Persons and situations

jointly influence behavior.

 What is Attitude?

► The feelings and beliefs that

largely determine how workers
will see their environment,
commit themselves to intense
actions, and behave
accordingly
Attitudes are integral part of the world of work.
Often, poor performance attributed to bad attitudes
stems from lack of motivation, minimal feedback
and lack of trust in management.
Managers need to understand how attitudes are
formed, attitudes that affect work behavior and
how to use persuasion to change attitudes.
 ATTITUDE FORMATION
Attitudes are learned.
2 Major influences on attitudes:
1. Direct Experience
Attitudes from experience with an object or
person.
2. Social Learning
Attitudes learned through modelling
from the family, peer groups, religious
organizations and culture.
 Work Attitudes
Important work attitudes:
► Job Satisfaction
A pleasurable or positive emotional state resulting
from the appraisal of one’s job or job experiences. It
describes how content an individual is with his or
her job.

Satisfied employees tend to be more

productive, creative and committed to their
work and employers.
 Reasons for Lack of Job Satisfaction

► Conflict between co-workers

► Conflict with your supervisor
► Not being appropriately paid for
what you do

►Not having the necessary equipment or resources

►Lack of opportunities for promotion
►Having little or no say in decisions that affect you
►the work may be boring, or ill-suited to your
interests, education and skills.
 Work Attitudes
Important work attitudes:
► Organizational Commitment

The strength of an individual’s identification with an

organization
3 Kinds of Organizational Commitment:
1. Affective Commitment
Employee’s intention to remain in an organization
because of belief in the goals and values of the
organization, willingness to put effort for the
organization and to remain a
member of the organization
3 Kinds of Organizational Commitment:

2. Continuance Commitment
Employee’s remain in an organization because they
believe that if they leave they will lose their
investment of time, effort and benefits and they
cannot replace these investments.
3. Normative Commitment
Perceived obligation to remain in the organization
 Persuasion and Attitude Change

The source : Manager/ Supervisor

Characteristics: Expertise, trustworthiness and
attractiveness (communicator)

The target: Employee

Characteristics: Individuals with low self-esteem, extreme
attitudes, good mood

Message
Characteristics: Present both sides
 Values
► General and enduring beliefs about right and wrong.

Instrumental values _ reflect the means to

achieving goals, they represent acceptable
behaviors.
Ex. Love, Honesty, Responsibility, Ambition, Obedience

Terminal Values _ represent the goals to be

achieved
Ex. World Peace, Happiness, Family Security,
Self-respect, Freedom
Work Values
Importance: It affects how individuals behave on their
jobs in terms of what is right and wrong

Achievement _ concern for the advancement of one’s

career. Behavior as working hard and
looking for opportunities to develop new
skills.
Concern for others _ Caring, encouraging other
employees and compassionate
behaviors
Work Values
Honesty _ providing accurate information and refusing
to mislead others for personal gain.
Fairness _ emphasizes impartiality and recognizes
different points of view