Organizational BehaviorMBA-542

Instructor: Erlan Bakiev, Ph.D.

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Chapter 1 Introduction to Organizational Behavior

Essentials of Organizational Behavior, 11/e

Stephen P. Robbins & Timothy A. Judge

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After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

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1. Define organizational behavior (OB).2. Explain the value to OB of systematic study.3. Identify the major behavioral science disciplines that

contribute to OB.4. Demonstrate why few absolutes apply to OB.5. Identify the challenges and opportunities managers

have in applying OB concepts.6. Identify the three levels of analysis in OB.

The Field of Organizational Behavior

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Organizational Behavior studies the influence that individuals, groups and structure have on behavior within organizations.

Its chief goal is to apply that knowledge toward improving an organization’s effectiveness.

Focal Points of OB1-5

JobsWorkAbsenteeismEmployment turnoverProductivityHuman performanceManagement

Complementing Intuition with Systematic Study

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Intuition: your “gut feeling” explanation of behavior.Systematic study improves ability to accurately

predict behavior. Assumes behavior is not random. Fundamental consistencies underlie behavior. These can be identified and modified to reflect

individual differences.

Systematic Study1-7

Examines relationships.Attempts to attribute causes and effects.Bases conclusions on scientific evidence:

On data gathered under controlled conditions.Data is measured and interpreted in a reasonably rigorous manner.

Evidence-Based Management1-8

Complements systematic study.Bases decisions on the best available scientific evidence.Forces managers to become more scientific in their thinking.

Contributing Disciplines to the OB Field

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Psychology

Social Psychology

Sociology

Anthropology

Micro:The

Individual

Macro:Groups &

Organizations

Few Absolutes in OB1-10

Impossible to make simple and accurate generalizations

Human beings are complex and diverse

OB concepts must reflect situational conditions: contingency variables

Contingency Variable (Z)

Independent Variable (X)

Dependent Variable (Y)

In American Culture

Boss Gives “Thumbs Up” Sign

Understood as Complimenting

In Iranian or Australian Cultures

Boss Gives “Thumbs Up” Sign

Understood as Insulting - “Up

Yours!”

Challenges and Opportunities for OB 1-11

Responding to Economic PressuresResponding to GlobalizationManaging Workplace DiversityImproving Customer ServiceImproving People SkillsStimulating Innovation and ChangeCoping with “Temporariness”Working in Networked OrganizationsHelping Employees with Work-Life ConflictsImproving Ethical Behavior

Responding to Economic Pressures1-12

Effective management is especially important during tough economic times. Employees look to their managers to provide security during the instability of a recession.

Responding to Globalization1-13

Increased foreign assignmentsDiffering needs and aspirations in workforceWorking with people from different culturesDomestic motivational techniques and managerial styles may not workOverseeing movement of jobs to countries with low-cost labor

Managing Workforce Diversity1-14

Workforce diversity:

organizations are becoming a more

heterogeneous mix of people in terms of gender, age, race,

ethnicity, and sexual orientation

Diversity Implications1-15

“Managers have to shift their philosophy from treating everyone alike to recognizing differences and responding to those differences in ways that ensure employee retention and greater productivity while, at the same time, not discriminating.”

Improving Customer Service & People Skills1-16

The majority of employees in developed nations work in service jobs and they must know how to please their customers.

People skills are essential to succeed in today’s organizations.

Stimulating Innovation and Change

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FlexibilityQuality ImprovementStaying Competitive

Temporariness1-18

Jobs are constantly changing Skills need to be updated for

workers to stay on target Workers need to be able to

deal with change Employees need to be able to

cope with flexibility, spontaneity and unpredictability

Working in Networked Organizations1-19

Managers must adapt their skills and communication styles to succeed in an online environment

Helping Employees handle work-life conflict1-20

The line between work and non work has blurred and managers are increasingly dealing with conflicts that arise between work and life away from work.

Thinking Positive1-21

Creating a positive work environment can be a competitive advantagePositive Organizational Scholarship (Positive OB):

Examines how organizations develop human strengths, foster vitality and resilience, and unlock potential.Focus is on employee strengths, not their weaknesses.

Three Levels of OB Analysis1-22

Chapters 2 - 7

Chapters 8 - 13

Chapters 14 - 16

Plan of the Book

Implications for Managers1-23

OB helps with:Insights to improve people skillsValuing of workforce diversityEmpowering people and creating a positive work environmentDealing with change in the workplaceCoping in a world of temporarinessCreating an ethically healthy work environment

Keep in Mind…1-24

OB’s goal is to understand and predict human behavior in organizations.Fundamental consistencies underlie behavior.It is more important than ever to learn OB concepts.Both managers and employees must learn to cope with temporariness.

Summary1-25

1. Defined Organizational Behavior (OB).2. Show the value to OB of systematic study.3. Identified the major behavioral science disciplines

that contribute to OB.4. Demonstrated how few absolutes apply in OB.5. Identified the major challenges and opportunities

managers have in applying OB concepts.6. Identified the three levels of analysis in OB.