organisational Politics, Personality and Political Behaviour.

Academic Questions

Question: Analyzing Organizational Behaviour dimensions
1. As a group, pick a movie/series you would like to study
2. Utilize your knowledge on the various Organizational Behaviour dimensions (OCEAN/EQ/teams etc.) to study for that particular movie (reference material + reference book given).
3. Each student will pick 3 Organizational Behaviour dimensions (refer to Course outline).
4. The student will then map the findings to the theory learnt and put it together as a video to be showcased in class. The video will be accompanied with a 2 page report explaining the concept correlation.

Question: In your current occupation, describe the top 5 abilities that help you perform your role effectively. Based on your analysis, justify with appropriate examples, why the abilities of an employee should match the job requirement.

Question: Is perception management applicable in current times when we are working from home virtually and not interacting personally with our coworkers and managers? Rationalize your opinion with steps and measures that help you manage the process.

Question: Nikita is a Change Manager with Nelson & Murdock. In the view of the way the business landscape is evolving with more reliance on technology, she intends to bring about many new initiatives which require employees to unlearn certain aspects and learn many new approaches. Many learning theories have been prevalent which organizations use from time to time.

• a. If employees need to learn certain model behaviors demonstrated by leaders, which learning theory should Nikita select for faster results?
• b. How does learning through reinforcement bring about behavior modification in employees?

Q. Think about the best job you have ever had. What was it that made it a great job? Can you, as a manager or leader, replicate the environment that made that job so good? How? And more importantly, why would you replicate it? How can the study of organizational behavior help you replicate it and maybe even improve it? This week, compose a 3 to 4 page paper, in APA format, answering these questions and supporting your answers with scholarly evidence from your text and other sources. Compose your paper to include a title page, introduction, headings, conclusion and references in APA format. Please review the rubric for grading criteria.

Q. Explain how GLOBE study has helped managers across the world understand the complex relationship between culture and organizational success.

Q. What problems do you usually encounter in teamwork at your organization? What is your approach to overcome them?

Q. Essex Enterprises is a renowned logistics company which has spread its operations in 7 countries across the globe. They are recognized as the best learning organization due to their policies and processes and systems. One of the reasons for their success is that they have successfully applied the Reinforcement Theory of Learning since their inception.
a. Why is Reinforcement Theory also called as Behaviour Modification Theory?
b. How can reinforcement be administered effectively?

Q. Briefly distinguish between positive and negative reinforcement and provide a job-related example of each.

Q. How can schedules of reinforcement be used in the work situation?

Q. Describe the Performance Management Process

Q. Describe the difference between Theory X and Theory Y employees.

Q. What are 3 Causes of Motivational Problems? Give examples of each.

Q. What are some of the characteristics of high achievers?

Q. Do you believe in 360 Degree Feedback? Explain your answer

Q. Explain classical conditioning

Q. Explain four aspects of group behavior. How can each aspect help or hinder the group’s functioning?

Q. Why are work teams important to organizations today? How and why are work teams formed?

Q. Describe American business culture using Hofstede’s dimensions of cultural differences.

Q. Mention the benefits and problems of diversity.

Q. Briefly discuss the issues an organization would want to understand if it were interested in a business venture within China.

Q. Define organizational behavior and name the organizational variables that affect human behavior at work.

Q. Distinguish between informal and formal organizations. Which of these affects organizational behavior?

Q. Identify the major reasons why managing organizational behavior is challenging during changing times.

Q. There is often a disconnect between personal values and individual behavior. What does this mean?

Q. The changing workforce is one of the emerging trends in organizational behavior. Describe how the workforce is changing and briefly identify two consequences of these changes for organizations.

Q. Telecommuting (working from home) has been identified as an important trend in organizational behavior. Discuss three organizational behavior pros and cons related to telecommuting.

Q. Explain the four types of results (two positive/ two negative) as a result of organizational behavior modifications.

Sample Assignment:

You have applied for a managerial position as a Business Development Manager in a large retail organisation. Following shortlisting you have been asked to attend for interview. Prior to the interview you need to send in a written portfolio which will help the interview panel to establish your suitability for the post.

Task 1 – Written Portfolio

You must prepare a portfolio of evidence which includes:

• an analysis of the characteristics of different organisational structures
• an explanation of how the culture of an organisation can impact on the effectiveness of the organisation
• an assessment of the impact of learning on the effectiveness of employees
• an evaluation of how working in teams can improve employee effectiveness.
• how different leadership behaviours impact on organisations.
• the process and outcomes of change on the effectiveness of employees.

Task 2

You know that questions from the panel will ask for your views on certain management theories. In preparation make detailed notes which:

• evaluate different leadership behaviour theories
• analyse theories relating to work relationships and interactions.
• evaluate the relevance of organisational culture theory in developing organisational effectiveness.

Task 3 – Presentation with accompanying notes

You are to make a presentation to the interview panel as part of the selection process. You should prepare a presentation with accompanying notes which shows how organisations can motivate employees in order to improve their efficiency and effectiveness.

In the presentation and the accompanying notes, you must:

• analyse the benefits and issues with involving employees in organisational decision making
• explain different ways to motivate employees.
• analyse how motivational theory can inform employee motivation.
• evaluate how a named organisation of your choice motivates its employees.

Provide a detailed analysis of the characteristics of different organisational structures. Identify the different structures, examining different aspects in detail and using examples to illustrate their work. The explanation of culture must be comprehensive and clearly related to its impact on the effectiveness of organisations.
Demonstrate understanding of a range of pertinent leadership theories and the evaluation should identify the strengths and weaknesses of the different concepts.
When considering how team working can improve employee effectiveness, learners should review the benefits and problems of working in teams and the differing group dynamics.