What Is Organizational Behavior?

Organizational Behavior
* . . . a field of study that investigates how individuals, groups and structure affect and
are affected by behaviour within organizations, for the purpose of applying such
knowledge toward improving an organization’s effectiveness.
Organizational Behaviour
Udai Pareek
OB can be defined as an interdisciplinary behavioral science studying phenomena related
to and dynamics (processes) of organizations and their various human units (individuals,
roles, dyads, teams, inter-teams, organizations and the organization-environment
interface)
LAWLER’S PROPOSITION ON OLD & NEW LOGIC
OLD LOGIC
*ORGANIZATION IS SECONDARY SOURCE OF ADVANTAGE
*BUREAUCRACY IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE SOURCE OF CONTROL
*TOP MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL EXERTS SHOULD ADD MOST THE
VALUE
*HIERARCHICAL PROCESSES ARE KEY TO ORGANIZATIONAL
EFFECTIVENESS
*ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD BE DESIGNED AROUND FUNCTIONS
*EFFECTIVE MANAGERS ARE THE KEY TO ORGANIZATIONAL
EFFECTIVENESS
IMPORTANCE OF PROCESS IN OB
PROCESS CAN BE DEFINED AS HUMAN AND
BEHAVIORAL DIMENSIONS OF AN ORGANIZATION
AND THE VARIOUS GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS
CONSTITUTING IT

*PROCESS Vs STRUCTIRE
*PROCESS Vs CONTENT

*THE PERSON: EXISTENTIAL PROCESS- the process of self awareness relates to

an awareness of the various aspects of one’s life which are primarily concerned
with self actualization. To what extent the person is aware of what is happening
to him, of social reality, his relations with others
*INTERPERSONAL: EMPATHIC PROCESS RELATIONSHIP BUILDING-how
people communicate with one another has implications for relationship-building
between individuals. The process of one individual reaching out to another and
establishing a relationship with him.
*THE ROLE: COPING PROCESSES The individual has a role to play in the
organization, and this role enables each person to build up links with other persons
in the organization. The pressure and stress which the individual has to cope with in
the relationships of his role with roles of other individuals.
*THE ORGANIZATION: GROWTH PROCESS
A dynamic organization is constantly evolving and growing in terms of its
mission, areas of activity, size, etc. It also deals effectively with change. A
dynamic organization has to make the choice between resting on its laurels and
self- renewal.
*THE ORGANIZATION-ENVIRONMENT INTERFACE: INFLUENCE
PROCESS
An organization interfaces with the societal environment like political,
economic and cultural etc. This is an issue of pro-activity versus reactivity. The
process of influence is also concerned with the autonomy of the organization:
to what extent it is able to insulate itself against undue influence from outside,
while keeping itself open to healthy influences.

*THE COMMUNITY: PROCESS OF SOCIAL AWARENESS

The main process operates at community level is social awareness.
Conscientization is the process of increasing awareness about social realities
and increasing a positive self-concept in relation to such realities.
*THE SOCIETY:VALUE PROCESS
The society is the main context within which all organizations work. The most
relevant processes at the level of the society are related to values and power.
Value should be understood not only in the sense of what is considered
important by a society, but also is terms of what is considered as model human
being. Are human beings regarded and treated as passive recipients or as active
agents.

THE CHANGING CONTEXT

*CHANGING PROFILE OF EMPLOYEES
*GLOBLIZATION
*Flattening of Globe
*INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
*DIVERSITY-Different Parameters
*PRIVACY
*Social Responsibility and Business Ethics
*INNOVATION AND CHANGE
*QUALITY
*CONTINGENT WORKERS
*OUTSOURCING

Introduction
 Independent Variables
Challenges and Opportunities for OB: A Managerial Perspective
How Will Knowing OB Make a Difference?
*For Managers
*Knowing organizational behaviour can help you manage well and makes for
better corporations.
*Managing people well leads to greater organizational commitment.
*Finally, managing well may improve organizational citizenship.
How Will Knowing OB Make a Difference?
*For Individuals
*What if I’m not going to work in a large organization?
*The theories generally apply to organizations of any size.
*What if I don’t want to be a manager?
*To some extent, the roles of managers and employees are becoming
blurred in many organizations.
*While self-employed individuals often do not act as managers, they
certainly interact with other individuals and organizations as part of
their work.
The Rigour of OB
*OB looks at consistencies
*What is common about behaviour, and helps predictability?
*OB is more than common sense
*Systematic study, based on scientific evidence
*OB has few absolutes
*OB takes a contingency approach
*Considers behaviour in context
Bottom Line: OB Is For Everyone
*Organizational behaviour is not just for managers.
*The roles of managers and employees are becoming blurred in many
organizations.
*Managers are increasingly asking employees to share in their decision-making
processes rather than simply follow orders.
*OB applies equally well to all situations in which you interact with others: on the
basketball court, at the grocery store, in school, or in church.
Summary and Implications
*OB is a field of study that investigates the impact that individuals, groups, and structure
have on behaviour within an organization.
*OB focuses on improving productivity, reducing absenteeism and turnover, and
increasing employee job satisfaction and organizational commitment.
*OB uses systematic study to improve predictions of behaviour.
Assess yourself exercise