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ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR: PERCEPTIONS ANALYSIS OF MICRO AND MACRO ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR IN AN ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING Joshua T. Delich, B.A., ME.D. Dissertation Prepared for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS December 2015 APPROVED: Jane B. Huffman, Major Professor Don Powell, Minor Professor Douglas Otto, Committee Member Miriam Ezzani, Committee Member James D. Laney, Chair of the Department of Teacher Education and Administration Jerry Thomas, Dean of the College of Education Costas Tsatsoulis, Dean of the Toulouse Graduate School

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Page 1: Organizational Behavior: Perceptions Analysis of Micro and Macro

ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR: PERCEPTIONS ANALYSIS OF MICRO AND MACRO

ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR IN AN ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING

Joshua T. Delich, B.A., ME.D.

Dissertation Prepared for the Degree of

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS

December 2015

APPROVED:

Jane B. Huffman, Major Professor

Don Powell, Minor Professor

Douglas Otto, Committee Member

Miriam Ezzani, Committee Member

James D. Laney, Chair of the Department

of Teacher Education and

Administration

Jerry Thomas, Dean of the College of

Education

Costas Tsatsoulis, Dean of the Toulouse

Graduate School

Page 2: Organizational Behavior: Perceptions Analysis of Micro and Macro

Delich, Joshua T. Organizational Behavior: Perceptions Analysis of Micro and Macro

Organizational Behavior in an Organizational Setting. Doctor of Philosophy (Educational Leadership),

December 2015, 214 pp., 35 tables, 6 figures, references, 528 titles.

Understanding organizational behavior (OB) has profoundly influenced organizational

performance and how people behave in organizations. Researchers have suggested various

micro and macro organizational behaviors to be the impetus for high-performing organizations.

Through a policy capturing approach this study builds on these findings by specifically

examining the perceptions of micro and macro organizational behaviors in an organizational

setting. The participants (n =181) completed a Micro and Macro Organizational Behavior

Perceptions Questionnaire. Results showed perception differences exist between subordinates

and supervisors. Additionally, participants perceived job satisfaction to be the most important

micro organizational behavior, whereas organizational design was perceived to be the most

important macro organizational behavior. However when comparing hierarchal positions in the

organization, supervisors weighted leadership as the most important and subordinates weighted

job satisfaction as the most important organizational behavior. While these findings only scratch

the surface as to how organizational behavior is perceived, the implications challenge leaders to

close the OB perception gap. Correspondingly, organizational behavior thinking may result in

improving individual and organizational performance.

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Copyright 2015

by

Joshua T. Delich

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Dr. Huffman, I want to gratefully thank you for the remarkable support, guidance, and

sincerity you showed me during this process. You will always hold a special place in my future

career endeavors. It is my privilege to have worked under your guidance.

To my dissertation committee, thank you for the thought-provoking insight you provided

me along the way. Thank you for what you taught me during the doctoral program.

To my brother Caleb, thank you for the many conversations we had over the years during

my research, you unknowingly ignited the fire inside me to keep persevering. Brotherly love

forever. Rachel, Jennifer, Eve, and Charity, “Little Josh” is done. Thanks for checking in on my

progress throughout this journey.

John and Trudy, your enduring and unconditional love and support laid the foundation

that made this all possible. When you turn the pages of this body of research, know that each

page was because of you. Dad and Mom, you are as deserving of this degree as I am. Love you.

Daddy’s beautiful little girls, Rae’ven-Hope and Nylah-Rae, you were, and will always

be, an inspiration for me to keep going. While you probably will never remember Daddy’s

research days, I will always remember your little voices asking me: “Are you doing research?

When will you be done?” My precious daughters, your dad is finished. I love you.

Finally, and most importantly, I would like to thank my wife, Desirae, for the unwavering

love, incredible support, selfless acts, and compassionate understanding you gave me during this

long journey. I will never forget the sacrifices you made. I am so blessed, and honored, to call

you my wife. And despite this landmark in our lives coming to an end, it is only the beginning

of many more amazing milestones we will achieve together. My soul mate for life, I love you.

We did it!

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii

LIST OF TABLES ix

LIST OF FIGURES xi

CHAPTERS

1 INTRODUCTION 1

Background 1

What is Organizational Behavior 3

Historical Origin of Organizational Behavior 4

Statement of the Problem 5

Statement of Purpose 6

Research Questions 6

Significance of Study 6

Delimitations 7

Assumptions 8

Theoretical/Conceptual Framework 9

Definition of Terms 11

Organization of Study 14

2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE 16

Organizational Behavior 16

Micro and Macro Dichotomy 18

Micro Organizational Behaviors 21

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Stress 21

Job Satisfaction 25

Creativity 28

Leadership 32

Macro Organizational Behavior 38

Organizational Structure 39

Organizational Design 48

Organizational Change 54

Organizational Development 64

Contingency Theory 72

Policy Capturing Approach 74

Social Judgment Theory 76

Lens Model 78

Single System Design 78

Conclusion 79

3 METHODOLOGY 82

Introduction 82

Research Questions 83

Research Design 83

Policy Capturing Approach 83

Defining Judgment Policy 86

Population 87

Pilot Study 89

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Data Collection Procedures 90

Instrument Design 90

Instrument Questions 90

Instrument Considerations 92

Instrument Validity and Reliability 92

Limitations 96

Policy Capturing Approach Limitations 97

Data Analysis 98

Summary 99

4 RESULTS 102

Overview of Data Collection 102

Materials 102

Questionnaire Instrument 103

Descriptive Statistics 104

Questionnaire Response Rate 104

Demographical Data 104

Statistical Analysis 106

Characteristics of Data 106

Least-Squared 106

Cue Usage 107

Data Results 109

Conclusion 116

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5 DISCUSSION, IMPLICATIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS 119

Introduction 119

Review of Organizational Behavior 119

Overview of the Study 120

Summary of the Results 121

Perceptions Theorization 123

Discussion 126

Concluding the Eight Studied Organizational Behaviors 126

Insight on Findings of the Study 130

Implications 134

Recommendations 135

Leveraging, Understanding, and Managing Organizational

Behavior 135

Interlocking Organizational Behavior Thinking with High-

Performing Attributes 137

Future Exploration into the Field of Organizational Behavior 139

Concluding Thoughts 143

APPENDIX

A. DIFFERENTIATING ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR SUBFIELDS 146

B. DEFINING ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR 150

C. STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS/CHANGE MANAGEMENT

MODELS 152

D. LENS MODEL SINGLE SYSTEM DESIGN 155

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E. MATHEMATICAL FORMULATION OF BRUNSWIK’S LENS MODEL 157

F. QUESTIONNAIRE FOR DETERMING THE RELATIONSHIP

BETWEEN ADMINISTRATOR AND TEACHER PERCEPTIONS

OF MICRO AND MACRO ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR IN AN

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING 159

G. HIGH-PERFORMING ORGANIZATIONS, HIGH-PERFORMING

PEOPLE, AND HIGH PERFORMING LEADERS 174

REFERENCES 178

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LIST OF TABLES

Page

1. Definitions of Organizational Behavior ............................................................................ 17

2. Differentiating Organizational Behavior Subfields .......................................................... 19

3. Micro vs. Macro Organizational Behavior: Issues, Research, and Applications .............. 20

4. Creativity........................................................................................................................... 31

5. Leadership Effects ............................................................................................................ 34

6. Leadership Styles .............................................................................................................. 35

7. Organizational Structure – 3 Key Components ................................................................ 41

8. Organizational Structure Types ........................................................................................ 42

9. Organization Structure – Tall vs. Flat Organizations ....................................................... 44

10. Organizational Structure – Dimensions Impacted .............................................................. 45

11. Mechanistic vs. Organic ..................................................................................................... 49

12. Montzberg’s Five Organizational Design Configurations ................................................. 51

13. Classical and Neoclassical Organization Design ............................................................... 52

14. Organizational Change ....................................................................................................... 55

15. Receptivity to Change ........................................................................................................ 56

16. Organizational Change Types ............................................................................................ 57

17. Strategic Planning Process/Change Management Models ................................................. 63

18. Organizational Development Goals ................................................................................... 67

19. Organizational Development Types ................................................................................... 71

20. Transparency, Communicability, Coherence, and Transferability Defined ....................... 94

21. Demographical Characteristics of the Research Sample .................................................. 105

22. Normalized Usefulness Index Across All Participants .................................................... 108

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23. Logistical Regression Coefficients for Demographics Assessing Micro and Macro

Organizational Behavior Preference ................................................................................ 110

24. Logistical Regression Coefficients for Weighted Cues Assessing Micro and Macro

Organizational Behavior Preference ................................................................................ 111

25. Cue Means and Standard Deviation for T-Test Analysis ................................................. 112

26. Mean Differences in the Weighted Cues for Teachers and Administrators ..................... 113

27. Perception Importance: Micro or Macro Organizational Behavior .................................. 114

28. Perception Importance within the Organizational Behavior ............................................ 115

29. Perception Importance with the Organizational Behavior - Macro ................................. 115

30. Perception Importance of the Eight Organizational Behaviors ....................................... 116

31. Attributes of High-Performing Organizations, People, and Leaders .............................. 138

A.1. Differentiating Organizational Behavior Subfields ......................................................... 147

B.1. Organizational Behavior – Definitions and References ................................................... 151

C.1. Strategic Planning Process/Change Management Models ............................................... 153

G.1. High-performing Organizations, High-performing People, and High-performing

Leaders ............................................................................................................................. 175

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LIST OF FIGURES

Page

1. Organizational structure types .......................................................................................... 42

2. Flat organization and tall organization ............................................................................. 43

3. Mechanistic and organic characteritistics ......................................................................... 50

4. Determing organization development interventions ......................................................... 69

D.1. Lens model – single system design ................................................................................. 156

E.1. Mathematical formulation of Brunswik’s lens model. ................................................... 158

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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Organizational behavior is important to leaders, managers, employees, and consumers; and

understanding it can make us more effective leaders, managers, employees and consumers.

- Richard Sims, 2002

In Chapter 1, the background and historical roots of organizational behavior are

discussed. The theoretical framework that supports this research study is disclosed to better

explain the vacillating behaviors observed in an organizational setting. Furthermore, the

following sections in Chapter 1 are: problem statement, purpose of the study, significance of the

study, delimitations, limitations, and assumptions of the study. Lastly, Chapter 1 concludes with

definition of key terms and organization of the study.

Background

Through decades of research, the study of organizational behavior (OB) has yielded a

multitude of attributes that lead to high-performing organizations. Researchers in psychology,

sociology, political science, economics, and other social sciences have systematically attempted

to explain and develop a comprehensive body of organizational research that explain the

attributes that lead to organizational performance (Greenberg, 2011; Miner, 2007; Owens &

Valesky, 2011; Wagner & Hollenbeck, 2005). If leaders are better able to answer the questions

of how to design organizations to become superior performers by identifying what specific

actions need to be taken, then leaders can implement systems to drive organizational success

(Epstein & Manzoni, 2004). In an attempt to discover the fundamental attributes that lead to

high-performing organizations, scholars have turned to the study of organizational behavior for

the answer (Colquitt, Lepine, & Wesson, 2009; Greenberg, 2003, 2011; E. M. Hanson, 2003;

Miner, 2007; Owens, 2001; Sims, 2002; Wagner & Hollenbeck, 2005).

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Leaders need to know how to manage behavior effectively in the organization and to

identify the connection between organizational behavior and performance to become a high-

performing organization (Hitt, Miller, & Colella, 2006). Furthermore, Hitt et al. (2006) goes on

to purport that improved performance in an organization requires taking a strategic approach to

organizational behavior by organizing and managing people’s knowledge and skills.

Understanding organizational behavior has influenced organizational performance and how

people behave in organizations (Clegg, Barling, & Cooper, 2008). As Sims (2002)

acknowledges, recognition of organizational behavior has empowered leaders to better

understand the myriad workforce issues, therefore, altering leadership behavior to increase an

organization’s performance and effectiveness. By recognizing and understanding the impact

organizational behavior has on performance, leaders can better ascertain what attributes lead to

high-performing organizations. Subsequently, leading researchers in the field turn to

organizational behavior when identifying the organizational attributes that are responsible for the

difference in performance levels among organizations (Colquitt et al., 2009; Greenberg, 2011;

Miner, 2007; Owens, 2001; Wagner & Hollenbeck, 2005).

Researchers have spent decades studying organizations, people, individuals, and the

reasons why some organizations perform at unprecedented high levels, and other organizations

make a descending plunge to dismal performance. How does this happen? Connellan (1978)

posited the majority of an organization’s problems are derived from human performance

problems; thus, a change in human behavior means a change in the performance results of the

organization. Organizational behavior has been identified as the crucial variable for achieving

success, and is considered the fundamental underpinning that helps leaders identify problems,

ascertain how to address the problems, recognize the complexities within the organization, and

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establish whether change needs to occur to make things better (Miner, 2006b; Sims, 2002).

Organizational behavior is used as a means for enhancing organizational effectiveness and

individual welfare (Greenberg, 2011; Robbins & Judge, 2007). Research shows that

organizational behavior affects performance levels within an organization.

What is Organizational Behavior?

The field of organizational behavior has evolved from the various disciplines of

psychology, sociology, political science, and economics; therefore, notably being defined as the

study of behavior of individuals and groups within an organization (Cummings, 1978;

Greenberg, 2011; Schneider, 1985; Wagner & Hollenbeck, 2005). Greenberg (2011) defines

organizational behavior to be a multidisciplinary field that seeks knowledge of behavior in an

organizational setting by systematically studying individual, group, and organizational processes.

Organizational behavior is the study of individual behavior and group dynamics in an

organization, primarily focusing on the psychosocial, interpersonal, and behavioral dynamics in

organizations; thus, morphing into an applied discipline that is an interplay of practice and

application (Miner, 2006b; Nelson & Quick, 2009; Wilson, 2001). Organizational behavior

researchers seek to describe, understand, and predict behavior in the environment of formal

organizations by focusing on individual, group, and organizational dynamics (Miner, 2005;

Sims, 2002; Wagner & Hollenbeck, 2005).

Researchers have also identified organizational behavior as the actions and attitudes of

people in an organization that attempt to understand, explain, and ultimately improve the

attitudes and behaviors of individuals and groups in organizations (Colquitt et al., 2009; Sims,

2002). Organizational behavior differs from related fields (psychology, sociology, political

science, and anthropology) in the fact it specifically focuses on individual and group behavior in

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an organization (Northcraft & Neale, 1990). As Owens and Valesky (2011) purport, “. . .

organizational behavior is an area in which social scientists and school administrations can seek

to collaborate, however imperfectly, to bridge the gulf between arcane academic inquiry and the

everyday challenges of improving the performance of schools” (p. 65). Organizational behavior

has evolved into a growing field of study that provides a plethora of information for 21st century

leaders who are interested in improving organizational performance and identifying the attributes

that lead to high-performing organizations.

Historical Origin of Organizational Behavior

The study of organizational performance, organizational theory, and the origin of

organizational behavior dates back to the era of the Industrial Revolution and Scientific

Management era in the United States (Sims, 2002), the epoch in which classical thinkers such as

Max Weber (a German sociologist), Henri Fayol (a French industrialist), and Fredrick Taylor (an

American industrial engineer) began to examine the various attributes of organizational

performance and efficiency (E. M. Hanson, 2003). By the 1930s, organizations were examined

through a social system theory lens, and by the 1960s, organizations, specifically educational

organizations, were viewed through the open system theory (Owens & Valesky, 2011). The first

review of organizational behavior was done in 1979 by Terence R. Mitchell which covered four

topics: personality and individual differences, job attitudes, motivation, and leadership

(Cummings, 1982). Preceding Mitchell’s work on organizational behavior came Cummings in

1982, Staw in 1984, and Schneider in 1985 (Schneider, 1985). By the 1980s, organizational

behavior was codified into two separate and identifiable fields: micro organizational behavior

[individual action] and macro organizational behavior [organization action] (Cummings, 1982;

Nystrom & Starbuck, 1981; Schneider, 1985; Staw, 1991).

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Micro organizational behavior includes individual behaviors that influence organizational

action (Cummings, 1978), while macro organizational behavior is the social structure and the

effects of the structure on the organization and the people within the organization (Pfeffer, 1991).

Decades later, organizational behavior has been divided into three distinct subfields: micro

organizational behavior, meso organizational behavior, and macro organizational behavior

(Miner, 2006b; Wagner & Hollenbeck, 2005). Micro organizational behavior focuses primarily

on the behaviors of an individual, meso organizational behavior hones in on the behaviors of

people working together in teams and groups, and macro organizational behavior zeroes in on

the behaviors of the entire organization (Tosi & Abolafia, 1992). According to Sims (2002), all

three levels (individuals, groups, and organizations) must be used to fully comprehend the

dynamics of behavior in organizations. The origin of organizational behavior has come a long

way since the era of Weber, Fayol, and Taylor. As a result of research, organizations’ leaders

have found ways to improve their efficiency, performance, and results. For the purpose of this

study, micro and macro organizational behaviors will be the foci.

Statement of Problem

Since the era of the Industrial Revolution, theorists, scientists, practitioners, and

researchers alike have studied ways to improve organizational performance. Literature portrays

organizational behavior as a primary catalyst for improving organizational performance

(Greenberg, 2011; Ivancevich, Konopaske, & Matteson, 2008; Miner, 2007; Robbins & Judge,

2007). Since the first review of organizational behavior in 1979, a comprehensive body of

research has been conducted to empower leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to

improve organizational performance through organizational behavior (Mitchell, 1979). As a

result of years of organizational behavior research, a myriad of micro and macro organizational

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behaviors have been noted as the seminal attributes that lead to high-performing organizations

(Wagner & Hollenbeck, 2005).

Despite the extensive volume of research on organizational behavior, no research has yet

been done to examine what subordinates and supervisors perceive as the most important micro

organizational behaviors and the most important macro organizational behaviors. With this

study, the researcher will specifically examine the perceptions of micro and macro organizational

behaviors through the lens of classroom teachers and school administrators.

Statement of Purpose

The intent of this study is to examine classroom teachers’ and school administrators’

perceptions of micro organizational behaviors and macro organizational behaviors in an

organizational setting through aspects of the policy capturing approach.

Research Questions

1. How are eight selected organizational behaviors perceived by a teacher?

2. How are eight selected organizational behaviors perceived by an administrator?

Significance of Study

Findings from this study may provide potential insights for both practitioners and

researchers. Although much research has been dedicated to organizational behavior in the

educational setting (E. M. Hanson, 1996, 2003; Owens, 1970, 1981, 1991; Owens & Valesky,

2011), the significance of this study will be the first of its kind to examine the relationship

between the perceptions of classroom teachers and school administrators in regard to micro and

macro organizational behaviors.

The implications of this study will inform leaders and aspiring leaders with research

regarding the impact that micro and macro organizational behaviors can have on improved

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individual and organizational performance. By shedding light on this relationship between what

school leadership and classroom teachers perceive as important micro and macro organizational

behaviors, the study may identify the need for a paradigm shift in organizational thinking.

Delimitations

With this research study, the investigator does not look at all the posited and identifiable

micro, macro, or meso organizational behaviors, only selected behaviors were examined. Only

Texas school districts that met the Texas Education Agency guidelines for being a secondary

school were considered and included in this study. The sample of the study draws from Texas

teachers and school administrators who work at the secondary level (9th-12th grades). The data

from the research was geographically restricted to the state of Texas, thus generalization of the

study should be cautioned when extrapolating findings to other educational settings or regional

locations.

Employing the policy capturing approach Cooksey (1996a) purports four empirical

delimitations: (a) judgmental policies are not always described accurately and completely by

people, (b) judgmental policies may be inconsistently applied by people, (c) often a small

number of cues are used, and (d) it can be quite difficult to ascertain or learn another’s policy by

simply listening or observing judgments. According to Connolly, Arkes, and Hammond (2000),

a robust policy capturing study and its findings shoulder all four essential aspects: a) cue

identification; b) the assignment of cue values to be used in the study; c) the selection of judges

representative of those who normally make such decisions; and lastly, (d) the presentation and

demands of the task. All things considered, the four aspects are designed with a high degree of

representativeness, subsequently resulting in an equivalent degree of precision in the statistical

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descriptions of the policy capturing study. With that in mind, for the purpose of this study, it is

deduced that all four essential aspects were designed with a high degree of representativeness.

Assumptions

As Leedy and Ormrod (2010) posited, “Assumptions are so basic that, without them, the

research problem itself could not exist” (p. 62). The assumptions section is divided into two

sections: (a) general educational research assumptions and (b) specific assumptions to the

research study at hand.

Based upon the work of Johnson and Christensen (2004, 2008, 2012), there are three

general educational research assumptions made regarding this study: (a) certain agreed-on norms

and practices in the research were followed (i.e., collection of empirical data, integrity, honesty,

respect towards research participants and neutrality); (b) understanding the predictable part of the

world allowed generalizability to be inferred in this research; and (c) recognition that science

alone cannot provide answers to all questions or the meaning of life. Furthermore, assumptions

about this study correspond with the work of Cohen, Swerdlik, and Sturman (2013) that various

sources of error may manifest as part of the assessment process, the selected measurement

technique [in this case policy capturing approach] in a research study has strengths and

weaknesses, and lastly, assessment of data will be conducted in a fair and unbiased manner.

Coinciding with Bryant (2004), the assumption in this research study that the research

extrapolates about the tools used to glean and analyze data and the chosen research method is

predicated on epistemological suppositions about what constitutes authentic knowledge and what

constitutes legitimate methods of procuring that knowledge. Epistemological is described as the

study of a theory of the nature and grounds of knowledge especially with reference to its limits

and validity (Agnes, 2001).

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The assumptions are even more specific to this research study. A keystone assumption

made was the identified micro and macro organizational behaviors of this research study were

accurately captured through the policy capturing approach. Additionally, an assumption would

be the policy capturing approach was the most operative methodology to answer the research

questions. It was assumed the statistical weighting and regression analysis were correctly

calculated to reflect the perceptions of classroom teachers and school administrators. Also, it

was assumed the participants in this study answered all the survey questions with complete

candidness and honesty. Likewise, it was assumed the validity of the individual questions that

were asked was understood by the participants in the study. Since a survey was the means of

collecting data, it was assumed the sample is representative of the population in which inferences

are being made. Lastly, the relationship that existed between the perceptions of classroom

teachers and school administrators is assumed to be representative of a larger sample based upon

the stability of findings gathered at this specific point in time.

Theoretical/Conceptual Framework

Researchers have discovered when studying human behavior in organizations there are

no simple answers; organizations are not static, but rather quite dynamic, intricate, and ever-

changing (Greenberg, 2011), thus one of the most effective ways to organize and manage is

contingent upon the circumstances of complexity and change within the organization (Hatch,

1997). The theoretical framework for this study is grounded in the precepts of contingency

theory.

In 1967, emergence of the contingency theory came about through the work of Paul

Lawrence and Jay Lorsch (Miner, 2007). The first formal statement of contingency theory

defined an organization as, “A system of interrelated behaviors of people who are performing a

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task that has been differentiated into several distinct subsystems, each subsystem performing a

portion of task, and the efforts of each being integrated to achieve effective performance of the

system” (P. R. Lawrence & Lorsch, 1967a, p. 3). Based on P. R. Lawrence and Lorsch’s (1967a)

empirical study of 10 organizations, they acknowledged different types of organizations faced

different types of environments; therefore, the divergent characteristics of the environment result

in different types of structures and processes evident in the corresponding organizations. As a

result of P. R. Lawrence and Lorsch’s work, the proliferation of contingency thinking emerged.

The contingency approach is a theoretical perspective that serves as the theory-practice

gap (Moberg & Koch, 1975). Contingency theory is a major theoretical framework used to view

organizations (Donaldson, 2001). This paradigm of thought suggests organizational

effectiveness results from aligning organizational characteristics (i.e., structure, environment,

organizational size, and organizational strategy) to contingencies that augment the situation of

the organization (Donaldson, 2001; P. R. Lawrence & Lorsch, 1967a; Pennings, 1992;

Woodward, 1965). A contingency is “any variable that moderates the effect of an organizational

characteristic on organizational performance” (Donaldson, 2001, p. 7). A primary contribution

that contingency thinking offers is providing leaders a way to thoroughly analyze the

interrelationship between internal needs and external conditions within an organization

(Hellriegel & Slocum, 1973).

The contingency theory perspective is grounded in the ideology that recognizes behavior

in an organization as the complex result of many micro and macro behaviors and the way

someone behaves in the organization is contingent on the many different variables present

(Greenberg, 2011). According to Vibert (2004), a researcher using contingency theory attempts

to answer the seminal question of which organizational structure achieves the highest

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performance. There is no universal principle of management that can be used in all situations,

but rather the management approaches vary because they are dependent on the unique conditions

and internal factors that are inherent to the organization (Bowditch & Buono, 2001; Kast &

Rosenzweig, 1972). As Owens and Valesky (2011) attest, by critically understanding and

analyzing organizational behavior leaders can identify certain designs of organizational structure

and certain management models that can lead to increased efficiency.

The contingency theory underscores the relationship between the internal and external

environments in an organization, therefore an organization’s effectiveness and efficiency is

dependent on an organization’s capacity to change internal variables to address the changing

external environments (E. M. Hanson, 1996, 2003). For an organization to be both efficient and

effective, the structures of the organization should be designed to react to the various

contingencies that shape the organization, and the decision(s) regarding the organization should

be dependent on the particular situations that the organization faces (Vibert, 2004). The

contingency theory has paved the way for leaders to bridge the gap between organizational

behavior and organizational performance. The underpinnings of this study will rely heavily on

the contingency theory approach to ascertain whether classroom teachers or school

administrators perceive micro organizational behaviors or macro organizational behaviors more

important. Additionally, contingency theory will be used to support whether or not a relationship

exists between the perceptions of classroom teachers and school administrators.

Definition of Terms

For the purpose of this study the following terms are defined as:

Organizational Behavior – “A multidisciplinary field that seeks knowledge of

behavior in organizational settings by systematically studying individual, group, and

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organizational processes” (Greenberg, 2011, p. 3), while at the same time

understanding individual, interpersonal, and organizational factors that influence

behavior and value of an organization’s people (Hitt et al., 2006).

Micro Organizational Behavior – (a) The individual actions and behaviors that

influence organizational action (Cummings, 1978, 1982; Nystrom & Starbuck, 1981;

Schneider, 1985; Staw, 1991). (b) Micro organizational behavior focuses primarily on

the behaviors of an individual within an organization (Tosi & Abolafia, 1992).

Macro Organizational Behavior – (a) The organizational action and behaviors that

influence the organization as a whole (Cummings, 1982; Nystrom & Starbuck, 1981;

Schneider, 1985; Staw, 1991), (b) The social structure and the effects of the structure

on the organization and the people within the organization (Pfeffer, 1991), (c) The

behaviors of the entire organization (Tosi & Abolafia, 1992).

Meso Organizational Behavior – Meso organizational behavior will be defined as the

behaviors of people working together in teams and groups within the organization

(Tosi & Abolafia, 1992). For the purpose of this study, meso organizational

behaviors will not be studied.

Organizational Effectiveness – Organizational effectiveness can have a very broad

meaning that has been the subject of considerable interest and has yet to have a

universally accepted definition (Hitt & Middlemist, 1979). For the purpose of this

study, organizational effectiveness is: “The organizational ability to attain the goals

set by itself, the organization’s ability to function well as a system and the

organizations ability to satisfy its stakeholders” (Donaldson, 2001, p. 6).

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High-Performing Organizations - High-performing organizations are denoted as

organizations with five distinguishable attributes: (a) compelling vision that creates

an intentional laser-like focused culture which drives the organization’s results; (b)

ongoing learning system that is constantly building knowledge capital and permeating

the learning throughout the organization; (c) relentless focus on customer results and

a keen aptitude to measure the organization’s results; (d) well-defined invigorating

systems, structures, and processes that are clearly aligned to support the

organization’s vision, strategic direction, and goals; and (e) shared power and

distributed decision making throughout the organization that catalyzes high

involvement (Blanchard & Ken Blanchard Companies., 2010). Furthermore, high-

performing organizations are organizations that demonstrate exceptional effectiveness

and efficiency (Bidwell & Kasarda, 1985).

Policy Capturing –

1. The process of applying multiple regression methods to obtain a representation of

a judge’s policy [a judge is one who completes the survey]. The degree of

success in capturing the policy is indexed by the multiple correlation Rs

(Cooksey, 1996a, p. 371).

2. Quantitatively describing a relationship between a decision-maker’s judgment and

the information or cues used to make the judgment (Brehmer, 1988).

3. The goal is to “capture” the way a decision maker weighs and combines

various pieces of information when arriving at a particular decision—that

is, to uncover the decision-rules individuals apply in evaluating and

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integrating information in coming to an overall judgment (Boon & Sulsky,

1997, p. 20).

For further explanation, refer to the Policy Capturing Approach section in Chapter 3.

Social Judgment Theory (SJT) – SJT would be the explanation of how decision

makers weigh and combine informational cues in forming judgments; the policy-

capturing approach is a technique derived from the social judgment theory in forming

judgments (Brehmer, 1988; Connolly et al., 2000).

Judgment – Judgments are defined as, “The opinion about what is (or will be) the

status of some aspect of the world” (Yates, 1990 p. 6). “It is the mental or intellectual

process of forming an opinion or evaluation by discerning and comparing” (Arkes &

Hammond, 1986 p. 1). Judgment is the, “Explicit indication of a judge’s appraisal of

a cue profile’s position with respect to some dimension of interest (Cooksey, 1996a,

p. 369).

Organization of Study

This mixed-method qualitative study is divided into five chapters. In Chapter 1, the

researcher introduced the problem statement, purpose of the study, guiding research questions,

theoretical framework, definition of terms, delimitations and limitations of the study,

significance of the study, organization of the study, and an organization of the study. Chapter 2

consists of a comprehensive review of organizational behavior literature, delving deeper into the

differentiation between micro and macro organizational behaviors. In Chapter 3, the researcher

explains the methods and procedures used for this study. Chapter 4 contains an analysis of the

data through the method of policy capturing aspects as well as descriptive statistics. In Chapter 5,

the researcher analyzes the results of the study and provides discussions and recommendations

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for future research in the field of organizational behavior. The study concludes with references

and appendixes.

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CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

An empowered organization is one in which individuals have the knowledge, skill, desire, and

opportunity to personally succeed in a way that leads to collective organizational success.

- Stephen R. Covey

Researchers of organizational behavior have acknowledged a multitude of micro and

macro organizational behaviors. With the review of literature, the researcher presents how micro

and macro organizational behaviors are a decisive impetus behind high-performing organizations

and human behavior. In this chapter, the researcher presents literature that examines and

emphasizes the micro and macro organizational behaviors for the current study. The review of

literature is organized into four main sections. Section 1 provides information on micro

organizational behaviors: stress, job satisfaction, creativity, and leadership. Section 2 canvasses

the macro organizational behaviors: organizational structure, organizational design,

organizational change, and organizational development. In Section 3, the researcher discusses

the interplay between the contingency theory and social judgment theory as it pertains to the

research design in the current study. Lastly, Section 4 concludes with a summary of the review

of literature.

Organizational Behavior

Organizational behavior is the field of study that concentrates on the study of human

behavior in organizations (Greenberg, 2011). Inability to recognize how behaviors affect

organizational performance may lead to the intensification of behaviors that only exacerbate

organizational ineffectiveness (Staw & Salancik, 1977). A body of research indicates how

organizational behavior impacts organizational performance (Greenberg, 2011; Harris &

Hartman, 2002; Nahavandi & Malekzadeh, 1999; Nelson & Quick, 2011; Staw & Salancik,

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1977). To improve organizational performance, understanding human behavior is essential. As

Nelson and Quick (2011) posit, organizational behavior helps to explain the ways in which the

individual and the organization interact. Greenberg (2011) affirms organizational behavior to be

the antecedent for enhancing organizational effectiveness and individual well-being. So why

take an organizational behavior perspective for this research study? Pfeffer (2007) infers that

taking an organizational behavior perspective enables researchers to better explain the why in

organizational performance. However, before moving forward in the literature review it is

essential that organizational behavior is defined. Refer to Table 1 to see how over the years

leading researchers and organizational behavioral scientists have categorized organizational

behavior.

Table 1

Definitions of Organizational Behavior

Reference Definition of Organizational Behavior

Greenberg, 2011, p. 3 Multidisciplinary field that seeks knowledge of behavior

in organizational settings by systematically studying

individual, group, and organizational processes.

Nelson & Quick, 2009, p. 3 Study of individual behavior and group dynamics in an

organization, primarily focusing on the psychosocial,

interpersonal, and behavioral dynamics in organizations.

Colquitt et al., 2009, p. 7 A field of study devoted to understanding, explaining, and

ultimately improving the attitudes and behaviors of

individuals and groups in organizations.

Bowditch & Buono, 2001

Study of people, groups, and their interactions in an

organization.

Robbins & Judge, 2007, p. 9 A field of study that investigates the impact that

individuals, groups, and structure have on behavior within

organizations, for the purpose of applying such

knowledge toward improving an organization’s

effectiveness.

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Using organizational behavior, a researcher attempts to understand how interpersonal,

individual, and organizational dynamics influence the human behavior of people in an

organization (Hitt, Miller, & Colella, 2011). Understanding organizational behavior is a critical

component to improved organizational performance (Colquitt et al., 2009). Moreover, Miles

(1980) suggests managers need to understand the patterns of behavior that are observed, predict

in what direction behavior will move or change, and use this knowledge to control behavior

within the organization. Furthermore, at the epicenter of personal and organizational

effectiveness is the notion organizational behavior can contribute and make a difference that

empowers organizations to achieve their potential when the organization makes a positive impact

in the lives of their stakeholders and constituents (Nahavandi & Malekzadeh, 1999). Over time,

organizational behavior research has enhanced management practices, refined organizational

dynamics, and transformed human behavior within the organization and its people. As Hersey

and Blanchard (1977) assert, understanding past behavior and predicting future behavior are

necessary for running effective organizations; additionally, leaders must also develop skills in

directing, changing, and influencing the behavior of people. Yet in order to do so, leaders should

recognize the major dichotomy between micro and macro organizational behavior.

Micro and Macro Dichotomy

The cornerstone of this literature review includes micro and macro organizational

behavior research. As noted in Table 2, there are three distinct subfields of organizational

behavior: micro, macro and meso organizational behavior.

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Table 2

Differentiating Organizational Behavior Subfields

Micro Organizational

Behavior

Organizational behavior that

is focused on individuals

working alone or working in

groups

Macro Organizational

Behavior

Organizational behavior that

is focused on action of the

group or an organization as a

whole

Meso Organizational

Behavior

Organizational behavior that

is focused on behavior within

groups and teams

Individual differences Organizational power Interdependence

Personality characteristics Organizational politics Organizational roles

Diversity Organizational conflict Communication

Perception Structural interdependence Efficiency

Decision making Organizational structure Motivation

Creativity Hierarchy & Centralization Work Design

Work motivation Organizational design Group dynamics

Job Performance Technology Team effectiveness

Leadership Leadership Leadership

Job satisfaction External environment

Stress Organizational culture

Attitudes Organizational change

Turnover & Absenteeism Organizational development

Note: Leadership is repeatedly notated in micro organizational behavior and meso organizational

behavior. Some research has even placed leadership under macro organizational behavior.

Source: Greenberg (2011); Miner (2006a, 2006b); Pfeffer (1991); Sims (2002); Staw (1991);

Wagner & Hollenbeck (2005). (see Appendix A for a complete list)

For the purpose of this study, only specific micro and macro organizational behaviors

were studied. Miles (1980) explained there are different levels of abstraction at which

organizational behavior can be examined, thus making it imperative to understand, design, and

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manage organizational behavior. Table 3 shows the dichotomy between micro and macro

organizational behaviors.

Table 3

Micro vs. Macro Organizational Behavior: Issues, Research, and Applications

Micro Organizational

Behavior

versus Macro Organizational

Behavior

Issue Emphasis

Structures and processes with

individuals, small groups and

their leaders, and the linkages

between them.

Structures and processes

within major subsystems,

organizations, and their

environments, and the linkage

between them.

Research Focus

Study of behaviors of

individuals, small groups, and

their leaders in the laboratory

or in relatively isolated or

immediate social settings.

Study of the behaviors of

members of major

subsystems, subsystems

themselves, organizations,

and their environments within

their larger contexts.

Primary Application

Individual self-improvement

and job design, intervention

into interpersonal and group

processes, training of leaders

of small groups. Individual

and group change.

Design and management of

the structures and processes

linking major subsystems,

organizations, and their

environments.

Organizational and

environmental change.

Note: The table was constructed from the work of Miles, 1980, p. 3

Notated earlier was the assertion that micro and macro organizational behaviors have an

impact on organizational performance. When strategizing how to develop high performing

organizations, leaders may want to consider the dichotomy amidst organizational behavior. So

much so, that Nahavandi and Malekzadeh (1999) avow it is essential that leaders understand the

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levels of analysis (micro and macro) within their organization in order to meet the challenging

demands of leading an organization. Having defined organizational behavior (see Appendix B)

and explaining the differentiation within organizational behavior, the review of literature now

turns to the eight organizational behaviors examined in the research study.

Micro Organizational Behavior

Extensive research in the field of micro organizational behavior has been conducted. As

Cummings (1978) suggests, micro organizational behavior embraces the behaviors that are more

individual in nature, yet influence the organization as a whole in a striking way. Miner (2006a)

asserts micro organizational behavior not only ranges from working alone but also working in

groups. To improve organizational and individual performance, researchers acknowledge the

effect of micro organizational behavior. Stress, job satisfaction, creativity, and leadership will be

thoroughly examined to shed light on the influential effect that micro organizational behavior

can have on individual and organizational performance. The purpose of this portion of the

literature review is to underscore the selected micro organizational behaviors in this research

study.

Stress

Stress is the pattern of emotional and physiological reactions occurring in response to

demands from within or outside an organization (Greenberg, 2013, p. 156). Stress is also

regarded as any action or situation that places physical or psychological strain on people

(Brimm, 1983). According to Eckles (1987), stress emerges internally rather than externally;

specifically, people experience external stressful events or situations but are then unable to cope

with their external stressors which in turn cause stress to be internally generated. Consequently,

yet understandably so, stress has become the mental and physical wear and tear that people

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experience as they live their lives (Hawk & Martin, 2011). From an organizational perspective,

job stress comes about when people experience discomfort in their work situation typically from

an imbalance between job demands and resources (S. J. Roberts, Scherer, & Bowyer, 2011).

Whatever the internal or external causality may be, stress has unmistakably inundated the fabric

of organizations and its people.

The work of Kenexa High Performance Institute indicates stress levels in the workforce

are holding at a higher level compared to the last five years, and stress is on the rise across

geographies, industries, and job types (Pace, 2012). Worldwide, as well as nationally,

employees are claiming their stress levels have increased in the past year; with work being cited

as the top source of stress ("U.S. workers," 2012; "Worker stress," 2012). Work-related stress

has been estimated to cost American companies $300 billion annually (Greenberg, 2011). The

United Nations International Labour Organizations has even gone so far as to define stress as a

“global epidemic” (Kofoworola & Alayode, 2012, p. 162). Subsequently, stress at work has

emerged as an important area of investigation because of its potential effect on the health and

performance of employees in an organization. As Nahavandi and Malekzadeh (1999) claim,

managers must be cognizant of the organizational stress factors that impact the workforce.

Moreover, when awareness of stress is marginalized, organizations and their people experience

detrimental repercussions.

Stress has shown to be the catalyst for job burnout (Mearns & Cain, 2003; Russell,

Altmaier, & Van Velzen, 1987; Yi-Hua & Mei-Ling, 2012). Negative health effects, poor job

performance, and low job satisfaction manifest when stress is not appropriately dealt with (Hitt

et al., 2006; Kofoworola & Alayode, 2012; Salami, Ojokuku, & Ilesanmi, 2010). Ali et al.

(2011) found job performance was impacted by job stress which consequently affects job

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commitment. When job commitment diminishes, job satisfaction plummets and turnover

intentions increase (Samad & Yusuf, 2012); subsequently these variables impact employee and

organizational performance (Hitt et al., 2011; Nelson & Quick, 2009; Robbins & Judge, 2013).

Stress also emerges from job demands. Job demands can lead to constant psychological

overtaxing and long term exhaustion which result in burnout (Bakker, Van Emmerik, & Van

Riet, 2008). As Hering (2012) attests when burnout occurs, employees exhibit difficulty

focusing, decreased creativity, low energy, lack of enthusiasm, and a plethora of health-related

issues. If not dealt with, stress will thwart one’s individual effectiveness, resulting in fruitless

work-related performance (Nahavandi & Malekzadeh, 1999). Considering the sobering findings,

it is undoubtedly important to understand the nature and implications of organizational stress.

Repercussions of stress are disturbing and the impact of stress alone is of grave concern.

By the same token, the way in which stress impacts an individual is alarming. Stress has become

a seminal factor for organizational performance as it impacts the health and wellness of an

employee. Employees who are more happy, are people who are typically more successful and

flourishing, additionally experiencing more successful outcomes (Lyubomirsky, King, & Diener,

2005). Once on the job, employees who have high psychological well-being, and not

experiencing negative emotional states, perform more successfully (Cropanzano & Wright,

1999). Whereas Cropanzano, Rupp, and Byrne (2003) found emotional exhaustion to have a

direct impact on job performance, organizational commitment, and turnover intentions. Job

stressors increase one’s psychological strain, which in turn directly impacts the job performance

of an employee (Beehr, Jex, Stacy, & Murray, 2000; M. R. Smith, Rasmussen, Mills, Wefald, &

Downey, 2012). Stress related factors can have a direct and indirect cost to overall

organizational effectiveness and productivity in an organization. Experiencing high levels of

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organizational stress will lead to negative effects on task performance of employees (Greenberg,

2011). Organizational practices tend to play a significant role in an employee’s feeling of stress,

burnout, and health (Jamal, 2005). As one’s well-being increases so does their job satisfaction,

engagement at work, organizational commitment, and a lower level of turnover intentions

(Brunetto, Teo, Shacklock, & Farr-Wharton, 2012).

Stress affects both the individual and organization in a profound way. Organizational

practices have shown to mitigate or exacerbate one’s stress levels. An individual’s stress

adversely impacts their performance, health, and wellbeing, subsequently bleeding into the

efficiency and effectiveness of the organization. Identifying the major stressor (i.e., occupational

demand, role conflict, role juggling, sexual harassment, social support, and overload to name a

few) as well as identifying various ways of reducing stress in the workplace (i.e., employee

assistance programs, wellness programs, stress management programs and absence control

programs) can reduce or prevent stress (Greenberg, 2011). Stress is a conduit for how well

people perform (Hon & Chan, 2013), the number of errors people make on the job (Hoffer,

1988), and even whether or not they come to work and remain on the job all day (Meško et al.,

2013). If stress plays a significant role in the behavior of people in organizations, it behooves

the organization to take an active role in the efforts of managing and mitigating stress in the

workplace. Hargrove, Nelson, and Cooper (2013) assert top managers recognize both the

wellness and wellbeing of their employees to be of utmost importance in the organization. Bal,

Campbell, and McDowell-Larsen (2009) claim in order to attain optimal performance levels in

an organization, a balanced and healthy level of eustress is needed. Eustress is the positive

psychological response to stressors (Hargrove et al., 2013). The result of eustress yields

increased enthusiasm and motivation in the workplace (Bal et al., 2009; Hargrove et al., 2013).

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Identifying the major causes of organizational stressors, recognizing the impact of stress (both

employee and organization), and managing stress in the workplace will result in enhanced

employee performance and organizational effectiveness; successively helping the organization to

achieve peak performance.

Job Satisfaction

Job satisfaction is a persuasive organizational behavior because job satisfaction embodies

the positive or negative attitudes held by employees towards their job (Greenberg, 2011).

Luthans (2008) suggests there are three dimensions to job satisfaction: (a) emotional reaction to

the job; (b) ability for the job to meet expectations or the expected expectations; and (c)

influential factors that impact job satisfaction (i.e., pay, promotion, colleagues, supervisor). To

understand the resultant impact of job satisfaction fully, a delineation of job satisfaction would

be advantageous. According to Titus (2000), job satisfaction is, “An individual’s positive

emotional reactions to a particular job. It is the affective reaction to a job that results from the

person’s comparison of actual outcomes with those that are desired, anticipated, or deserved” (p.

331). While Swaminathan and Jawahar (2013) codify job satisfaction to be, “The sense of inner

fulfillment and joy achieved when performing a particular job” (p. 71). Tanriverdi (2008) posits

job satisfaction to be, “The pleasure the worker takes from the job or job experience and the

positive emotional state that occurs as a consequence” (p. 152). Everything considered job

satisfaction embodies attitudes, emotions, perceived or intended outcomes, and reactions about

one’s job. Robbins and Judge (2013) suggest the positive and negative feelings about a job are

derived from job satisfaction, so when people speak about employee attitudes they are typically

referring to job satisfaction. Job satisfaction is a decisive micro organizational behavior.

Understanding the implications of job satisfaction is essential for managers and leaders.

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Does job satisfaction really have an eliciting presence on organizations and individuals?

Job satisfaction influences work performance in an organization (Swaminathan & Jawahar,

2013). Brunetto et al. (2012) expressed that job satisfaction predicts an individual’s engagement

at work and their affective commitment. Subsequently, when one’s job satisfaction increases, so

does one’s organizational commitment in the workforce (Tanriverdi, 2008), and when

organizational commitment is present, performance and productivity increases (Jamal, 2011).

Yücel (2012) asserts job satisfaction is one of the most influential antecedents of organizational

commitment and turnover intentions. Yücel (2012) avers higher levels of job satisfaction yield

higher job commitment, which in turn positively influence affective commitment. Soo-Young

and Whitford (2008) found people with a greater sense of commitment to their organization are

less likely to leave. Ahmed and Ahmad (2011) underscore that job satisfaction is important to

organizations as it yields returns on increased employee commitment, motivation, organizational

citizenship behavior, performance, and productivity. Job satisfaction has a significant and

positive relationship with organizational commitment (Bagozzi, 1980; Reichers, 1985).

Correspondingly, employee burnout is a manifestation of the consequences of low levels of job

satisfaction in an organization (Nagar, 2012). Job satisfaction has a colossal impact on employee

performance and organizational productivity.

When job satisfaction is present results are captivating. What do we know about satisfied

workers? Satisfied employees have been found to be more time-effective at work, use less sick

leave, and have lower turnover intentions (Spector, 1994). A significant relationship has been

found between job satisfaction and affective commitment with employees (Meyer, Stanley,

Herscovitch, & Topolnytsky, 2002). Affective commitment is the emotional attachment and

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identification with an organization that makes employees loyal and attached to the organization

(N. J. Allen & John, 1990).

Over time research has found that employee job satisfaction manifests from a multitude

of variables within the organization; thereupon, job satisfaction can be influenced by gender

congruence (Grissom, Nicholson-Crotty, & Keiser, 2012); perceived organizational values

(Kumar, 2012); salary, efficiency in work, fringe benefits, supervision, promotion, and co-

workers (Parvin & Nurul Kabir, 2011; Yang, Brown, & Moon, 2011); situational constraints

(Ferguson & Cheek, 2011); human resource management (Kaya, Koc, & Topcu, 2010);

organizational climate (Mahajan, Churchill, Ford, & Walker, 1984); and organizational

commitment (Lum, Kervin, Clark, Reid, & Sirola, 1998). Recognizing and reacting to the

breadth of contingencies that influence job satisfaction is essential.

Amongst the job satisfaction research there exist some insightful notions. Gender does

not affect job satisfaction (Titus, 2000). According to Tanriverdi (2008), job satisfaction can

only be obtained when the characteristics of the job coincide with the worker’s expectations.

Without job satisfaction, work may latently slow down, productivity will decrease, turnover will

increase, and complaints about the job will increase (Tanriverdi, 2008). As Spector (1997)

postulates, low levels of job satisfaction are problematic for organizations because it increases

the probability that an individual will engage in counterproductive behavior and decreases the

likelihood that the individual will contribute to the overall goals of the organization. Job

satisfaction and affective organizational commitment should be considered when attempting to

understand and manage employee behavior (Meyer et al., 2002). Enhancement of job

satisfaction increases when variety, control over work, task relevance, feedback on results, and

personal growth are provided (Cushway & Lodge, 1993). Replacement costs including

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recruiting, selecting, training costs, lost productivity, loss of high performers, and high potential

talent can be very costly for organizations (D. G. Allen, Bryant, & Vardaman, 2010; Campion,

1991; Maertz & Boyar, 2012; Steel, Griffeth, & Hom, 2002; Trevor, Gerhart, & Boudreau,

1997). The work of Amah (2009) found job satisfaction to have a direct relationship with

turnover intention.

Concluding, job satisfaction is another decisive micro organizational behavior that either

improves or diminishes individual and organizational performance. With job satisfaction being a

driving conduit for performance, leaders in organizations should be cognizant of the implications

of enhancing job satisfaction. Organizational leaders can gain a competitive advantage by

acknowledging job satisfaction as a crucial factor in human resource management (Noe, 2010).

Work plays a significant role in a person’s life simply for the reason they devote more time to

work than most any other single activity. When job satisfaction is managed successfully, work

performance is enriched and organizational productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness improves.

Creativity

Creativity is considered a key to organizational success and survival (Hennessey &

Amabile, 2010; Shalley, Zhou, & Oldham, 2004). Highly creative people are found to be an

asset to an organization (Greenberg, 2011). A creative personality leads to creative performance

(Dul, Ceylan, & Jaspers, 2011). According to Hallowell (2011), creativity at work is an essential

step to igniting peak performance in the workplace. Creativity is recognized as a vital

underpinning for organizational innovation and competitive advantage (Amabile, 1988; Axtell,

Holman, & Wall, 2006; Oldham & Cummings, 1996; Shalley, Gilson, & Blum, 2009; Zhou,

2003). Amabile (2003) claims leaders impact creativity within their employees. Despite the fact

creativity elicits innovation and performance; creativity is often seemingly controlled, chastised,

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or abdicated in organizations regardless of the profound effect on individual and organizational

performance.

According to Amabile (1997, 1998), within every individual, creativity is composed of

three components, all of which managers can have a degree of influence on:

1. Expertise – knowledge (technical, procedural, and intellectual);

2. Creative-thinking skills – how flexible and imaginative people approach problems;

and

3. Motivation – the inner passion to solve the problem at hand.

Creativity is a positive predictor that yields idea implementation in the workforce (Axtell et al.,

2006). As Baer (2012) maintains, unless employees are motivated to push for their innovative

ideas and are given support with strong buy-in relationships, creativity will vanish. Employee

moods, both positive and negative, impact creativity in the workplace, ergo becoming important

and valuable factors when bringing about creativity in organizations (George & Jing, 2007).

Researchers acknowledge various factors that spur creativity both within the individual

and the organization. A positive affect in the workplace relates positively to creativity in the

organization (Amabile, Barsade, Mueller, & Staw, 2005). Organizational teams have a powerful

moderating influence on individual creativity (Hirst, Van Knippenberg, & Zhou, 2009).

Creativity increases under externally imposed structures (how structured the task is and the

instructions provided about the task) and conditions (Sagiv, Arieli, Goldenberg, & Goldschmidt,

2010). Work environment influences creativity by stimulating the individuals’ components of

creativity (Amabile, 1997). Research indicates that individual creative behavior increases as a

person perceives their work environment to support creativity (Amabile, 1988; Diliello,

Houghton, & Dawley, 2011; Hunter, Bedell, & Mumford, 2007; Yuan & Woodman, 2010).

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Thereupon, the use of feedback-seeking behavior is central to the creativity in organizations and

serves as a strategy to enhance creative performance (De Stobbeleir, Ashford, & Buyens, 2011).

Feedback-seeking behavior is when individuals proactively seek evaluative information about

their performance (Porath & Bateman, 2006). Creativity incites innovation and yields improved

performance. Smart organizations and prudent leaders capitalize on creativity and design their

organizational infrastructures to support creativity in the workplace.

Expounding on creativity research, findings point out that organizations and leaders will

face a range of creativity thwarts and catalysts. Literature has underscored a number of

identifiable factors that impact creativity at both the individual level and the organizational level

(see Table 4):

Busco, Frigo, Giovannoni, and Maraghini (2012) couch creativity and innovation as the

cornerstone of what organizations are and what they want to be. Fostering creativity occurs

when leaders: provide organizational support that promotes creativity, carefully design work

teams, frequently offer praise and encouragement, allocate appropriate resources for the task at

hand, provide ample work time to get the task done, and match people with jobs that align to

their expertise and their skills in creative thinking that will ignite intrinsic motivation (Amabile,

1998). Creativity has a cascading effect that seeps into the fabric of the organization, all the

while influencing individual performance.

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Table 4

Creativity

Individual Organization

When people are under increased pressure

and have little time to come up with ideas,

people are less likely to think creatively

(Amabile, Hadley, & Kramer, 2002).

A creative work environment has a strong and

positive effect on creativity and innovation in

the workplace (Politis & Politis, 2010).

Time pressure affects creativity in different

ways, specifically less and less creative

thinking as pressure increases (see Amabile

et al., 2002 regarding the time-

pressure/creativity matrix).

A decline in creativity has been found as

organizations experience downsizing (Amabile

& Conti, 1999).

Leaders not only manage creativity and

identify employees with creative potential;

leaders must also understand how the team

context influences the creativity of

individuals with different dispositions (Hirst

et al., 2009).

Organizational creativity is contingent on the

type of innovation (Çokpekin & Knudsen,

2012).

Promoting creativity in the workplace is

positively related to an individual’s

problem-solving demand (Zhou, 2003).

Creative work environment is composed of

freedom, challenging work, organizational

encouragement, and sufficient resources

(Politis & Politis, 2010).

Employee creativity increases when work

environments enhance intrinsic motivation

(Egan, 2005).

Contextual characteristics in an organization

(i.e., organizational encouragement,

supervisory encouragement, sufficient

resources, challenging work, and organizational

impediments) impact employee creativity

(Hsiu-Ju, 2013).

Employee turnover intentions are a result of

how creative the work environment is for the

worker (Jacqueline & Milton, 2008)

An organization’s job design and the interplay

between the leader-member relationship

increases employee creative work involvement

(Volmer, Spurk, & Niessen, 2012).

Creativity is positively related to job

performance and creative self-efficacy

(Gong, Huang, & Farh, 2009)

Creative work environment affects creative

capital, which in turn affects tangible

organizational outcomes such as: performance,

loyalty, retention, job satisfaction, and

absenteeism (Robbins & Judge, 2013)

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In summation, research has shown that when creativity is emphasized both individual and

organizational facets are impacted. Creativity has been noted as the driving force behind

innovation. Thereupon when creativity is accentuated in the workplace, substantial evidence

indicates there is amelioration at both the macro and micro level. Both the organization and

leadership are found to be pivotal impetuses behind spreading or disbanding creativity (Zhang &

Bartol, 2010). Additionally, research continues to stress the influential effect that creativity

imparts on the individual and organization. As Florida and Goodnight (2005) assert, creative

people are the most valuable asset to an organization. Whereas Amabile and Sansabaugh (1992)

add, the organizational environment in which people work serves as the difference between

creative and uncreative outcomes. Creativity matters and extends into a multitude of individual

and organizational capacities.

Leadership

Leadership is compelling and is an elusive topic that has been extensively researched

over decades. As a result, leadership has morphed into a plethora of definitions by theorists,

researchers, and practitioners alike (Gorton, Alston, & Snowden, 2007). Leadership has been

defined as:

The process whereby one individual influences others toward the attainment of

defined group or organizational goals (Greenberg, 2011 p. 447).

Influencing and facilitating individual and collective efforts to accomplish shared

objectives (Yukl, 2012, p. 66).

Influencing the behavior of other people (Owens & Valesky, 2011).

Capturing attention and motivating people to follow your way by influencing others

to accomplish organizational goals (Perkins & Arvinen-Muondo, 2013).

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The ability to persuade others willingly to behave differently. It is the process of

influencing people – getting them to do their best to achieve a desired result. It

involves developing and communicating a vision for the future, motivating people,

and securing their engagement (Armstrong, 2012).

A process that involves influence, occurs in a group context, and involves goal

attainment (Western, 2008).

Leadership has evolved into a bedrock concept for organizations, leaders, and

researchers. Despite the organizational, social, or cultural context, leadership is found to be a

fundamental influence when it comes to politics, sports, and many other activities (Yukl, 2006,

2013). According to Gilley, Dixon, and Gilley (2008), leadership is the driving force for

organizational change as well as innovation. A renowned research study on 43 of America’s

best-run companies found excellent and successful companies also had a strong leader (Peters &

Waterman, 1984). Correspondingly years later, the recognized work of Collins (2001) found

good-to-great companies had Level 5 Leadership transparent in the organization. Level 5

leadership is the highest level of hierarchy executive capabilities that Collins (2001) found in his

comprehensive research study. “This level of leadership builds enduring greatness through a

paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will” (Collins, 2001, p. 20). Essentially,

this coined Level 5 Leadership embodies all five levels: highly capable individual, contributing

team member, competent manager, effective leader, and executive. The companies in this

seminal research study were found to have Level 5 Leadership. Level 5 Leadership is also noted

as (humility + will = Level 5). Even more simply put, it is a specific style of a leader/leadership

defined by Collin (2001). This type of leadership style was shown to significantly impact

organizations. Level 5 Leadership was found to be an impactful factor in the innumerable

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organizations that were being studied. In 2010, The Work Foundation published The Principles

of Outstanding Leadership, the report stated outstanding leaders do have significantly different

underpinning beliefs about how things should be approached, thus impacting the organization

(Lawson & Cox, 2010). Leadership matters as it permeates into a multitude of organizational

and individual dimensions. Research literature on leadership has found a litany of factors; both at

the micro and macro level, which are affected by this organizational behavior (see Table 5).

Table 5

Leadership Effects

Factor Source

Organizational success Bennis (2003)

Job satisfaction Xiao-Dong, Jian An, & Xiao-Yan (2013); Yafang (2011)

Team performance Yukl (2012)

Organizational performance Choudhary, Akhtar, & Zaheer (2013); Yukl (2012)

Organizational commitment Leroy, Palanski, & Simons (2012)

Job performance Xiao-Dong et al. (2013)

Organizational climate Mathisen, Einarsen, & Mykletun (2012)

Employee absenteeism Mayfield & Mayfield (2009)

Work role performance Leroy et al. (2012)

Employee stress Lopez, Green, Carmody-Bubb, & Kodatt (2011)

Creativity Zhang & Bartol (2010)

Organizational change Boga & Ensari (2009); Fullan (2007); Seo et al. (2012)

Organizational effectiveness Savage-Austin & Honeycutt (2011)

Organizational culture Mumford, Scott, Gaddis, & Strange (2002)

Organizational development Noruzy, Dalfard, Azhdari, Nazari-Shirkouhi, & Rezazadeh (2013)

Organizational structure Ghiselli & Siegel (1972)

Organizational design Lorsch (1977)

While leadership spans across the organizational behavior spectrum, it also affects the

way people are led. No matter the type of organization, leadership itself plays a significant role

in creating the success of the organization (Collins, 2001; Collins & Hansen, 2011). The

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leadership style is a determinant for the way in which individuals behave, communicate, adjust,

and respond within the organization (Darling & Heller, 2012). Val and Kemp (2012) emphasize

a leader has the ability to choose from the various leadership styles and then apply them

appropriately to the group in which they lead. Over decades of time, leadership research has

ascertained a gamut of leadership styles (see Table 6).

Table 6

Leadership Styles

Various Leadership Styles

Action-centered

Adaptive

Affiliative

Authentic

Authoritarian

Autocratic

Charismatic

Civic

Coaching

Coercive

Collective

Clinical

Command and Control

Connected

Contingency

Cross-cultural

Democratic

Delegative

Deserter

Dictatorial

Distributive

Emergent

Empowering

Exchange

Expert

Feminized

Focused

Free Reign

Human-oriented

Innovative

Laissez-Faire

Matriarchal

Missionary Moral

Motivational

Pace Setter

Paternalistic

Participative

Post-modern

Post-heroic

Primal emotional

Principle-based

Principle-centered

Relational

Servant

Situational

Spiritual

Strategic

Task-oriented

Team

Technical

Thought

Transactional

Transformational

Valued-based

Visionary

Determining the type of leadership style that meshes with the organization is crucial.

McConnell (1982) contentiously surmises there is no style of leadership that can be considered

wrong; however, effectiveness is derived when the leader utilizes the leadership style that is

values-centered and works with the employees (Niewenhous, 2003). Leadership is a people

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business. The ability to understand the various leadership styles and how the styles impact

organizational behavior is pivotal.

Leadership itself has been found to have a significant effect on various facets of an

organization. The style of leadership also has been found to have a considerable impact on the

fabric of the organization. At the epicenter of organizational success, performance, efficiency,

and effectiveness is the leader. So what traits, characteristics, behaviors, and qualities are found

in a great leader? To improve organizational behavior great leaders invoke an alchemy of great

vision (Peters & Waterman, 1984); demonstrate a triad of core behaviors: fanatic discipline,

productive paranoia, empirical creativity, and a driving force of Level 5 Leadership ambition

(Collins & Hansen, 2011); exhibit supportiveness, assuredness, and preciseness when

communicating (De Vries, Bakker-Pieper, & Oostenveld, 2010); use failure as a wake-up call

(Snyder, 2013); embody Level 5 Leadership (Collins, 2001); and think and act systematically

(Lawson & Cox, 2010). Equally important, great leaders are found to be strategic thinkers,

exceptional communicators, and masters in the leadership skill area of emotional intelligence

(Voisin, 2011). Kouzes and Posner (2013) found great leaders model the way, inspire a shared

vision, challenge the process, enable others to act, and encourage the heart. Gilley et al. (2008)

assert great leaders are able to appropriately communicate and motivate others. A foundational

research analysis by John Adair in 1973 revealed three essential roles of a leader: define the task,

achieve the task, and maintain effective relationships. Armstrong (2012) purported great leaders

are capable of flexing their leadership style to meet the demands of the situation. Leaders are

particularly skillful at fostering group collaboration and promoting efficacy in goal attainment

(Ruggieri & Abbate, 2013).

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The effect of a leader on an organization and its people abound. Leadership improves the

performance of individuals, teams, and the organization as a whole (Greenberg, 2011). A vast

wealth of research also indicates defined traits, characteristics, behaviors, and qualities that are

found in great leaders. Higgs and Rowland (2005) confirm leadership behavior alone is

responsible for almost 50% of the difference between change success and failure in an

organization. Leadership is impactful in a multidimensional way. In spite of all the adulation

towards leadership, the work of Pfeffer and Sutton (2006) make a thought-provoking assertion,

“Evidence indicates that leaders can and do make an important difference in organizational and

group performance, although the effects are not as large as usually assumed nor as important as

many other factors” (p. 194). Leadership is a critical dynamic; however, it is not the sole

variable for organizational success performance, efficiency, and effectiveness. Conversely,

attention to leadership is valuable however it is not the sole panacea. As Snyder (2013)

expounds:

Leadership can be learned. It’s an observable pattern of practices and behaviors and a

definable set of skills and abilities. And any skill can be learned, strengthened, honed,

and enhanced. What’s required, however is the willingness to become better. No matter

how much skill or talent you have, if you’re not willing to improve or interested in being

better than you are today, then no amount of coaching or no amount of practice is going

to make a difference. (p. 7)

Leadership changes people’s behavior (Kotter & Cohen, 2002). Markman (2012)

purports if you change habits, you change thinking. When thinking is changed, behavior is

changed (Greenberger & Padesky, 1995), and when behavior is changed, human performance

improves (Heath & Heath, 2010). As Buckingham and Vosburgh (2001) assert, a leader aims to

elevate the people they lead by recognizing talent and capitalizing on the talent through strength-

building, all the while being cognizant of the individual’s natural talents. For as research

confirms, the behavior of an administrator is a determinant of organizational performance (Child,

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1974). Taking everything into account, the ultimate act of leadership is the institutionalizing of a

leadership-centered culture in the organization (Kotter, 1990b).

Concluding, micro organizational behavior research on stress, job satisfaction, creativity,

and leadership revealed countless findings that impact individual and organizational

performance. Findings point out various effects that emerge from each micro organizational

behavior. Literature reveals how micro organizational behavior influences human behavior at

multiple levels. Empirical research substantiates when micro organizational behaviors are

impacted, so too are the overall organizational dynamics. Looking at things at a more finite level

within an organization is micro organizational behavior; however, the effect on the organization

is far-reaching. While stress, job satisfaction, creativity, and leadership play a salient role in

organizational and individual performance; correspondingly, an immense volume of macro

organizational behavior research indicates organizational structure, organizational design,

organizational change, and organizational development are catalysts behind the augmentation of

both individual and organizational performance levels (Greenberg, 2011; Hitt et al., 2011;

Nelson & Quick, 2009; Robbins & Judge, 2012; Wagner & Hollenbeck, 2005).

Macro Organizational Behavior

Macro organizational behavior has also been extensively researched. As pivotal as micro

organizational behavior has been reviewed, macro organizational behavior takes an analogous

role. Researchers acknowledge macro organizational behavior to be a compelling dynamic that

improves both organizational and individual performance (Greenberg, 2011; Miles, 1980;

Robbins & Judge, 2014). Pfeffer (1991) describes macro organizational behavior to be the social

structures of the organization. Macro organizational behaviors are found to affect the

performance of the entire organization (Colquitt et al., 2009; Robbins & Judge, 2012). Tosi and

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Abolafia (1992) add that macro organizational behaviors include the behaviors of the entire

organization that focus on the group or organization as a whole. With that in mind, based upon

this empirical research study, there were four macro organizational behaviors considered—

organizational structure, organizational design, organizational change, and organizational

development. The purpose of this section in the literature review is to accentuate the seminal

impact that macro organizational behavior has on individual and organizational performance. It

should be noted when looking through the lens of macro organizational behavior,

quintessentially, it is taking a step back and looking at the organization as a whole.

Organizational Structure

Research devoted to the intricacy of organizations reveals organizations as complex (P.

Allen, Maguire, & McKelvey, 2011; Etzioni, 1975; Hall, 1995; Lissack & Gunz, 1999;

McMillan, 2004; Salas, Goodwin, & Burke, 2009). Research indicates organizational structure

to be the formal system for increasing effectiveness, bolstering the management of

organizational behavior, and motivating people to achieve the organizational goals (G. R. Jones,

2004). As Duncan (1979) claims, the structure of an organization integrates organizational

behavior so that it is synchronized, specifically providing a channel of communication through

which information flows. Moreover, organizational structure must be understood in the context

of how the organization will compete, because organizational structure can be leveraged to serve

as a competitive advantage (Noe, 2010). When done correctly, organizational structure can

reduce the level of organizational complexity.

Precisely, what is organizational structure? Hitt et al. (2011) defines organizational

structure “to be the work roles and authority relationships that influence behavior in an

organization” (p. 443). Organizational structure is the way in which individuals and groups are

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arranged with respect to the task they perform (Greenberg, 2011, p. 517). According to

Nahavandi and Malekzadeh (1999), organizational structure is delineated as the way in which

people are organized in an attempt to achieve the organization’s mission. Similarly,

organizational structure is the pattern of interaction and coordination that links technology, tasks,

and people together (Duncan, 1979). Organizational structure has also been branded as the

policies, procedures, systems, relationships, and activities within an organization (American

Institute of Certified Public Accountants., 1991). The American Institute of Certified Public

Accountants go on to delineate organizational structure as the formal and informal structures that

recognize reporting relationships, responsibilities, and authorities in the organization, while the

information structure is that which reflects actual day-to-day operations (organization’s

management, personnel, and communication patterns). Conversely, albeit clearly transparent at

times, organizational structure is also purported to be an abstract concept that is considered a

dimension in an organization that people cannot see (Greenberg, 2011).

Delving deeper, Robbins (1983, 1987) recognizes organizational structure to be

composed of three components: complexity, formalization, and centralization; however, it should

also be noted that Blackburn and Cummings (1982) maintain these three components are not

universal but are generally agreed upon. The three underpinnings, to some extent, will be

transparent within any given organization (see Table 7). The amount of complexity,

formalization, and centralization permeating the given organization will be indicative of the type

of organizational structure.

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Table 7

Organizational Structure – 3 Key Components

Component Definition

1. Complexity Degree of differentiation that is present within an organization

2. Formalization Degree to which jobs within an organization are standardized

3. Centralization degree to which decision making is concentrated at a focal point in the

organization

Note. Robbins (1983, 1987)

Complexity, formalization, and centralization are cornerstones of organizational

structure. Each aspect affects the organization in different capacities. Bearing that in mind,

Figure 1 illustrates how over time research has educed an array of organizational structure types;

whereas Table 8 shows the different structural variations that embody differing scopes of

complexity, formalization, and centralization. Each structure type has its uniqueness. Each

structure offers a different element to the organization and its stakeholders. In the same vein,

each organizational structure will offer a different degree of complexity, formalization, and

centralization based on the structure type.

Different organizational structures produce significant differences in performance (Carzo

& Yanouzas, 1969). Correspondingly, the type of organizational structure influences the

hierarchy of the organization. The two most common organizational hierarchies are flat structure

and tall structure (see Figure 2). Depending on the particular hierarchy, organizations and its

people will experience disparate dimensions. Table 9 depicts the dimension contrasts of a flat

structure verse a tall structure.

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Organizational Structure Types

Bureaucratic Divisional Functional Line Matrix Network Pre-

bureaucratic Post-

bureacratic Team Virtual

Figure 1. Organizational structure types

Table 8

Organizational Structure Types

Type Definition

Bureaucratic - Typically a large organizational size, highly specialized, hierarchically

structured, heavily formalized, centralized authority (Astley, 1985)

Divisional - Arranges people by divisions, markets, geographical areas (G. R. Jones, 2013)

Functional - Organizes people by function such as production department, marketing

department, human resources department, accounting and etc. (G. R. Jones,

2013)

Line - People are arranged through informal environments where decision-makers

interact directly with their subordinates and decisions are implemented

expeditiously (Greenberg, 2011)

Matrix - Employees are grouped by both function and product; required to report to

both a functional manager as well as a product manager (Greenberg, 2011)

Network - Managers are organized, coordinated, and controlled by electronic means;

primary concerned with outsourcing jobs (G. R. Jones, 2013)

Pre-

bureaucratic -

Lack standardization of tasks, totally centralized, leader typically makes all

key decisions (Torbert, 1974)

Post-

bureaucratic -

Consensus model, network rather than hierarchy, decisions are based on

dialogue and consensus rather than authority and command (Heckscher &

Donnellon, 1994)

Team - Individuals are organized in a team by interdependent individuals bound by a

collective aim; such as problem-solving groups, quality circles, process

improvement groups, task-forces, committees, and project groups (Glassop,

2002)

Virtual - A collection of geographically distributed, functionally and/or culturally

diverse entities that are collaboratively linked by electronic types of

communication that operate as an organization without walls (Desanctis &

Monge, 1999)

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President

Manager

Worker Worker Worker Worker

Manager

Worker Worker Worker Worker

Manager

Worker Worker Worker Worker

Manager

Worker Worker Worker Worker

Flat Organization

Tall Organization

Figure 2. Flat organization and tall organization

President

Vice President

Director

Specialist

Worker Worker

Specialist

Worker Worker

Director

Specialist

Worker Worker

Specialist

Worker Worker

Vice President

Director

Specialist

Worker Worker

Specialist

Worker Worker

Director

Specialist

Worker Worker

Specialist

Worker Worker

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Table 9

Organization Structure – Tall vs. Flat Organizations

Tall Flat

Narrow span of control

Tall hierarchy

Centralization

Chain of command is large

Limited autonomy

Supervise less people directly

Limited decision-making

Many levels of management

Job specialization

Close supervisory control

Difficulty with change

Wide span of control

Flat hierarchy

Decentralization

Chain of command is small

Board autonomy

Supervise more people directly

Decision-making capabilities

Few levels of management

Individual initiative and responsibility

Loose supervisory control

React quicker to change

Note. Ghiselli & Siegel (1972); Greenberg (2011); Noe (2014); Porter & Siegel (1965)

The chosen organizational structure type dictates the organizational hierarchy, which in

turn impacts various dimensions within the organization (Noe, 2014). As earlier noted, the

assertion by Greenberg (2011) acknowledges that organizational structure is made up of the seen

and unseen dimensions that occur as a result of this macro organizational behavior. Given that,

Table 10 shows the various dimensions within an organization that can be impacted as a result of

organizational structure.

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Table 10

Organizational Structure – Dimensions Impacted

Dimensions which are impacted by organizational structure

Centralization

Communication flow

Coordination

Decentralization

Departmentalization

Division of labor

Duties

Formalization

Hierarchy of authority

Information flow

Line positions

Power

Span of control

Staff positions

Reporting relationships

Responsibilities

Rights

Roles

Note. Greenberg (2011); Hitt et al. (2011); Kortmann (2012); Nahavandi & Malekzadeh (1999);

Nelson & Quick (2011); Scott (1975)

Putting it together, organizational structure affects the organization in two significant

ways: (a) provides the foundation on which the operating procedures and routines of the

organization rest; and (b) ascertains which individuals get to participate in the decision-making

process (Jacobides, 2007). With that in mind, each organization is structured in different ways

based upon the organization’s objective; by the same token, the selected structure is indicative of

the means in which the organization operates and performs. Thus far, much attention has been

made to the delineation of organizational structure; however, there is also compelling literature

that supports the importance and impact of this particular macro organizational behavior.

Organizational structure has a cascading effect that benefits organizations in a myriad of

ways. Over time research has found organizational structure to facilitate the flow of information

in an organization to reduce the uncertainty in decision making (Cushway & Lodge, 1993;

Duncan, 1979), impact the perceptions of fairness and organizational justice in the workplace

(Marjani & Ardahaey, 2012; Schminke, Cropanzano, & Rupp, 2002), influence organizational

innovation and organizational learning (Shin-Tien & Bao-Guang, 2012), affect organizational

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behavior (Rahmati, Darouian, & Ahmadinia, 2012); impact job satisfaction and organizational

commitment in the workplace (Katsikea, Theodosiou, Perdikis, & Kehagias, 2011; Willem,

Buelens, & De Jonghe, 2007); explain how resources are allocated and managed (Cushway &

Lodge, 1993); and enhance knowledge sharing in organizations (Willem & Buelens, 2009). All

in all, organizational structure impacts both the individual and organization in a plethora of

unforeseen or intended ways. Thus, recognizing how organizational structure can be

strategically leveraged to improve organizational and individual performance can be quite

advantageous.

To gain a competitive edge, research underscores factors that need to be taken into

account when selecting an organizational structure. How an organization is structured is

indicative of the size, history, people, processes, geography, technology, market, and even

customers of the organization (Child, 1973; Cushway & Lodge, 1993). For that reason,

consideration should be given to the internal and external variables. As Cushway and Lodge

(1993) purport, despite good organizational structure being in place, even the best of structures

will not work well if people are not properly trained or appropriately motivated. In fact, different

organizational structures cause people to behave in different ways; ergo, successful organizations

are able to strike the appropriate balance between organic and mechanistic structures (Jones,

2004) [refer to Organizational Design section for a deeper understanding regarding organic and

mechanistic]. Conversely, feckless organizational structures are found to yield poor motivation

and morale, ineffective decision making, lack of control, poor communication, and inefficiency

(Cushway & Lodge, 1993). Organizational structure has been found to have a substantial impact

on the dynamics of the organization as well as its stakeholders. Leadership effectiveness is

found to be impacted by organizational structure (Walter & Bruch, 2010). All things considered,

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a factor certainly important to leaders is the notion that organizational structure needs to fit one

of or more contingences (i.e., environmental uncertainty, strategy, and size) to achieve high

performance (Qiu, Donaldson, & Luo, 2012).

In summary, empirical research confirms organization structure to be a much more

decisive organizational behavior than generally credited. In spite of the complexity of

organizations, evidence has shown that organizational structure provides the desired formal

configuration. The type of organizational structure and hierarchy is found to embody the fabric

of an organization significantly. So much so that organizational structure impacts organizational

behavior which in turn impacts organizational effectiveness (DeGroot & Brownlee, 2006).

While in the same vein, the structural dimensions of organizational structure have been found to

have a conceptual relationship with attitudes and behavior in an organization (James & Jones,

1976); thus, bleeding into the organizational climate which is found to be directly impacted by

organizational structure (Lawler, Hall, & Oldham, 1974). Despite all the cited effects derived

from organizational structure, the foremost purpose of organization structure is to ensure the

organization is designed in a manner to best achieve its goals and objectives (Cushway & Lodge,

1993). As Nordin, Halib, and Ghazali (2011) describe, organizational structure is the framework

of an organization that significantly impacts the flow of communication and ideas. Thereupon,

the ideal organizational structure is the one that sustains effective responses to the contingencies

or problems the organization encounters (G. R. Jones, 2004; P. R. Lawrence & Lorsch, 1967b;

Noe, 2010). Placing organizational structure in the forefront is vital. Inattention to the impact of

organizational structure can be catastrophic. The structure of an organization serves as a

foundational mechanism that will either promote change or make it difficult to prosper

(McShane & Von Glinow, 2008).

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Organizational Design

Organizational behavior is a result of organizational design (G. R. Jones, 2004).

Organizational design is considered to have a forceful and a direct impact on an organization’s

performance (Lin, 2000). According to McCaskey (1974), designing a human social

organization is extremely complicated; the design of a human social organization can never be

perfect or final; and the design is intended to devise a complex set of trade-offs in a field of

changing people, environments, and values. The goal of any leader should be to develop and

implement an organizational design that aligns with different elements of strategy, task, and

individuals within the organization (Nadler & Tushman, 1988). Robbins (1987) purports

organizational design ought to be concentrated on the constructing or changing of the

organization’s structure to achieve the organization’s goals. Organizational design has important

implications as it allows for an organization to deal with various contingencies, manage

diversity, generate new ideas, control its environment, and motivate employees (G. R. Jones,

2004).

To improve both organizational and individual performance an understanding of

organizational design is necessary. Organizational design is the process of orchestrating the

structural elements (organizational structure) in the most effective and efficient manner (Daft,

2007). Similarly, Greenberg (2011) defines organizational design as “the process of

coordinating the structural elements of organizations in the most appropriate manner” (p. 529).

According to G. R. Jones (2004), organizational design is the process by which leaders of an

organization select and manage the aspects of the organizational structure and culture to control

activities in the organization necessary to achieve its goals. Indispensably important is the

notion that organizations operate in an ever-changing environment, thus their own organizational

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49

design must be flexible because organizations that are either poorly designed or unyielding

cannot survive (Greenberg, 2011).

Organizational design is considered the creative process used for designing and aligning

features of an organization to reach optimal efficiency and effectiveness (Hinrichs, 2009).

Nadler and Tushman (1988) avow decisions about formal organizational arrangements, formal

structures, and formal processes are the cornerstones for organizational design. Hinrichs (2009)

suggests when planning organizational design, there are common elements that should be

considered in the design process: people, processes, systems, structures, and culture.

Organizational design has multiple designs; however, there are two commonly identified—

mechanistic design and organic design. Both Table 11 and Figure 3 depict the two

organizational designs. Each representation underscores how the design can alter individual and

organizational dynamics. As Greenberg (2013) points out, while each design takes on a different

connotation, each design lends itself to the improvement of organizational performance,

productivity, and efficiency. Figure 3 expresses a deeper contrast of these two designs.

Table 11

Mechanistic vs. Organic

Dimension Mechanistic Organic

Stability Change is improbable Change is expected

Specialization Many specialists Many generalists

Formal rules Unyielding rules Substantial flexibility

Authority Centralized, vested in a few top

people

Decentralized, diffused throughout

the organization

Note. Greenberg, 2011, p. 532

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Figure 3. Mechanistic and organic characteristics. Source: T. Burns & Stalker (1961); P. S.

Lewis & Fandt (1989); McCaskey (1974)

Both the mechanistic and organic designs provide leaders with advantages and

disadvantages based upon the type of organization. As P. S. Lewis and Fandt (1989) mentioned,

most managers or leaders cannot control the design of the organization, however they often have

some control over their departments/teams; thus it is advantageous to create the

departments/teams that shoulder characteristics of the organic design. However, the most

effective design (mechanistic or organic) is the one in which the group, unit, department, or

individual is best structured to match the appropriate type of task required within the

organization (Morse & Lorsch, 1970). It is crucial that leaders have an informed

Mechanistic Organic

Rigid Structure Flexible Structure

Vertical Lines of Communication Vertical & Horizontal Lines of Communication

Closed Structure Open Structure

Low Task Uncertainty High Task Uncertainty

Structured Unstructured

High Job Specialization

Decision-making Centralized

Roles Clearly Defined

Low Job Specialization

Decision-making Decentralized

Roles Continually Redefined

System is most effective for

organizations that operate in stable

and highly predictable

environments

System is more effective for organizations that

operate in rapidly changing and unpredictable

environments

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conceptualization of the implications of organizational design. Specifically, because

management fiascoes are often the results of the failure to appropriately utilize the systemic

nature of organizational design (Rivkin & Siggelkow, 2003).

Although mechanistic and organic are considered two primary approaches, literature has

also identified other types of designs. Table 12 shows Henry Mintzberg’s five acclaimed distinct

organizational design configurations which embody their own unique set of strengths and

weaknesses.

Table 12

Montzberg’s Five Organizational Design Configurations

Characteristics Simple

Structure

Machine

Bureaucracy

Professional

Bureaucracy

Divisional

Structure

Adhocracy

Specialization Low High

functional

High social High functional High social

Formalization Low High Low High within

divisions

Low

Centralization High High Low Limited

decentralization

Low

Environment Simple and

Dynamic

Simple and

stable

Complex and

stable

Simple and

stable

Complex

and

dynamic

General

structural

classification

Organic Mechanistic Mechanistic Mechanistic Organic

Configurations Defined as:

Simple Structure Simple, informal, authority centralized to a single person

Machine bureaucracy Highly complex, formal environment with clear lines of authority

Professional bureaucracy Complex, decision making is entrusted in the hands of professionals

Divisional structure Large, formal organizations with clear division of labor

Adhocracy Simple, informal, with decentralized authority

Note. Greenberg (2011); Mintzberg (1983, 2009); Robbins (1987)

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Organizational design is categorized into two theoretical organizational design

approaches: classical organizational theory and neoclassical organizational theory. As shown in

Table 13, there are distinct contrasts between the two schemas, yet each design yields improved

individual and organizational performance.

Table 13

Classical and Neoclassical Organization Design

Classical Neoclassical

Shoulders the notion that there is a single best

way to design organizations

Posits that economical effectiveness is not the

only objective of organizational structure but

also employee satisfaction

Characteristics:

Rigid

Tall hierarchy

Narrow span of control

Close control over subordinates

Centralization

Characteristics:

Autonomy

Flat hierarchy

Wide span of control

Loose control over subordinates

Decentralization

Note. Daft (2010); Thompson, & Vroom (1971)

Organizational design is more than just an organizational framework; the type of

organizational arrangement has significant impact on both the individual and organization.

Leaders should be concerned about organizational design because it is an essential task for

leadership (Galbraith, 2002). Research findings suggest organizational design enmeshes itself

into the fabric of the organization by the following: enhancing innovation (Mosurović & Kutlača,

2011; Tushman, Smith, Wood, Westerman, & O’Reilly, 2010); improving an organization’s

competitive advantage (Galbraith, 2002); supporting organizational development (Bate, Khan, &

Pye, 2000); impacting absenteeism and increasing job satisfaction (Kass, Vodanovich, &

Callender, 2001); developing human capital (Mobrman, 2007); boosting job commitment

(Jaskyte, 2003); bolstering organizational change (Labianca, Gray, & Brass, 2000); influencing

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creativity (Dong, Hui, & Loi, 2012); affecting leadership behaviors (Bass, Waldman, Avolio, &

Bebb, 1987); exacerbating or mitigating stress (Diamond & Allcorn, 1985); and assisting with

existing organizational structure or redesigning a new one (Hax & Majluf, 1981). By

ascertaining what the structure and processes of an organization will be, organizational design

impacts a multitude of dynamics within an organization.

In closing, the contingency approach to organizational design acknowledges there is no

one specific or best approach to organizational design but rather the ideal design is the design

that best fits with the existing environmental conditions which the organization experiences

(Greenberg, 2011). Organizational design serves as the conduit for the flow of information,

resources, and support within the organization; therefore strongly determining the power-holders

in the organization (Myers, 1996). The design of the organization should respond to the internal

capabilities, environment, and change while at the same time maintaining a sense of stability,

clarity, and balance (Hinrichs, 2009). Conversely, Duncan (1979) describes the external

environment as the sum of all the contingent forces (i.e., sociopolitical, technological,

economical, geographical, general work conditions, and competition) that encroach upon an

organization and which must be dealt with effectively if the organization is to thrive.

Furthermore, Greenberg (2013) asserts the ideal design of an organization is the organizational

design that is most appropriate to the numerous circumstances and contexts in which the

organization operates. The management style and approach used by leadership to implement and

support the organizational structure via organizational design has an impactful effect on both the

individual and organization. As Nadler and Tushman (1988) attest, organizational effectiveness

is derived from the optimal amalgamation of organizational design and organizational structure.

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Organizational Change

Organizational change is a complex phenomenon, ubiquitous, fuzzy and unexpectedly

instigated (Ahearne, Lam, Mathieu, & Bolander, 2010; Collins, 2001; Mariana & Violeta, 2011).

This macro organizational behavior affects the organization and people in a number of ways such

as stress and productivity (Halkos & Dimitrios, 2012); job performance (Ussahawanitchakit &

Sumritsakun, 2008); job satisfaction (Bryson, Barth, & Dale-Olsen, 2013); organizational

effectiveness (S. Hanson, 2013); creativity (Amabile & Conti, 1999); leadership (Fullan, 2002);

organizational commitment (Fedor, Caldwell, & Herold, 2006); organizational culture

(Kavanagh & Ashkanasy, 2006); organizational climate (Drzensky, Egold, & van Dick, 2012),

and organizational design (Gresov, Haveman, & Oliva, 1993). Considering this, organizational

change is inherent thus almost all organizations will change in one way or another in order to

survive (Greenberg, 2011). Change is so crucial that failure to understand the need for change or

to initiate change threatens the performance or even the survival of the organization (Hill &

Rothaermel, 2003). Organizational change spans a broad spectrum, impacting the organization

and its people in a plethora of ways. While much attention to this macro organizational behavior

has been directed, subsequently it has also resulted in a number of ways in which organizational

change has been defined (see Table 14).

Defining organizational change is one thing; and recognizing the effects of organizational

change is another. Change literature reveals a 50-90% failure rate in organizational change

efforts (Andrew & Sirkin, 2003; Burnes, 2009; Greenberg, 2011; Kotter, 1995). Equally

compelling is the fact that only 2% of organizational change ventures even last as long as 50

years, while 62% of new ventures fail to even make it five years (Nystorm & Starbuck, 1984).

Although literature discourse and research findings point to the importance of change efforts,

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change in itself is undoubtedly arduous and compulsory for survival. Undeniably so, Dixon and

Day (2010) found the failure to change as the source of overall organizational failure. Whereas

the work of M. E. Smith (2002) disclosed 75% of change initiatives fail to even make an impact.

Despite the call or need for change, the success rate for change remains explicitly dismal leaving

leaders at the helm wondering the conceivability of doing organizational change effectively.

Table 14

Organizational Change

Definition Reference

Adaption of new ideas or behavior by an

organization.

Halkos & Dimitrios (2012)

Transformations in an organization’s structure,

technology, and/or people that is either planned or

unplanned.

Greenberg (2011)

Alterations of existing work routines and strategies

that affect a whole organization.

Herold, Fedor, Caldwell, & Liu (2008)

Change that is planned and directed toward the

achievement of specific new higher organizational

outcomes that involve the entire organization.

Owens & Valesky (2011)

Any alteration or modification to an organization’s

structures or processes.

Zorn, Christensen, & Cheney (1999)

Total organizational shifts in objectives, policies

and general modes of operation.

Shirley (1975)

Deliberate planned change in an organization’s

formal structure, system, processes or product-

market domain that is intended to improve the

organization.

Lines, Sáenz, & Aramburu (2011)

Organizations are branded by fixed rules, stringent policies, and unmalleable procedures

that often make organizational change all but impossible. As Conner (1998) attests, human

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resistance to change is a perfectly natural response. As indicated in the Table 15, change

receptiveness comes in a range of responses.

Table 15

Receptivity to Change

Negative Neutral Positive

Change contempt

Frustration

Change fatigue

Fear

Resistance

Passive acceptance

Change readiness

Ambivalence

Go-slow

Pro-innovation

Change

Commitment

Excitement

Participation

Note. “A critical analysis,” (2012)

Not only are there various responses to change, there are also many different types of

change. Each type of change comes in different sizes, different scopes, and different levels of

complexity (L. K. Lewis, 2011). Table 16 shows some of the various types of organizational

change.

At the epicenter of organizational change initiatives are the people in the organization

(Tetenbaum, 1998). As Dent and Goldberg (1999) point out, people do not resist change itself,

but rather the anticipated consequences or expected effects of the change (i.e. loss of pay, loss of

status, loss of comfort, or even loss of control). Moreover Armstrong-Stassen (2005) and S. A.

Lawrence and Callan (2011) attest that organizational change impacts employees because it

involves changes to role structures, increased workloads, altered work patterns, and often a sense

of job insecurity. The fear of the unknown alone is a powerful reason why individuals do not

change, or at least do not change expeditiously (Weeks, Roberts, Chonko, & Jones, 2004).

Resistance to change can have a catastrophic impact and influence on the attainment of an

organizational change effort (Van Dijk & Van Dick, 2009); therefore, helping employees

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through the change process is essential to the success of the organization (Bennett & Durkin,

2000).

Table 16

Organizational Change Types

Type of Change Source

Planned – deliberate, purposeful, and explicit; brought

about by purposeful efforts

Levy (1986); L. K. Lewis

(2011)

Unplanned – brought about by uncontrollable forces;

unexpected shifts in organization due to external

forces

Greenberg (2011); L. K.

Lewis (2011)

First-order – occurs within individuals, dyads, teams, groups,

and entire system; incremental; reversible;

temporary and limited departure from structural

coherence; discontinuous, driven by external

factors; insular and somewhat isolated from

overall organizational structure

Fox-Wolfgramm, Boal,

& Hunt (1998);

Takamine (2008); Weick

& Quinn (1999)

Second-order – radical change; major shifts involving many

different levels within organization; system itself

changes; continuous and perpetual; self-

initiating and far-reaching within the

organization; reorientation of leaving one

archetype to another; planned, deliberate and

strategically implemented

Levy (1986); Takamine

(2008)

Third-order – preparation for continuous change; affects the

entire system; process in which members of the

organization are given the opportunity to

transcend the schemata; transconceptual mode of

understanding

Bartunek & Moch

(1994); L. K. Lewis

(2011); Takamine (2008)

Discursive – relabeling a current practice without really doing

things differently

Zorn et al. (1999)

Emergent – ongoing accommodations, adaptations, and

alterations that produce fundamental change

without direct intentions to do so; change that

often goes unnoticed

Beer & Nohria (2000)

(continued)

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Type of Change Source

Contingency – a one best way for each approach that is based

upon the situational variable that it faces

Dunphy & Stace (1993)

Choice – ability to influence or manipulate contingencies

to align them with their preferred way of

working and their managerial style; high degree

of decision-making

Burnes (1996)

Continuous – sustainable, durable, and long-term assimilation

into the organization

Brännmark & Benn

(2012)

Discontinuous – single, abrupt, onetime event that takes place

through large, widely separated initiatives

Luecke (2003)

Incremental – successive, limited, and negotiated shifts that

occur increasingly and separately

Burnes (2009)

Smooth incremental – slow, systematic, and predictable at a constant

rate

By (2005)

Bumpy incremental – periods of lull time punctuated by speeding up

the pace of change

By (2005)

Crisis – Reactive approach driven by external factors and

fear of failure

Price & Chahal (2006)

According to O’Toole and Lawler (2006), organizations, more than ever, need research-

based knowledge about organizational change. When knowledge is generated it helps to

stimulate change (Mohrman & Lawler, 2012). Understanding organizational change can

especially aid decision-makers, leaders, or the like in the change process as well as prepare all

stakeholders for the change initiative. With that in mind, change does not happen overnight, but

rather the change process typically takes a considerable length of time, therefore to transform an

organization successfully, change should be an underpinning of the organization’s culture

(Kotter, 1995). A central driver to the success of a change effort is open communication from

the start of the change initiative (Burnes, 2009; McKay, Kuntz, & Näswall, 2013). Even more

so, employees invited to participate in the planning and implementation of the change are more

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likely to conceptualize the proposed change effort and accept the reasons for changes (Holt,

Armenakis, Feild, & Harris, 2007). Change readiness is an important element for successful and

effective organizational change (Pellettiere, 2006). For that reason, a strong focus towards

crafting a readiness for change message with employees can minimize resistance while at the

same time transforming employees into change agents during the change process (Neves, 2009);

bear in mind, an individual’s change readiness is one’s actual acceptance or adoption of the

change efforts at hand (Cunningham et al., 2002). Furthermore, although not surprisingly, a

well-planned change helps to ensure the change initiative is successfully implemented (Price &

Chahal, 2006). Successful implementation to organizational change is substantially contingent

on the level of organizational commitment to change (Ning & Jing, 2012). Change literature

finds that successful organizational change requires leadership (Nadler & Tushman, 1990). J. M.

Burns (1978) insists leaders are the impetus that causes change and movement in an

organization. Correspondingly, Clement (1994) avows leadership management, particularly top

management, is perhaps the most central element in a major organizational change effort.

According to Herold et al. (2008), the leader was found to be strongly related to the level of

change commitment held by the employees. The work of Seo et al. (2012) found leadership to

be directly related to an employee’s positive or negative reaction to organizational change.

Understanding the complexity of organizational change can help in the planning and

implementation process along with effective leadership at the helm.

There is much research positing the causes of successful and effective organizational

change; there is also literature on the various barriers to change efforts. As Montana and

Charnov (2000) attest, implementing change within an organization can lead to conflict, so much

so it can even hinder the change process. By and large research has generally cited three

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principle barriers to organizational change: lack of management visibility and support,

inadequate skills of management, and employee resistance (Jick & Peiperl, 2011). Failure of

organizational change is also found to be derived from the organization’s failure to match the

new strategic change effort to the organization-environment fit (Sastry, 1997). Hoag, Ritschard,

and Cooper (2002) found the failure of leaders to lead and manage the organization through the

change process creates a culture that is resistant to change, thus the obstacles encountered are the

effects of their own making. An increasing number of researchers are suggesting change efforts

are failing because change leaders are underestimating the central role that people play in the

change process (Armenakis, Harris, & Mossholder, 1993; Chung-Ming & Woodman, 1995;

George & Jones, 2001; Greenhalgh, Robert, MacFarlane, Bate, & Kyriakidou, 2004). Failure to

communicate change and the politics of change are catalysts of ineffective change efforts

(McClellan, 2011). Lines et al. (2011) state many organizations and their leaders fail to provide

an explanation for change, and if so, the explanation is so weak there is a lack of information

regarding the change efforts. Bryson et al. (2013) claim resistance, hostility, job anxiety, and

fear of those involved in the change process can thwart the change efforts. Whereas Gover and

Duxbury (2012) found social identities and intergroup dynamics to influence the perceptions that

individual and groups form about change, thus resulting as a barrier to change. Whatever the

obstruction for change may be, it is crucial that decision-makers, leaders, and change agents

recognize the potential impediments.

Lamentably, there are more factors that stifle change efforts from occurring. Change

fatigue, the perception that too much change is happening, affects organizational commitment,

exhaustion, stress, and turnover resulting in harmful change outcomes (Bernerth, Walker, &

Harris, 2011). Staren and Eckes (2013) believe the increasing restrictive regulations, policies,

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and bureaucracy that entrench organizations are the major barricades to change. The work of

Michel, Stegmaier, and Sonntag (2010) found procedural justice impacts change as it affects

employees’ organizational identification which directly influences one’s supportive attitudes,

values, and behaviors for change. Procedural justice is “people’s perceptions of the fairness of

procedures used to determine the outcomes they receive” (Greenberg, 2011 p. 39). The cultural

background of people, leadership style of the change leader, and the employee involvement in

the decision-making process are things to be considered which affect the change process (Pihlak

& Alas, 2012). Sadly, organizational change has been found to sometimes increase the

propensity for corruption, as change can be disruptive to existing formal and informal

organizational structures (K. D. Martin, Johnson, & Cullen, 2009). Change halts when there is a

failure to understand the fundamental nature of organizational cultural change (G. Martin &

Dowling, 1995). G. Martin and Dowling (1995) go on to openly state, “Mistakes in not

understanding the other person’s culture can be expensive and even life threatening” (p. 93).

Organizations comprise many different subcultures, and for that precise reason, change efforts

are unlikely to succeed when leaders only know one of the organization’s subcultures and plan

only changes according to that subculture (Kekale, Fecikova, & Kitaigorodskaia, 2004).

Whatever the cause for failed change, the fact remains that an organization’s ability to

change, or respond to its environment and/or environmental stimuli, is an important factor in the

organization’s ability to succeed. In response, Buono and Kerber (2010) claim there needs to be

a stronger emphasis on building organizational change capacity to enhance an organization’s

ability to navigate the array of changes successfully by responding to the changing

environmental conditions, and anticipating the shifting internal and external demands, pressures,

and societal conditions. Buono and Kerber (2010) explain building organizational change

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capacity entails a systematic approach to developing the organization in a way that reaches into

the heart of the people’s natural capacity to change by supporting and making it a basic part of

organizational life.

As noted earlier, there are many types of change, and the reaction to change may vary

based upon the individual. Factors that impact change were also noted. Distinctly, leadership

was found to be a pivotal influence in significantly helping or harming change efforts. While

much attention has been given to organizational change in itself, a variable to successful

effective change is the actual change management model often referred to as the strategic

planning process. The remainder of this section provides various processes for formulating,

implementing, and evaluating decisions in an effort to achieve successful and effective

organizational change. Over time a myriad of strategic planning processes/change management

models have been developed. Researchers have acknowledged these models to mitigate

resistance to change, provide a framework for change, and better ensure the change process is

successful (Price & Chahal, 2006; Shirley, 1975; Staren & Eckes, 2013). Table 17 illustrates

various strategic planning steps and change management models designed to bolster effective

change (more extensive models are provided in the appendices).

In summary, organizations have a competitive advantage when able to adapt to dynamic

environments (Greenwood & Hinings, 1996). Organizational change is hard to do, especially

when organizations are in constant flux (Kotter, 1990a). Nevertheless, the leaders of successful

organizations have been found to support change 94% of the time, whereas others supported

change 76% of the time (D. Smith, 1998). The success rate and sustainability of change is bleak.

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Table 17

Strategic Planning Process/Change Management Models

McKinsey7-S Framework Kotter’s Change Management Lewin’s Change

Management

Steps

1. Shared values

2. Strategy

3. Structure

4. Systems

5. Style

6. Staff

7. Skills

1. Establish a sense of urgency

2. Form a powerful guiding

coalition

3. Create a vision

4. Communicate vision

5. Empower others to act on

the vision

6. Plan for and create short-

term wins

7. Consolidate improvements

and produce still more

change

8. Institutionalize new

approaches

1. Unfreezing – recognize a

need for change

2. Changing – implement

the planned change

3. Freezing – accept newly

changed state

Peters & Waterman (1984) Kotter (1995, 1996, 2012) Lewin (1947)

Note. See Appendix C for a complete list.

Yet when organizational change is done correctly, the effect and impact can be astonishing in a

multiplicity of ways. People respond to change differently. There is not one type of change, but

rather a miscellany of change approaches that have different change intentions. Planning

change, reacting to change, initiating change, and institutionalizing change are inevitable if an

organization is to survive. While organizational change helps better understand the inherent

challenges that surround the implementation of change, it does not solely answer how a change

initiative affects its adaptation into an organization (Battilana & Casciaro, 2012). Nevertheless,

in order for change to take hold and be effective, organizations need to have a pronounced and

visible need for change, along with a clear widespread acceptance for change throughout the

organization (Armenakis et al., 1993). Despite poor performance serving as a goading causality

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for organizational change (Boeker, 1997), effective change leaders are those who actively

participate as learners by helping the organization improve, recognizing that effectiveness

motivates people to do more, and building a culture of collaboration (Fullan, 2011). For as

Collins and Hansen (2011) sagely proclaim, “For more difficult than implementing change is

figuring out what works, understanding why it works, grasping when to change, and knowing

when not to” (p. 134). Organizational change is not easy but the fruits of the labor are invaluable

to all stakeholders; seemingly to be the bedrock for improving individual and organizational

performance.

Organizational Development

In the 1970s organizational development (OD) was on an accelerating rise, showing up in

business firms, school systems, government agencies, religious institutions, and both

domestically as well as internationally (Raia, 1972). Decades later, OD has been found to be an

organizational behavior that enhances the effectiveness of an organization (Taute & Taute,

2012). Today, organizational development has morphed into many different strategies for

implementing planned organizational change, yet the keystone remains the same—an attempt to

produce some type of change in individual employees, work groups, and/or the entire

organization (Greenberg, 2011). Stevenson (2012) attests this macro organizational behavior is

the deliberate actions which are intended to promote the growth of an organization. Likewise,

Bennis (1969) surmises OD to be a complex educational strategy intended to change the beliefs,

attitudes, values, and structure of the organization to better adapt to new technologies,

challenges, markets, and the incessant rate of change itself. In the same vein, organizational

development does not just center exclusively on the individual or organization but rather the

symbiotic and synergistic relationship between the two (Kegan, 1971). All in all, organization

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development has been regarded as one of the most popular and widely used approaches for

implementing organizational change to improve efficiency and effectiveness (Waclawski &

Church, 2002). In the same way, Anderson (2010) asserts, “By learning about the field of

organizational development and the process by which it is conducted, you will be a more

effective change agent inside the organization to which you belong” (p. 2).

Similar to the previously discussed organizational behaviors, there are several definitions

in which organizational development has been delineated. Beckhard (1969) describes

organizational development as the application of knowledge, concepts, and research findings

about human behavior in the organization as it relates to planned change with the intent to

increase the organization’s effectiveness. OD has also been simply termed as the response to

change (Bennis, 1969). According to Marguiles (1973), organizational development is a

learning process that helps to determine the need for organizational changes, how to implement

changes, and ways to evaluate the outcomes. Whereas Ivancevich et al. (2008) succinctly

defined OD as” the process for preparing for and managing change in organizational settings” (p.

529). However more recently, Stevenson (2012) describes organizational development as,

“Helping people within organizations work together in ways that achieve the outcomes they

mutually seek” (p. 87). While Anderson (2010) defines organizational development as, “The

process of increasing organizational effectiveness and facilitating personal and organizational

change through the use of interventions driven by social and behavioral science knowledge” (p.

3). Despite the plethora of various OD definitions, the work of Egan (2002) affirmed a common

variable remains amidst organizational development—the process of increasing organizational

effectiveness (Egan, 2002). All things considered, it has been Beckhard’s (1969) delineation of

organizational development that has survived the test of time, “Organizational development is an

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effort (1) planned, (2) organization-wide, and (3) managed from the top to (4) increase

organization effectiveness and health through (5) planned interventions in the organization’s

‘process,’ using behavioral-science knowledge” (p. 9). However, for this research study, OD

will specifically be examined and defined as the planned organizational activities (particularly

professional development) provided for the growth of employees and the organization with the

aim to improve skills, actions, thinking, and/or processes to help the organization be more

efficient and effective.

While various definitions of organizational development were in the literature, there are

also countless ways in which organizational development affects the individual and organization.

Organizational development is, but not limited to, equipping individuals with the skills,

activities, tools, and methods needed to: help the organization be more efficient (Abu-Hamour,

2012), serve as the conduit for successful change in organizations (Marguiles, 1973), impact

organizational culture (Conceição & Altman, 2011), create more effective teams while also using

teams to intervene in organizational issues (Waclawski & Church, 2002), and promote and build

a learning capability within the organization (DiBella, 2000). Furthermore, Patten (1981)

avouches OD efforts augment teambuilding in organizations. Whereas Golembiewski (1990)

points out how OD has a crucial impact on stress, burnout, and strain. Whatever the effect may

be, the central theme of organizational development is the creating and managing of change in

order to yield higher performing organizations in which employees can grow and develop

(Anderson, 2010). Additionally important is the assertion that organizational development and

leadership development go hand-in-hand (Michael Quinn, 1999).

OD is aimed at helping facilitate change by more fully understanding how organizational

systems operate and interconnect. Correspondingly, OD empowers leaders and managers to

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employ systemic organization-wide efforts planned deliberately to increase the organization’s

effectiveness and/or efficiency. To bolster organizational development the work of Huffington,

Cole, and Brunning (1997) purport the objective of OD is to integrate more fully the needs of

individuals with the purpose or mission of their organization. In order to do so, Anderson (2010)

discloses core values that should be deep-rooted in organizational development: participation,

involvement, and empowerment; group and team dynamics emphasized; growth, development,

and learning put at the forefront; deliberate attention towards valuing the complete person; laser-

like focus on engaging in discourse and collaboration; and lastly, creating an authentic, open, and

trustworthy environment. Not only are leaders to keep organizational development values at the

forefront, in conjunction, the research of Kegan (1971) insists there are specific process goals

that OD programs ought to include. Table 18 outlines the specific process goals that OD

programs should encompass.

Table 18

Organizational Development Goals

Development Goals

Create an open climate

Increase self-control for organizational

members

Develop a problem-solving climate

Supplement authority of status with

competence in the organization

Increase self-direction for organizational

members

Build trust within the organization

Recognize organizational goal achievement

Ensure shared problem-solving

responsibilities

Reduce unneeded competition

Generate collaborative decision-making

Foster collaboration

Develop reward systems for both

organizational and individual goals

Increase a sense of ownership of the

organization and its objective

Recognize individual goal attainment

Note. Kegan (1971)

In addition, the work of Waclawski and Church (2002) purport three principles in

organizational development: (a) OD should be fundamentally a data-driven process, (b) OD

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should represent a total systems approach to organizational change, and (c) OD should be a

normative and humanistic values-based approach to organizational improvement. Bennis (1969)

and Kegan (1971) insisted OD ought to be an educational strategy using experienced-based

behavior in a way to accomplish a self-renewing organization. As Greenberg (2011)

underscores, effectiveness of OD techniques is contingent on the extent to which the values of

the OD align with the underlying values of the culture in which it is being used. Lastly,

acknowledging that OD is about changing people and organizations for continuous positive

growth and improvement; a ruminating caveat is the objectives of OD are not to dictate one

particular behavior but to support and provide more options to the members in the organization

concerning their behavior (Kegan, 1971).

Furthermore, Taute and Taute (2012) acknowledge seven major goals that emanate from

organizational development: (a) improved performance, (b) refined employees’ skills, (c)

prevention of managerial obsolescence, (d) increased organizational problem-solving, (e)

orientation for new employees, (f) preparation programs for promotion and managerial

succession, and lastly, (g) training given to improve organizational effectiveness and increase

personal growth for all employees. An important OD notion is the assertion by Nystrom and

Starbuck (1981) which suggests the survival of an organization hinges on the reciprocity

between individuals and the organization in its environment. Through effective organizational

development efforts, organizational learning and personal development processes and structures

can be successfully established.

Huffington et al. (1997) determined there are various ways of categorizing organizational

development interventions. As illustrated in Figure 4, the diagnosed problems show the way in

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which the organization reacts to OD. The mode of intervention specifies the methods that can be

used towards correction, and the focus of attention can span from a micro, meso, or macro effort.

Figure 4. Determining organization development interventions. Huffington et al., 1997;

Schmuck & Miles, 1971

Decades of research in the field of organizational development have resulted in a myriad

of OD interventions that immerse themselves in the fabric of organizations and its people. Table

19 catalogs, albeit not all, the various organizational development efforts that are used.

In closing, organizational development guides long-range efforts that enhance an

organization’s problem-solving capabilities and its ability to cope with external environmental

factors (French, 1969). Organizational development emerges when there is a change in the

Diagnosed Problems

Focus of Attention

Mode of Intervention

Organizational

Development

Goals, plans

Communication

Culture, climate

Leadership, authority

Problem-solving

Decision-making

Conflict or cooperation

Role definition

Other

Total organization

Intergroup (two or more)

Team or group

Dyad or triad

Role

Person

Training

Process consultation, coaching

Confrontation

Data feedback

Problem-solving

Plan making

OD task force establishment

Technostructural activity

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organization’s condition (Nystrom & Starbuck, 1981). As Taute and Taute (2012) suggest,

effective leadership and management can be the difference between OD success and OD failure.

Over time a plethora of organizational development interventions have been established to help

the organization become more efficient, effective, and deal with change. However, in order for

organizational development to be effective, it must be selective and leaders must realize it is not

the panacea for all organizational issues (Patten, 1981). Moreover, in the face of organizational

challenges and complexity OD has developed into an organization improvement strategy that

focuses on how the organization and people function, and how they can function better. In order

for organizational improvement to take place, organizational development becomes a necessity

when working through the process of planned change (Waclawski & Church, 2002).

Correspondingly, effective OD sustainability requires trust, learning, empowerment, buy-in, and

relational capacity as part of the core organizational strategy (B. B. Jones, Brazzel, & NTL

Institute for Applied Behavioral Science., 2006). Promoting change is about promoting and

building learning capability in organizations (DiBella, 2000), for the reason that organizational

learning is a fundamental objective of OD (B. B. Jones et al., 2006). Organizational

development is more than just an intervention for organizational enhancement; OD is an

organizational behavior that puts a laser-like emphasis on the improvement of its most valued

asset—people.

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Table 19

Organizational Development Types

Development Type Source

Employee Assistance Programs – EAPs target employees whose performance

shows a pattern of decline which is not readily explained by supervisory

observations of their job circumstances as well as those whose employees who are

aware of personal difficulties that may be affecting or may start to affect their

work lives.

Oher (1999), p. 61

Professional Development – a professional community of practice is formed of

individuals who come together to discuss common issues, share ideas, and learn

from each other through face to face interaction or virtually. The learners support

each other’s learning by collaboration, share practices, and perceptions in the

quest of their common interests and activities.

Schwartz & Bryan (1998)

Focus Group – a carefully planned discussion designed to obtain perceptions on a

defined area of interest in a permissive nonthreatening environment.

Waclawski & Church

(2002), p. 115

Process Consultation – a face-to-face interaction between the client and

consultant in which a set of activities are used to help the client to perceive,

understand, and act upon the organization’s environment.

Schein (1999)

Coaching – a one-on-one intervention which an individual works to improve a

specific personal, interpersonal, or skill area, or to take actions to reach a desired

future goal, working with a facilitator on the process of personal change.

Anderson (2010), p. 200

Team building – a method of improving the work relationships among employees

that have a positive contributing effect on accomplishment of tasks.

Patten (1981), p. 83

Management by Objective (MBO) – the practice in which the employee and

manager engage in a process of collaboratively crafting goals that will direct the

employee’s efforts and serve as the basis for evaluation by which the manager

provides performance feedback.

Drucker (1954)

Survey Feedback – questionnaires and interviews used to glean data and

information about issues concerning the organization with the intent of using the

feedback to plan organizational change.

Greenberg (2011)

360-Degree Feedback – an ongoing process of assessment, performance

evaluation, and discussion of performance with supervisors, subordinates, peers,

and others that include goal setting, creating development experiences, and

improving performance.

Tornow & London (1998)

Quality of Work Life (QWL) Programs – technique designed to improve

organizational functioning by humanizing the workplace, making it more

democratic by involving employees in the decision making process that affect

them on their job (i.e. work restructuring, quality circles).

Greenberg (2011)

In summary, research acknowledges findings that the four selected macro organizational

behaviors affect, influence, or enhance individual and organizational performance. Researchers

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of organizational design, organizational structure, organizational change, and organizational

development identified several causations that result from each macro organizational behavior.

Literature shows how macro organizational behavior influences organizational dynamics, which

in turn influences human behavior, resulting in the waning or improving of performance. Macro

organizational behavior has an effect on the organization, subsequently affecting the micro

organizational level. Furthermore, the four selected macro organizational behaviors for this

study are found to have an effect on organizational and individual performance.

As noted so far, research confirms both micro and macro organizational behavior as

significant conduits to organizational and individual performance. Each identified organizational

behavior in the study impacts performance in a singular way. Substantiated is the Bobbitt and

Behling (1981) assertion that organizational behavior literature does not provide any simple or

all-encompassing principles or laws on administration, thus there is no one ideal way because not

all methods are equally effective. However, contingency theory helps to explain how the

selected micro and macro organizational behaviors are affected by unpredictable variables

(Donaldson, 2001; Kast & Rosenzweig, 1973). Earlier noted was the averment that improved

performance comes from the ability to acclimatize to the ever-changing internal and external

factors (Colquitt et al., 2009; Hitt et al., 2006; Nahavandi & Malekzadeh, 1999; Nelson & Quick,

2011). To conceptualize and understand organizational behavior more fully as it relates to both

the organization and individual, the contingency theory is brought into discussion.

Contingency Theory

E. M. Hanson (2003) asserts that variability in needs and demands requires a variability

in organizational responses. The contingency approach recognizes that there is no best way to

manage an organization, motivate people, or even orchestrate change, thus becoming widely

accepted by behavioral scientists (More, 2006). Subsequently, the contingency theory has been

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used to guide leaders as they attempt to improve organizational performance in the workplace.

Using the contingency management model there are four key elements to be considered:

environmental driving forces, the individual, the organization, and the group or team within the

organization (More, 2006).

Although the contingency theory has served to augment organizational behavior research,

it has also been noted to have major problems with the measurement of its variables, specifically

the ambiguity of the environmental variable (Miner, 2007). The contingency theory has been

scrutinized for being more of a classification scheme rather than a true theoretical formulation

(Bowditch & Buono, 2001). As Moberg and Koch (1975) contend, there is a noticeable

indistinctness between contingency and non-contingency views. Donaldson (2001) purports

three problems arise from the contingency theory:

1. The theory is seemingly too static and does not do a sufficient job of explaining why

organizations move from a misfit (low performance) into a fit (high performance).

2. The theory is unclear as to how leaders would exactly ascertain which organizational

structures best fit with their contingencies.

3. The theory is questioned as to why organizations move from one contingency to

another if there are no performance gains from doing so.

Despite some caveats to the contingency theory, behavior scientists and researchers

continue to rely on the theory for ways to improve organizational performance (Donaldson,

2001; Ivancevich et al., 2008; Robbins & Judge, 2007). Wilson (2001) suggests the contingency

variables most often used are leader’s personal characteristics, employee’s personal

characteristics, the group’s characteristics, and the structure of the organization. Owens and

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Valesky (2011) suggest three basic propositions that bolster the contingency approach to

organizational behavior in the educational setting:

(1) There is no best universal way to organize and administer school districts or schools;

(2) Not all ways of organizing and administering are equally effective in a given

situation: Effectiveness is contingent upon appropriateness of the design or style to

the situation;

(3) The selection of organizational design and administrative style should be based on

careful analysis of significant contingencies in the situation. (p. 105)

The contingency theory is the middle ground that there are universal principles of

organization and management and that each organization is uniquely different, therefore calling

for each situation to be analyzed individually (Kast & Rosenzweig, 1973).

The contingency theory offers a scaffold to the internal and external contingencies that

organizations encounter on a daily basis. Acknowledging the contingency theory precepts

allows for a more competent understanding as to why organizational behaviors and perceptions

may vary within the research study. Now we turn to the social judgment theory to explain how

judgments come to fruition through the policy capturing approach.

Policy Capturing Approach

Research offers numerous reasons as to why policy capturing benefits the researcher as

he or she attempts to examine how individuals reach decisions. Regarded as a form of judgment

analysis, policy capturing has been applied to a variety of settings and contexts (Cooksey,

1996a). According to Boon and Sulsky (1997) policy capturing, “uses the observed relations

between people’s overall judgments and the cues varied by the experimenter to infer an

individual’s implicit judgment policy” (p. 22). Rogelberg, Balzer, Ployhart, and Yonker (1999)

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claim the advantage in policy capturing is the ability to measure each individual’s approach to

decision making in an objective method, therefore being used to effectively model decisions that

are mood laden, conscious, and deliberate. In their work, Arnold and Feldman (1981) avow

policy capturing to be advantageous because the objective weight method mitigates the ability

for individual biases to overestimate the relative importance of minor factors that are evident

when using subjective weight methodologies. Subsequently, the use of inferred objective

weighting (i.e., policy capturing approach) provides a valid measurement of importance in self-

report studies of choice situations (Arnold & Feldman, 1981). Policy capturing is a research

design that examines decision making and provides a mathematical description of the decision

maker’s policy that has yielded outcomes to predict and understand future decisions (Taylor &

Wilsted, 1974). A strength in the policy capturing approach is the capability to assess each

individual’s approach to decision making in an objective manner (Rogelberg et al., 1999). In

addition, Rogelberg et al. (1999) maintain policy capturing demonstrates an external validity

when being used.

In summary, policy capturing approach is a research method to assist researchers who are

interested in objectively capturing human judgment policies as an attempt to bridge and

juxtapose the macro and micro organizational behavior domains. Through this statistical

weighting approach, researchers can thoroughly examine how individuals reach decisions and

how they ascertain how much weight should be applied to each criterion or variable based on the

number of actual decisions being made, all the while maintaining external validity. The

researcher will then attempt to ascertain the actual perceptions of macro organizational behaviors

and micro-organizational behaviors by classroom teachers and school administrators. In the end,

the data results will be used to determine if a relationship exists between the two groups’

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perceptions. For more in-depth explanation of the policy capturing approach, reference Chapter

3.

Social Judgment Theory

Judgments that emerge when utilizing the policy capturing approach are developed from

the precepts of the social judgment theory (SJT). Judgments are considered the bedrock of most

decisions (Yates, 1990). So a question remains, how are human judgments emerging from the

policy capturing approach? To better conceptualize the policy capturing approach, the tenets of

the social judgment theory are brought into the study. The social judgment theory is a theoretical

underpinning that bolsters the policy capturing approach by explaining how human judgments

are formed and how a metatheory (SJT) provides direction for research on judgment (Cooksey,

1996a).

What is the social judgment theory? SJT has evolved from probabilistic functionalism

over the last five decades (Doherty & Kurz, 1996). The theory originated on principles

constructed by psychologist Egon Brunswik in 1955 and thereafter evolved into a theoretical

framework for conceptualizing human judgment and decision making (Arkes & Hammond,

1986; Brehmer, 1976). Using the social judgment theory, researchers attempt to explain how

people make judgments (Mallard, 2010) and show that policy quarrels can be captured in terms

of cognitive parameters (Adelman, Stewart, & Hammond, 1975); thereupon, the manifesting

perceptions (policies) burgeoning from the policy capturing approach come to fruition.

When juxtaposing the policy capturing approach and the social judgment theory, the SJT

defines group patterns that manifest from the perceptions of individuals (S. W. Smith, Atkin,

Martell, Allen, & Hembroff, 2006). As Adelman et al. (1975) posits, policies can be delineated

when (a) weighting the proximal cues or factors; (b) employing different function forms (linear

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or nonlinear) for the relationship between the cue and the policymaker’s judgment; (c) using

different organizational principles for amalgamating the cue information once the weighting has

been applied; and (d) executing policies with varying degrees of consistency (ensuring identical

circumstances evoke identical judgments). Since the SJT is a statistical research approach, it

takes on a representative design that provides a uniquely informative means of analyzing many

of our interactions with the environment and with each other (Cooksey, 1996b). So to

conceptualize how judgments are formed, one should recognize the interplay between

environment and human judgment.

The SJT is used as a methodology and a perspective for understanding human judgment

as it is exercised within a particular ecological context (Cooksey, 1996b). Policymakers develop

different judgment policies as a result of the nature of the ecology (environment) in which the

policy is made (Adelman et al., 1975). Since SJT is grounded in the notion of causal ambiguity

in the environment, the environment is generally codified as the judgment ecology (Arkes &

Hammond, 1986). Ecology is postulated as the decision task environment in which he or she is

embedded, simply put one’s environment (Cooksey, 1996b). SJT underscores the notion that

one can arrive at an understanding of the environment or make a judgment two ways: a) based on

the variety of sources of the environment or b) make a judgment based on a variety of sources of

information or cues (Doherty & Kurz, 1996). The policymaker is involved in the policy

formation task (decision making) that can include a plethora of cues and interrelationships;

therefore, in order to understand the task ecology (environment), one must also understand the

context in which the policymaker is working (Cooksey & Freebody, 1986).

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Lens Model

A fundamental underpinning to SJT is the embodied Brunswik’s lens model (Arkes &

Hammond, 1986; Brehmer, 1988; Connolly et al., 2000; Cooksey, 1996a). Judgment analysis

(policy capturing approach) is commonly referred to as the lens model because it illustrates the

complexities of a relationship between two interrelated sub-systems: the environment and

cognitive processes of the judge (Arkes & Hammond, 1986; Cooksey, 1996b). Furthermore, the

utilization of the single system design is the classical policy capturing model when employing

personnel-related judgment research (Cooksey, 1996b). Multiple regression and analysis of

variance have proven to be useful linear models in the analysis of judgment task (Brehmer,

1976). The lens model as it pertains to the SJT provides a method to compare two interacting

systems by using parallel indices to analyze both the task ecology [environment] and the judge’s

judgments [decisions] (Cooksey, 1996b).

There are four broad system concepts (single system, double system, triple system, and n-

system) that can be used when studying human judgment. Each of the four broad system

concepts is derived from the scope of a theoretical approach for studying human judgment.

Cooksey (1996a) delineates scope as “the type of relationship and phenomena considered

appropriate for a particular perspective to be examined” (p. 55). For the purpose of the current

research study, the judgment analysis paradigm will be the single system design.

Single System Design

When working in the single system design framework, a researcher needs to only have

available a sample of cue profiles representing cases or situations (real or simulated) for the

human judge to process (Cooksey, 1996a). Cooksey (1996a) goes on to acknowledge the single

system design primarily focuses only on the judgment process itself, with minimal or no

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reference being made to: (a) the information about the variables or criteria under the study, (b)

the nature of the task environment, (c) the social dimension of the task environment, or (d) the

nature of the interrelationship between judgment processes and the task environment.

The lens model depicts a judgment-environment system as a symmetrical structure, in

which the environment (ecology) is indicated on the left side and the human judgment is

represented on the right side. A main advantage to the lens model is the ability to account for

both the decision maker and the decision-making task, thus providing both descriptive

information to understand judgment accuracy and prescriptive information about how judgment

accuracy can be improved (Hartwig & Bond, 2011). See Appendix D for the visual

representation of the lens model and the fundamental components that make this model a useful

tool when utilizing the policy capturing approach. In addition, when delving deeper into analysis

of the lens model, there is a mathematical formulation of Brunswik’s lens model within the linear

framework that denotes both the judgments and the criterion being judged as functions of cues in

the environment (see Appendix E).

Conclusion

In summary, researchers have spent decades studying organizations, and their people to

ascertain the reasons why some organizations perform at unprecedented levels of success and

others descend toward dismal performance. Organizational behavior has been identified as the

decisive variable for improving organizational performance and human behavior in organizations

(Locke, 2009). In Chapter 2, the researcher selected four micro and four macro organization

behaviors to explore. In the first section of the review of literature, the investigator examined the

four micro organization behaviors (stress, job satisfaction, creativity, and leadership). In the

second section, the researcher reviewed the four macro organizational behaviors (organizational

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structure, organizational design, organizational change, and organizational development). The

literature review posited that each organizational behavior affects the organization in its own

way. The literature also showed that each organizational behavior influences human behavior in

varied ways. For this reason, individuals within an organization may correspondingly hold

divergent perceptions on micro and macro organizational behaviors.

In Chapter 2, the researcher conveyed theoretical reasons why organizations struggle to

be limited to one modus operandi. Since organizations operate in an ever-changing arena, the

contingency theory was discussed to provide an ideology that recognizes behavior in an

organization as the complex result of many micro and macro behaviors taking place.

Understanding the contingency approach helps to explain why there is no single preeminent way

to manage an organization, motivate people, or even make change; thus becoming a widely

acknowledged theory by behavioral scientists (More, 2006). The precepts of the contingency

theory lend a theoretic explanation as to why the perceptions of the selected organizational

behaviors may vary within this empirical research study; additionally, the theory helps to explain

why organizations are all but static.

Chapter 2 concluded with an introductory theoretical look into the research design of the

current study. The policy capturing approach provides a modern day research paradigm that

serves as a statistical method of analysis of variance for juxtaposing micro and macro

organizational behavior in an organizational context (Priem, Walters, & Li, 2011). Whereas the

social judgment theory provides a uniquely informative means for analyzing how judgments are

formed through a representative design. By way of using the single system design, a researcher

can take a sample of cue profiles representing cases or situations in which human judgments are

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processed; thus, the lens model gives a conceptual depiction for understanding judgment within

the paradigm of the social judgment theory.

The literature review provided an overarching understanding into the field of

organizational behavior while at the same time attempting to explain the complexities in which

organizations operate. Although there are several known organizational behaviors, the review of

literature in this study only covers the selected micro and macro organizational behaviors.

Despite conjecturing how the two levels of analysis (micro and macro) impact organizational

performance and human behavior, preceding researchers have not conducted studies between the

perceptions of the two levels. To underpin the research study, theories and research approaches

are introduced to help better answer the why as well as the how that emerge through this

research. Since the study aims to narrow a gap in organizational behavior research, a new

paradigm for bridging the abyss between theory and practice is articulated in Chapter 3.

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CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

Inquiry is fatal to certainty.

- Will Durant

Introduction

With his empirical research, the investigator examined classroom teachers’ and school

administrators’ perceptions of micro organizational behaviors and macro organizational

behaviors related to the organizational setting. The researcher explored the relationship between

a supervisor (administrator) and a subordinate (classroom teacher), and what organizational

behaviors are more important to each. The policy capturing approach was used in this research

study to capture the perceptions of the following micro and macro organizational behaviors:

leadership, creativity, job satisfaction, stress, organizational structure, organizational design,

organizational change, and organizational development. The researcher considered the impact

micro and macro organizational behaviors can have on improved organizational performance,

while at the same time shedding light on the perceptions of micro and macro organizational

behavior in an organizational setting.

Briefly, the policy capturing approach can assist researchers who are using micro and

macro organizational behavior in an organizational context. It is a statistical weighting method

to capture human judgment policies on organizational behavior objectively. In the data analysis,

the researcher weighed and combined information about the perceptions of micro and macro

organizational behavior in an organizational setting based on the eight selected organizational

behaviors. The individuals’ responses were analyzed so inferences can be made about how the

cues influenced their judgment. Noted earlier, the social judgment theory is a theoretical

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underpinning that bolsters the policy capturing approach to explain how human judgments are

formed. In conjunction, aspects of the lens model were used to analyze the statistical weighting

of the cues. The lens model provides a method to compare two interacting systems directly by

using parallel indices to analyze both the task ecology (environment) and the evaluator’s

judgments (decisions).

Research Questions

The research questions which served to guide the study were:

1. How are eight selected organizational behaviors perceived by a teacher?

2. How are eight selected organizational behaviors perceived by an administrator?

Research Design

The research design used in this study consisted of both qualitative and quantitative

research. The method used to gain qualitative information came from the Micro and Macro

Organizational Behavior Perceptions Questionnaire (see Appendix F). Inferential statistics were

used to conjecture the study from the sample in relation to the population. A t-test was run to

determine if a difference exists between the means of the two groups (administrators and

teachers). A factor analysis was used as a way to break down the larger data set into different

subgroups or factors; subsequently, looking at each question with the group of questions (Likert,

scenario, and closed filtered) to determine how these questions accumulate together. The

bedrock of the study hinged on the utilization of the policy capturing approach.

Policy Capturing Approach

The method used in this study was the policy capturing approach. According to Arkes

and Hammond (1986), a person’s judgment policy can be captured after judgments are made

regarding hypothetical cases; subsequently the policy may then be applied to everyday life.

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Priem et al. (2011) infer the policy capturing approach bridges the chasm and integrates the

macro and micro domains in a research study. The research design for this study comes from the

work of Hitt, Dacin, Levitas, Arregle, and Borza (2000) and Hitt, Ahlstrom, Dacin, Levitas, and

Svobodina (2004). Policy capturing is a statistical weighting methodology derived from the

work of Slovic and Lichtenstein in 1971 and is based on the social perception lens developed by

Bruskwik in 1952 (Priem & Harrison, 1994) [see Chapter 2 for more detail on the lens model].

Over time, the policy capturing approach has been used in research studies to determine

job performance (Spence & Keeping, 2010), performance appraisals (Ogunfowora, Bourdage, &

Lee, 2010; Taylor & Wilsted, 1974), organizational subunit effectiveness (Hitt & Middlemist,

1979), organizational decision-making (Sherer, Schwab, & Heneman, 1987; Tyler & Steensma,

1998), teaching effectiveness (Carkenord, 1994), management decisions (Stumpf & London,

1981), blame and forgiveness (Boon & Sulsky, 1997), supervisor trustworthiness (Lapierre,

2007), acquisition decisions (Hitt & Tyler, 1991), and entrepreneur evaluations of opportunities

(Grégoire, Shepherd, & Lambert, 2010; Haynie, Shepherd, & McMullen, 2009). Policy

capturing allows for a more holistic, integrated view of the way people weight and combine the

information they are processing (Boon & Sulsky, 1997). The policy capturing method has been

noted as a within-subjects method that enables a measuring of relative importance when it comes

to decision-making variables or factors (Martocchio & Judge, 1994).

To better conceptualize the methodology used in this study, Hitt and Middlemist (1979)

disclose fundamental precepts of the policy capturing approach:

Policy capturing provides a method of objectively identifying actual judgment

policies. The results of the policy capturing procedure are based on analysis of

actual decisions and provide a quantitative description of a decision maker’s

policy that can be used to predict future decisions. Policy capturing is a process

in which decisions and their cues (criteria) are analyzed to provide a model

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depicting the decision-influencing cues (criteria) and their weights. (Hitt &

Middlemist, 1979, p. 360)

A chasm exists between the micro and macro divide in management research (Priem et

al., 2011). While Staw (1991) builds a robust platform for the micro side, Pfeffer (1991) builds a

solid foundation for the macro side [see Pfeffer (1991) and Staw (1991) articles for further

explanation]. Through the work of researchers, the gap between micro and macro organizational

behaviors has narrowed, yet the divide still remains intermittent and perplexing in the research

milieu (Priem et al., 2011). Using the policy capturing approach as the research design can assist

researchers who are juxtaposing micro and macro organizational behavior in an organizational

context.

Through the method of statistical weighting, policy capturing ascertains how much

weight should be applied to each criterion or variable based on the number of actual decisions

being made (Hitt & Barr, 1989). As Stumpf and London (1981) purport the “policy capturing

approach requires each decision maker to rate a larger number of individuals who vary along

several criteria” (p. 752). Policy capturing is an empirical analysis of actual decisions that

provide a mathematical description of a decision maker’s policy (Taylor & Wilsted, 1974), and

as a regression paradigm this method uses correlational statistics to provide judgmental models

in realistic settings (Slovic, Fischhoff, & Lichtenstein, 1977). Policy capturing is used for

analyzing the judgment policies that emphasize individuals’ decisions, and thus their actions in

an organization (Priem et al., 2011). According to Taylor and Wilsted (1974), the policy

capturing approach employs multiple regression or analysis of variance techniques, which

subsequently weight the cues (criteria) according to their actual influence in the decision.

Regression analyses can be performed to establish relationships between criteria and judgment

when various effectiveness criteria are identified (Hitt & Middlemist, 1979). The research

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design uses the regression techniques to model the cognitive processes underlying individuals’

judgments (Boon & Sulsky, 1997).

The methodology of policy capturing has assisted in the identification of a number of sets

of weights used by a decision maker in combining criteria (Stumpf & London, 1981). Through

an analysis of decision making, policy capturing develops a quantitative decision model that

incorporates a decision criterion which has respective weighting assigned by the individual (Hitt

& Barr, 1989). Thus policy capturing provides an accurate representation of decision-making

behavior that supports the need for external validity within this method (Hitt & Middlemist,

1979). Employing the policy capturing approach offers a versatile option for researchers wishing

to undertake management studies focused on bridging the macro and micro domains in

management research (Priem et al., 2011). Through utilization of the policy capturing approach,

the method circumvents the problems of retrospective bias, faulty memory, or attempts to cast

past behaviors in a positive light, which is common amid certain survey techniques (Golden,

1992; Hitt et al., 2000). Additionally, the approach allows for the examination of multiple

variables synchronously (Rogelberg et al., 1999). As Gorman, Clover, and Doherty (1978)

avow, policy capturing provides two key features: (a) a high degree of control and (2)

manipulation of factors that are difficult to otherwise regulate. The policy capturing approach

lends itself as a conduit between micro and macro organizational behavior studies.

Defining Judgment Policy

A notable element in the policy capturing approach is judgment policy. To better

conceptualize the policy capturing approach, an understanding of judgment policy helps to

recognize how decisions are made. According to Priem et al. (2011), to bridge the micro-macro

divide the judgment policies method attempts to underscore individuals’ decisions and, thus their

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actions. Judgment policies are important for two main reasons: (a) allow individuals to identify

problems and understand the relationship among contributing factors and outcomes, thus guiding

one’s choices and (b) since choices have to be made at all levels of an organization, these choices

greatly influence individual, group, and organizational success (Priem et al., 2011). Priem et al.

(2011) go on to define judgment policy as, “individual mental representations” (p. 554).

Individual mental representations are considered understandings of contributing relationships to

noticeable variables such as mental models, cognitions, cognitive frames, causal maps, schemas,

belief systems, decision rules, and judgment policies (Priem et al., 2011). Priem et al. go on to

assert that mental representations, as delineated above, are the foundations individuals base their

decisions on; therefore, one’s judgment policy for a situation can influence the actions that he or

she will take when confronted with a situation.

Population

Purposeful sampling was used in the research study. Purposeful sampling is based on the

assumption that the investigator wants to discover, comprehend, and glean insight through the

research; therefore, the investigator needs to select a sample from which the most can be learned

(Merriam, 2009). From the various types of purposeful sampling (typical, unique, maximum

variation, convenience, snowball, or chain sampling), unique sampling was selected (Patton,

2002). Additionally, sample size in purposeful sampling is ascertained by informational

considerations to avoid redundancy (Lincoln & Guba, 1985). As Merriam (2009) asserts, the

size of the sample is determined by information considerations when employing purposeful

sampling. Purposeful sampling was used as a way to obtain a more information-rich outcome for

this study. Patton (2002) insists purposeful sampling should be judged according to the purpose

and the rationale of the study at hand, not so much the size of the sample.

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In conjunction with purposeful sampling, convenience sampling and theoretical sampling

were used. Convenience sampling is used to obtain more precise information about the

theoretical construct in a more opportune method (Auerbach & Silverstein, 2003). Convenience

sampling is a sample which the researcher finds to be readily accessible and willing to participate

(Fink, 2003). Theoretical sampling was also used in the research. A cornerstone to theoretical

sampling would be, “the process of choosing a research sample in order to extend and refine a

theory” (Auerbach & Silverstein, 2003, p. 92). As discussed in Chapter 1, the conceptual

framework of this study relies heavily on contingency theory and social judgment theory.

Contingency theory is a grounded ideology that allows investigators to recognize behavior in an

organization as the complex result of many micro and macro behaviors. Correspondingly, social

judgment theory serves to bolster the policy capturing approach for data gathering by allowing

the researcher to explain how human judgments are formed. After the parameters for purposeful

and theoretical sampling were established, the convenience sample technique was then used to

determine the sample population for the pilot study and research study.

The sampling frame for this research study was the state of Texas, however the frame

was only Tarrant County, Texas. The classification of secondary schools was identified through

the 2012-2013 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) set forth by the Texas Education

Agency (TEA). The sample population for this research study consisted of secondary teachers

and secondary administrators. In order to be codified as a secondary campus, the campuses

needed to work with students from the range of 9th-12th grade. The sample of teachers and

administrators was drawn within the sampling frame, coming from the sample population. Each

campus was given a pseudonym within the convenience sample during the research study as well

as the pilot research.

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Pilot Study

Prior to the collection of data for the study, a pilot study was run in the sample frame.

The particular county used for the pilot study was Collin County. The purpose of the pilot study

was to examine the design of the Micro and Macro Organizational Behavior Perceptions

Questionnaire. The pilot study conducted was prior to the actual research study. The purpose of

the pilot study was to identify grave errors in the design of the survey instrument. The design of

the questionnaire was created based upon research analysis. In line with Czaja and Blair (2005)

there are two aspects that served as initial vanguards on the instrument construction: (a)

particular questions were written prior to the overall structure of the instrument; and (b)

intentionality towards keeping in mind the context and circumstances of the questionnaire. To

better ensure understandability, the questionnaire took into consideration the essentials of

questioning in an instrument: biases, length, clarity, abbreviations, and jargon (Fink & Kosecoff,

1998). Based on the work of Presser and Blair (1994), an expert panel was utilized to examine

the questionnaire instrument, identify problems with the questionnaire, and uncover plausible

analysis difficulties. Pilot testing was used for three essential purposes: (a) see whether

participants understood the directions that were provided, (b) examine if participants could

answer the questions provided, and (c) see if the instrument was able to glean the information

needed (Fink, 2006). As Creswell (2013) notes, pilot testing also allows the researcher to refine

interview questions and the research procedures. Furthermore, Czaja and Blair (2005) maintain

the purpose of the pilot data is to ensure that respondents clearly understand the questions being

asked by the researcher, have the necessary information, and respondents are able and willing to

provide an answer in the form the questions require.

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Data Collection Procedures

Employing the policy capturing approach, data was collected through the author designed

Micro and Macro Organizational Behavior Perceptions Questionnaire. Organizational behavior

scientists purported there is no existing survey instrument of its kind that can be used in this

particular perceptions analysis (J. Quick, J. Wagner, C. Miller, M. Hitt, E. M. Hanson, R. Priem,

personal communications, November 2011-February 2012). Subsequently, a survey instrument

was constructed for the research. The design of the Micro and Macro Organizational Behavior

Perceptions Questionnaire (survey instrument) was constructed based upon three fundamental

sources: (a) previous policy capturing approach instruments; (b) existing policy capturing

research; and (c) leading organizational behavior scientists’ research as well as insight from the

doctoral committee. The survey instrument was designed specifically to focus on capturing the

perceptions of the eight identified organizational behaviors.

Instrument Design

The Micro and Macro Organizational Behavior Perceptions Questionnaire was the

instrument used to collect the data. Participants were provided with a set of scenarios or profiles

and asked to provide a judgment on each question. The instrument was self-administered and

allowed the researcher to gather some useful descriptive statistics. The structure of the

instrument took into account key research tenets regarding instrument design, instrument

questions, instrument considerations, and instrument validity and reliability.

Instrument Questions

The actual questions of the instrument took into account a multitude of aspects needed to

support quality instrument design. First and foremost, as well as in accordance with Czaja and

Blair’s (2005) work, the instrument was designed to measure the attitudes, behaviors, or

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attributes required by the research questions (in this case the behaviors measured are the eight

selected organizational behaviors). Questions asked in the questionnaire were, and are to be,

dependent upon the focus of the study (Merriam, 2009). Pretesting, or in this case pilot testing,

was done to ensure the questionnaire worked in a manner intended by the researcher, while at the

same time providing valid and reliable measures of the attitudes, behaviors, or attributes that

were being studied. Ordinal response choices were also used to capture the respondents’

perceptions of micro and macro organizational behavior; in some cases, ordinal response choices

are used to expedite the computing of survey results (Fink, 2003). Ordinal response is defined

as, “Response choices that respondents use to rate or order items” (Fink, 2003 p. 163). In this

instance, the rating was by the participant indicating which organizational behavior they

perceived to be more important. In addition, question utility was closely examined and aligned

[see Czaja & Blair, 2005, p. 71 regarding Key Decision Guide: Question Utility].

The design of the questionnaire took into account the problems with double barreled

questions; double barrel meaning “piling multiple topics into one question” (Czaja & Blair,

2005, p. 83). The instrument also intentionally avoided asking why questions as those questions

tend to lead to speculation about causal relationships (Merriam, 2009). The concept of

acquiescence response set or the tendency to use agree or true categories in questions was

circumvented to mitigate biased inferences that occur from this questioning schema (Zuckerman,

Knee, Hodgins, & Miyake, 1995). In the same vein, leading questions and yes-or-no questions

were similarly avoided to better ensure bias or assumptions were not emerging, being that often

those responses can give you no information at all (Merriam, 2009).

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Instrument Considerations

Czaja and Blair (2005) stress that in order to accomplish an understandable instrument

design, researchers must not cling so tightly to the language of hypotheses, constructs, or

research concepts that very few people, other than experts, can comprehend. Hence, as Fink

(2006) asserts, some instruments are not all concerned with internal consistency since they are

not going to be measuring one attitude or characteristic per se but rather the instrument is

interested in the responses to each items. With that in mind, the Micro and Macro

Organizational Behavior Perceptions Questionnaire concentrated heavily on responses to each

item in the questionnaire rather than purely internal consistency since the instrument was not

only measuring one attitude or characteristic. The questionnaire design was to measure the

following constructs: leadership, creativity, job satisfaction, stress, organizational structure,

organizational design, organizational change, and organizational development. According to

Fink (2006), the identified constructs need to be defined and coincide to the selected theory.

Each of the eight selected organizational behaviors were defined to better ensure a common

definition was adopted that would conform to an accepted theory of the research.

Instrument Validity and Reliability

Overall, reliably is problematic in the social sciences simply because human behavior is

never static (Merriam, 2009). Merriam (2009) mentions there are bound to be differences in

criteria for validity and reliability. As Kirk and Miller (1986) avow, “No experiment can be

perfectly controlled, no measuring instrument can be perfectly calibrated. All measurement,

therefore, is to some degree suspect” (p. 21). By the same token, Auerbach and Silverstein

(2003) describe the problem with reliability and validity as “pursuing the unreachable ideal” (p.

80). Thus there should be a sense of some skepticism about the concept of validity in any social

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science research. Auerbach and Silverstein (2003) underscore this notion when there is no scale

for measuring reliability and validity in regards to groundbreaking research. Substantial regards

to the assertion of Wolcott (2005) who accentuates the incorrectness of considering reliability in

studying human behavior:

In order to achieve reliability in that technical sense, a researcher has to manipulate

conditions so that replicability can be assessed. Ordinarily, fieldworkers do not try to

make things happen at all, but whatever the circumstances, we most certainly cannot

make them happen twice. And if something does happen more than once, we never for a

minute insist that the repetition be exact. (p. 159)

With that in mind, as human perceptions are being captured in this research study,

similarly data variances might emerge throughout the sample population. Moreover, Lincoln and

Guba (1985) suggest that opposed to demanding the same results, a researcher who wishes

outsiders to concur with the data gleaned from the research should arrange the results in a way

that makes sense—consistent and dependable. Reliability, validity, or other types of data quality

are contingent on the attributes of the subpopulation in the research (teachers and administrators

in this instance), thus impacting the survey design in the research study (Alwin, 2007).

The Micro and Macro Organizational Behavior Perceptions Questionnaire is premised on

grounded reliability and validity research notions. Rarely is one measuring of a signal factor

with an instrument or test likely, therefore to this extent almost all instruments or tests measure

more than one characteristic (Dick & Hagerty, 1971); subsequently, a decrease in internal-

consistency reliability estimates will emerge in research. In the same notion, it is essential to

recognize criterion validity procedures cannot be applied to all measurement situations in the

social sciences, thus the more abstract the concept, the less likely it is to discover an appropriate

criterion for assessing a measure of it (Carmines & Zeller, 1979). With that in mind, both

criterion validity and content validity have limited usefulness for assessing the validity of

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empirical measures of theoretical concepts employed in the social sciences (Carmines & Zeller,

1979).

Lincoln and Guba (1985) note that credibility, consistency/dependability, and

transferability are appropriate strategies for dealing with internal validity, reliability, and external

validity with respect to qualitative research. When questionability of reliability and validity

emerge in instrument design, a criteria employed to distinguish between justifiable and

unjustifiable research is called transparency, communicability, and coherence (Rubin & Rubin,

1995). Transferability is also considered an alternative to generalizability (Auerbach &

Silverstein, 2003). Given that, transparency, communicability, coherence, and transferability are

defined as in Table 20:

Table 20

Transparency, Communicability, Coherence, and Transferability Defined

Criteria Definition

Transparency Other researchers understand the steps by which the researcher arrived

at the interpretation of results.

Communicability The themes and constructs can be understood and make sense to other

researchers and the participants themselves.

Coherence Theoretical constructs fit together and allow the researcher to tell a

coherent story about the data analysis.

Transferability Theoretical constructs and abstract patterns that were developed in

grounded theory are transferable in the fact they will be found in

different subcultures.

Note. Auerbach & Silverstein (2003); Rubin & Rubin (1995, 2005)

Delgado-Rico, Carretero-Dios, and Ruch (2012) purport content validity is essentially the

degree to which a sample of items (in this case the eight organizational behaviors) represents an

adequate operational definition of the construct of interest (construct of interest being the

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perceptions of the organizational behaviors). Wynd, Schmidt, and Schaefer (2003) contend

content validity is the degree to which an instrument adequately samples the research domain of

interest; however, as Carmines and Zeller (1979) notably assert, there is “no agreed upon

criterion for determining the extent to which a measure has attained content validity” (p. 22).

Moreover, Carmines and Zeller suggest there are two ways to adequately measure content

validity: (a) identifying the entire domain of content related to the phenomena of interest

beginning with a thorough review of literature; and (b) developing instrument items associated

with the identified domain of content. Braun, Jackson, Wiley, and Messick (2002) assert validity

is seemingly only concerned with measurement and is not concerned with decisions, values, and

impacts.

As Auerbach and Silverstein (2003) acknowledge, all research design or instrumentation

evokes skepticism to some degree. However, when hesitant to accept the reliability, validity, or

generalizability of this study or the research design, one should consider transparency,

communicability, coherence, and transferability. Moreover, instead of holding so strongly to

validity, and since validity theorists cannot reach a consensus over its proper use despite decades

of debates, the evaluation of assessment procedures might be strongly considered (Newton,

2012b). Newton goes on to state the evaluation of assessment procedures entails three

cornerstones to offset validity questionability:

1. Evaluating the potential for good measurement (using the procedure),

2. Evaluating the potential for good decision making (using the procedure), and

3. Evaluating the potential for good impacts (using the procedure).

Taking an all-or-none conception of validity may have a negative impact on practice

(Markus & Borsboom, 2013), and a problem with validity cannot be solved by psychometric

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techniques or models alone (Borsboom, 2005) but rather sufficiently clarifying validity has

seemingly more benefits (Newton, 2012a). Newton (2012a) would go on to add, “Declaring

validity on the basis of the instrument alone would be like declaring the legitimacy of an election

purely on the basis of the ballot form” (p. 119). Seconding this perspective, Kane (2001)

reiterates, “Validity is considered an integrated evaluative judgment of the degree to which

empirical evidence and theoretical rationales support the adequacy and appropriateness of

inferences and actions based on test scores or other modes of assessment” (p. 13). Additionally,

as McGrath (2005) attests, many, if not most, of the scales commonly employed are at best a

rough reflection of the constructs they are intended to capture. Concluding with the words of

Auerbach and Silverstein (2003) as noted in Table 20,

What we do ask of you is to recognize that reliability, validity, and generalizability are

not completely solid guarantees of trustworthy research in social sciences. Rather, they

require you to accept assumptions that are not immediately self-evident and are, in fact,

somewhat problematic. (p. 82)

Limitations

All research studies have some limitations (C. M. Roberts, 2010). Research findings

come with limited generalizability; thus, while research may discover what is, it always does so

within parameters of certain worldviews and set of values (Gall, Gall, & Borg, 2007). First, the

instrument used to collect teachers’ and administrators’ perceptions of organizational behavior

may be limited in its design. Second, in this study the researcher only looked at the perceptions

of public education teachers and administrators, subsequently not expanding into other industries

in the workforce. The policy capturing approach used in this study does not address all micro

and macro organizational behaviors. Based on the sample size of the research, there is limited

generalizability to other geographical and comparable districts or schools. Although multiple

regressions can be exceedingly valuable, conclusions drawn from correlations do not reveal

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anything about causation (Greenberg, 2011). In other words, correlations point out how

variables are related to each other, but they do not provide any indication of the cause-and-effect

relationships in this study. Humans’ abilities to make judgments, to understand, and to

communicate about their judgment is a limitation of consideration (Johnson & Doherty, 1983).

Policy Capturing Approach Limitations

There are real-world constraints that can limit the number of cues that can be studied and

examined in any one policy capturing approach (Boon & Sulsky, 1997). Seldom, albeit

plausible, the selection of cue values in policy capturing studies may proceed in a way that is

designed to satisfy the experimental or statistical requirements (i.e., minimizing the cue

intercorrelation), rather than reporting the naturally occurring cue values (Connolly et al., 2000).

The policy capturing method is noted to have limited external validity (Cooksey, 1996a; Gorman

et al., 1978). Cooksey (1996a) purports, “In order to convincingly show internal validity in

policy capturing research, a perfect insight on the part of the judge with respect to one’s own

policy must be assumed” (p. 311). Cook and Stewart (1975) also assert a general lack of insight

into one’s own judgment when attempting to ascertain cue importance, and statistical weighting

or the researcher’s understanding of the exact meaning of cue importance is a limitation to be

considered. Perhaps, using a larger set of policies can shift the researcher away from using their

own subjective weighting schema to more accurately recognizing and distinguishing policy from

a larger group of policies (Reilly & Doherty, 1992). Another potential limitation to the study is

any method subjective or objective that is assessing cue weighting as employed in this research

needs to recognize both the procedural validity when choosing an appropriate weighting scheme

and substantive validity in terms of the empirical grounds for the use of the weighting scheme in

this research study (Cooksey, 1996a).

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According to Carkenord and Stephens (1994) the policy-capturing approach lacks a

degree of representativeness, despite providing a great deal of control in the research

environment. As Priem and Harrison (1994) point out, policy capturing along with other

judgment-focused methods has inherent dilemmas:

One involves the choice between presenting profiles as either a set of correlated

or orthogonal strategy variables. Correlated variables have better generalizability

to actual states of the world, but do not allow a researcher an unambiguous way to

estimate the independent effect of each variable, or to construct the independent

interaction terms essential for comparing executive judgments to the prescriptions

of contingency theories. (p. 318)

As are most studies, the findings are limited by both the method and sample employed.

Additionally, the generalizability of results has been extended to teachers and school

administrators. It is possible that other cues not examined in this study may be germane to the

research study.

Data Analysis

The data gleaned from the research study was collected from secondary teachers and

administrators in the state of Texas. Data analysis was used to weigh and combine information

about the perceptions of micro and macro organizational behaviors in an organizational setting

(based on the eight selected organizational behaviors). Participants in this study were provided

with a set of scenarios or profiles and asked to provide a judgment on each question. The

independent variables also referred to as cues, was systematically varied across the scenario

questions. In policy capturing, the cues serve as the independent variables and the judgments

made by the participants serve as the dependent variables. The individuals’ comprehensive

responses are then examined using the policy capturing approach, and determined so inferences

can be postulated about how the cues influenced their judgment. At this juncture, the lens model

was used to analyze the statistical weighting of the cues. As previously mentioned, the research

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design consisted of both qualitative research and quantitative research. The method used to gain

qualitative information came from the Micro and Macro Organizational Behavior Perceptions

Questionnaire. Inferential statistics, a t-test, and factor analysis used were ways to break down

the larger data set into different subgroups or factors; however duly noted should be the

underpinning of the study hinged on the utilization of the policy capturing approach.

Summary

In closing, Chapter 3 included the methodology for the research study that employed a

mixed-methods approach. The chapter began with discussing the research design. The research

design for this study was the policy capturing approach that assists researchers who are

juxtaposing micro and macro organizational behavior in an organizational context. The policy

capturing approach is a statistical weighting method that objectively captures human judgment

policies on organizational behavior. The researcher explored the relationship between a

supervisor (administrator) and a subordinate (classroom teacher), and what organizational

behaviors are more important to each. The researcher also considered the impact that micro and

macro organizational behaviors can have on improved organizational performance, while at the

same time shedding light on the perceptions of micro and macro organizational behavior in the

organizational setting.

Chapter 3 then moved into the sampling procedures. The sampling frame for this

research study was the state of Texas; however, the frame only extends into four Texas counties

(Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant). Through purposeful sampling, the sample population was

established. The sample population for this study came from 9th-12th grade classroom teachers

and school administrators within the sampling frame. After the sample population was

identified, research participants were selected through convenience sampling. The chapter also

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included a discussion regarding reliability concerns with social science research when studying

human behavior.

Next the researcher addressed instrument development. The research instrument was

constructed based upon literature instrumentation precepts. With that in mind, consideration

about the instrument design and the context in which it was being used recognizes that research

data was collected through a researcher designed Micro and Macro Organizational Behavior

Perceptions Questionnaire. Data analysis consisted of weighing and combining information

about the perceptions of micro and macro organizational behavior in an organizational setting

(based on the eight selected organizational behaviors). Participants were provided with a set of

scenarios or profiles and asked to provide a judgment on each question. The participants’

responses were then examined and ascertained so inferences could be posited about how the cues

influenced their judgment. A regression analysis was then done to capture the perceptions of the

participants in the study. Ultimately, the data gleaned was then subjected to multiple regression

methods to obtain a representation of a participant’s policy judgment with the intent to capture

the policy. Concepts of the Brunswik’s lens model, specifically the single system design, were

employed in the policy capturing approach for this research study.

In summation, organizational behavior has a dynamic effect on both the organization and

its people (Greenberg, 2011; Nelson & Quick, 2011). The contributions from this research study

aim to inform leaders about how micro and macro organizational behavior is perceived within

the organization. The researcher builds upon organizational behavior research, and considers a

new paradigm for looking at organizational effectiveness through the perceptions of a supervisor

(administrator) and a subordinate (classroom teacher). While the research appraises what is

known about organizational behavior, the researcher examined an untouched area in the

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literature. By means of juxtaposing micro and macro organizational behavior in an

organizational context, the findings of the research study may provide research-based application

to practitioners and researchers. In Chapter 4, the researcher will provide the results of the

perception analysis study.

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CHAPTER 4

RESULTS

In a questionnaire survey, meaning and interpretations come to light progressively, each

analysis providing an additional touch to a forthcoming global picture.

- Bruno Falissard

Detailed results of the research study are reported in this chapter. Chapter 4 is divided

into four main sections: overview of data collection, descriptive statistics, statistical analysis, and

data results. Interpretation of the results is the final discussion and reserved for Chapter 5. The

intent of the study was to examine classroom teachers’ and school administrators’ perceptions of

micro organizational behaviors and macro organizational behaviors in an organizational setting

through a policy capturing approach. There were two research questions for this study:

1. How are eight selected organizational behaviors perceived by a teacher?

2. How are eight selected organizational behaviors perceived by an administrator?

Data findings from this study provide insight on the perceptions of organizational

behavior through the lens of a supervisor and subordinate. The results from this study indicate a

perception variance does exist between the micro-macro levels. By answering the two research

questions, the data results point towards a possible need for a paradigm shift in organizational

thinking. Chapter 4 now moves into the overview of data collection.

Overview of Data Collection

Materials

In the field studies, participants received two packets. One packet was the informed

consent detailing the approval for research, confidentiality, contact information, and an overview

of the research study. The second packet was the Micro and Macro Organizational Behavior

Perceptions Questionnaire. Both the consent form and verbal communication from the

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researcher assured confidentiality of individual responses. All participation was voluntary. The

principal investigator did not provide compensation for participating in the field study. The

current study was approved by the University of North Texas Institutional Review Board before

data collection began. When the participants were done, they were asked to return their packet.

Questionnaire Instrument

The paper-based questionnaire instrument consisted of 34 questions (three sets of 34

profiles). The questionnaire was divided into four primary sections: Likert scale questions,

scenario questions, closed-ended filter questions, and a weighting question (refer to Chapter 3 for

a more in-depth look at the design of the questionnaire instrument). The participants were asked

to rate each profile (Likert scale questions) in response to the following: strongly disagree,

disagree, somewhat disagree, somewhat agree, agree, or strongly agree. After completing that

set of profiles, participants made judgments regarding the similar set of profiles in response to

scenario questions that had the participants respond with: strongly disagree, disagree, somewhat

disagree, somewhat agree, agree, or strongly agree. The third set of profiles, the closed-ended

filter questions, were asked of the participants to best describe their response as strongly

disagree, disagree, somewhat disagree, somewhat agree, agree, or strongly agree. In the final

set of profiles, weighting question, participants were asked to weigh their perception of micro

and macro organizational behavior using a 100 scale.

The set of profile questions were designed so each participant had the opportunity to

respond to each organizational behavior. The research questions are nomothetic questions in

nature, thus the nomothetic approach investigates large groups of people in order to find general

laws of behavior, through applying standardized criteria for categorization and comparison

(Robinson, 2011; Te’eni, 1998). The pilot study was used as a means to backward engineer,

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meaning it took into account fatigue, boredom, and other factors to better ascertain upfront the

number of scenarios that would be reasonable for a participant (Aiman-Smith, Scullen, & Barr,

2002). Additionally, acceptable questionnaire length varies across individuals, which emerges as

the researcher determines the maximum number of scenarios respondents can reasonably be

expected to process (Aiman-Smith et al., 2002). The average data collection from start to finish

took 31-33 minutes. When working with attributes, construct, or behaviors, it is common in

research situations that ordinal categories will coincide with meaningful directional differences

(O’Connell, 2006); this notion was considered throughout the analyses of the questionnaire data.

Subsequently, Likert scale (ordinal) was used in the questionnaire. Whereas categorical data was

used for the relationship analyses between the teacher and administrator (1 – teacher and 2 –

administrator); the data site responses were also analyzed using the same analysis process.

Descriptive Statistics

Questionnaire Response Rate

The questionnaire was distributed to three high schools that were located in the state of

Texas, specifically Tarrant County. Questionnaires were vetted in the data as useable versus

unusable due to partial completion, multiple answers per item, incomprehensible markings, and

non-completion. Questionnaires were also removed in which the data entry was noted as straight

ballot responses, such as marking all items 1 or 4. A total of 191 questionnaires were initially

received, 10 of which could not be used. The study had an overall 94.8% response rate. The

principal investigator distributed and collected the questionnaires.

Demographical Data

The demographical data from the questionnaire included gender, race/ethnicity,

employment years, and administrative experience. Table 21 provides an overview of the sample.

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Table 21

Demographical Characteristics of the Research Sample

Characteristic N %

Gender Male 76 42

Female 105 58

Ethnicity Caucasian or White 130 72

Hispanic, Latino/a, or Spanish Origin 15 8.4

African American or Black 19 10.6

Asian American 4 2.2

Other 11 6.1

Age 30 or younger 41 23.8

31-40 53 30.8

41-50 31 18.0

51-60 28 16.3

61 or older 19 11.0

Employment

Teaching

Experience

1-5 56 34.1

6-10 28 17.1

11-20 46 28.0

21-30 19 11.6

31-40 14 8.5

41 or older 1 .6

Employment

Administrative

Experience

1-5 6 42.9

6-10 5 35.7

11-20 2 14.3

21-30 1 7.1

In summary, the demographical characteristics of the research sample consists of the

majority of participants being of female gender (58%), with the primary ethnicity being

Caucasian (72%), the mean of age ranging between the ages of 22 to 72, with an average age of

41.4, and a standard deviation of 12.7. The sample consisted of 167 teachers (92.3%) and 14

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administrators (7.7%). Interestingly, the largest employment groups were at the 1-5 years of

experience range for both the teacher (34.1%) and administrative experience (42.9%).

Statistical Analysis

Characteristics of Data

From the policy capturing approach, a nomothetic approach was used for this study as

this procedure is useful for predicting behavior or choices in the aggregate (Aiman-Smith et al.,

2002). A nomothetic approach simply attempts to examine generalizations rather than

particulars (Machotka, 2012). A regression model was employed for the analysis of data,

specifically a binary logistic regression. Regression analysis examines a relationship between a

quantitative response variable (Fox, 2008), thus a regression analysis was done. The outcome

used in the analysis (perception of micro or macro organizational behavior) is dichotomous and

therefore a binary logistic regression was considered.

Least–Squared

The method least-squares (LS) is regularly used when employing linear regressions,

multiple linear estimation, and for estimators used in ANOVA (Stauffer, 2008). The least-

squares method is used to estimate weights and parameters (Padgett, 2011). In this study, the

beta weights are represented in a logit form and interpreted in an odds ratio. Stauffer (2008)

points out that least-square estimators are the most efficient unbiased estimators for linear and

multiple regression, and that LS estimation can be generalized to the generalized least-squares

estimation (GLS). GLS regression provided unbiased estimates of standard error (Neter, 1996).

Using generalized linear models (GLMs), the model generalizes linear regression by allowing

the linear model to be related to the response variable through a link function and by allowing

the magnitude of the variance of each measurement to be a function of its predicted value

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(Dobson & Barnett, 2008). GLMs are a generalization of linear models (Adler, 2012). To be

noted is that situations arise where the variances are not all the same and the observations may be

correlated. Subsequently, different variances with independent errors occur and the weighted

regression is considered (Padgett, 2011). However, with this particular policy capturing

approach, the research questions and the variables in the study do not require least-squared (LS)

or generalized least squared (GLS) to answer the research questions.

Cue Usage

To determine which cues the participants used in Micro and Macro Organizational

Behavior Perceptions Questionnaire, a usefulness index (UI) and a normalized usefulness index

(NUI) for each cue for each subject were computed. The UI cues that are effective in predicting

preference are considered usefulness indices in this study. UIs were based upon the variables

that are most likely in predicting participant’s preference of organizational behavior. Table 21

represents the NUI. High UIs indicate a greater preference of a cue than low UIs. NUIs were

computed to compare cue preference across participants. The NUIs were computed by dividing

the individual subjects UIs score by the total score of each UI and multiplying by 100. The

means and standard deviations of the NUIs across all participants are given in the table. Table

22 contains the median values for the NUIs. Also appearing in the table are the minimum and

maximum NUIs for each cue across all participants. As seen in Table 22, creativity, job

satisfaction and stress were identified as the most important cues. Table 22 data indicates the

statistical data of the NUIs across all participants for Questions 1-29.

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Table 22

Normalized Usefulness Index Across All Participants

Cue Name M SD Median Min. Value Max. Value

Leadership 55.73 24.05 50.00 0 100.00

Creativity 64.97 26.29 75.00 0 100.00

Job Satisfaction 63.73 29.48 66.67 0 100.00

Stress 61.58 27.46 57.14 0 100.00

Organizational Structure 39.96 22.70 37.50 0 100.00

Organizational Change 36.76 17.00 33.33 0 83.33

Organizational Design 40.53 21.39 42.86 0 85.71

Organizational

Development

41.97 25.64 37.50 0 100.00

Note. This study used the index of position (teacher or administrator).

Table 22 is the scaling score that each OB could get based upon the perceptions of the

participants. Importantly noted is that each OB was statistically rescaled to a scale of 0-8 to get

the normalized usefulness index, as shown in Table 22. High UIs indicate a greater use of a cue

than low UIs (i.e., preference). The cues accepted as the usefulness index, and found to be

effective in predicting preference were micro organizational behaviors—leadership, creativity,

job satisfaction, and stress. To be accepted as the useful index it simply means whether the

measure can be used to answer the stated research questions as well as how frequently the cue is

preferred. When referencing Table 22, the way to ascertain the cues accepted as usefulness

index can be found by examining the mean scores. When standardized weights are measured in

standard deviation (SD) units, the standard deviation can be used as the standardized regression

coefficients to explain the expected change (Aiman-Smith et al., 2002). If the cues are

uncorrelated, then the variance in the dependent variable that is associated or explained by each

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cue is unique to that particular cue (Aiman-Smith et al., 2002). A reason why such a span occurs

within the SD is that the SD is derived from the difference in perceptions between the teacher

and administrator (1 – teacher and 2 – administrator), as well as the considerable sample size

variance between the two groups (e.g., 1 – teacher and 2 – administrator).

Data Results

Encapsulating the data analyses, there are some noteworthy results that can be drawn

from this study. The logistical regression data indicates that if exponential beta weights [Exp(B)]

are greater than one, there is a likelihood that the person selects macro organizational behavior.

On the other hand, if the value is less than 1, as the predictor increases the likelihood of the

outcome decreases. The results suggest that as people get older they will select macro

organizational behavior. The analyses of Table 23 indicate the following about the Exp(B)

weighted variables. For interpretation purposes, by looking at the odds ratio [Exp(B)] column, if

the value is greater than 1, then it indicates that as the predictor (i.e., age) increases the

likelihood of the outcome (preferring macro organizational behavior) also increases.

Additionally, when conducting a logistic analysis, sex became statistically significant at (.05).

Males (Exp(B) = 2.126, p < .05) were twice as likely to select macro than micro organizational

behaviors when holding all other variables constant (i.e., holding constant variables such as age,

experience, school, race, and position). Analyses indicate there is a difference on how the

hierarchal positions perceived organizational behaviors on Questions 1-29. Specifically, when

all variables are held constant, teachers (Exp(B) = 1.134) preferred macro organizational

behavior over micro in comparison to administrators. Note, this relationship was not statistically

significant (p = .857). However when all variables are not held constant, which is more often

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than not, teachers preferred micro organizational behavior over macro whereas administrators

preferred macro organizational behavior over micro.

Table 23

Logistical Regression Coefficients for Demographics Assessing Micro or Macro Organizational

Behavior Preference

Predictors B S.E. Wald df Sig. Exp(B)

Age .029 .022 1.693 1 .193 1.029

Experience -.016 .030 .296 1 .586 .984

Male .754 .382 3.898 1 .048 2.126

Other 6.332 4 .176

African American .051 .943 .003 1 .957 1.052

Hispanic, Latino/a, or Spanish

Origin

.019 .942 .000 1 .984 1.019

Asian American 1.514 1.383 1.199 1 .274 4.545

Caucasian or White -.758 .781 .941 1 .332 .469

Teacher .126 .701 .032 1 .857 1.134

School .982 2 .612

School(1) -.305 .464 .434 1 .510 .737

School(2) .120 .535 .050 1 .822 1.128

Constant -1.692 1.310 1.669 1 .196 .184

Note. Cox & Snell (1989) R2

= .078; Nagelkerke (1992) R2 = .110; X

2(10) = 12.707, p > .05

Table 24 analysis of the sample provides information of the eight OB cues preference

data. The way to interpret the table is the same way it was interpreted in Table 23. However

leadership (Wald (1) = 6.058, p < .05), organizational change (Wald (1) = 6.128, p < .05), and

organizational structure (Wald (1) = 6.226, p < .05) were found to be statistically significant in

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predicting preference. Inferring the more important these cues are to the participants, the more

likely they will prefer macro (e.g., conjectured by the Exp(B) column results are greater than one

in logistic regression results).

Table 24

Logistical Regression Coefficients for Weighted Cues Assessing Micro or Macro Organizational

Behavior Preference

Cue B S.E. Wald df Sig. Exp(B)

Organizational Development .074 .038 3.803 1 .051 1.077

Leadership .091 .037 6.058* 1 .014 1.096

Job Satisfaction .028 .022 1.512 1 .219 1.028

Organizational Change .063 .025 6.128* 1 .013 1.065

Organizational Structure .097 .039 6.266* 1 .012 1.102

Creativity .059 .038 2.400 1 .121 1.061

Organizational Design .056 .032 3.082 1 .079 1.057

Stress .037 .028 1.747 1 .186 1.037

Constant -25.452 12.221 4.338* 1 .037 .000

Note. Cox & Snell (1989) R2

= .304; Nagelkerke (1992) R2 = .423; X

2(8) = 55.39, p < .001; *p <

.05

The analyses from Table 25 finds that teachers’ means are higher on all four micro

organizational behaviors and conversely the administrators are higher on the macro

organizational behaviors. Interestingly, data revealed that job satisfaction had a statistical

significance (t (168) = 2.78, p < .01) in regards to the perceptions of job satisfaction is more

important than the macro organizational behaviors. Stress had a statistical significance (t (172) =

2.13, p < .05) in regards to perceptions of stress is more important than the macro organizational

behaviors. Organizational change had a statistical significance (t (168) = -3.30, p < .01) in

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regards to how the perceptions of organizational change were viewed, there was a noteworthy

difference between administrators and teachers. The means and standard deviations are also

shown in the Table 25.

Table 25

Cue Means and Standard Deviation for T-Test Analysis

Cue Position N M SD

Std. Error

Mean

Leadership Teacher 156 4.3974 1.87919 .15046

Administrator 13 4.1538 2.47811 .68730

Job Satisfaction** Teacher 157 3.9299 1.73617 .13856

Administrator 13 2.5385 1.71345 .47522

Creativity Teacher 154 5.2143 2.06738 .16659

Administrator 13 5.0000 2.58199 .71611

Organizational

Design

Teacher 159 2.7987 1.47888 .11728

Administrator 13 3.3077 1.70219 .47210

Organizational

Development

Teacher 152 3.3487 2.04667 .16601

Administrator 13 3.4615 2.18386 .60569

Stress* Teacher 161 4.3975 1.86842 .14725

Administrator 13 3.2308 2.31495 .64205

Organizational

Change**

Teacher 157 2.1338 .99419 .07934

Administrator 13 3.0769 .95407 .26461

Organizational

Structure

Teacher 155 3.1290 1.78635 .14348

Administrator 13 4.0000 2.04124 .56614

Note. *p < .05; **p < .01

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Table 26 shows the ANOVA and weighting cues for Question 34. The results point out

that leadership had a statistical significance F(1,169) = 7.46, p < .01) for administrators.

Table 26

Mean Differences in the Weighted Cues for Teachers and Administrators

Cue N M SD Std. Error

Creativity Teacher 158 24.854 14.9167 1.1867

Administrator 13 24.231 10.3775 2.8782

Total 171 24.807 14.5987 1.1164

Job Satisfaction Teacher 159 31.396 15.4715 1.2270

Administrator 13 23.462 11.7942 3.2711

Total 172 30.797 15.3413 1.1698

Leadership** Teacher 158 25.019 14.7586 1.1741

Administrator 13 36.538 12.6466 3.5075

Total 171 25.895 14.8938 1.1390

Stress Teacher 158 19.449 13.5499 1.0780

Administrator 13 15.769 9.5407 2.6461

Total 171 19.170 13.3019 1.0172

Organizational

Change

Teacher 157 16.618 8.8358 .7052

Administrator 13 15.769 7.0256 1.9485

Total 170 16.553 8.6961 .6670

Organizational

Development

Teacher 157 26.471 15.7779 1.2592

Administrator 13 27.308 10.5308 2.9207

Total 170 26.535 15.4181 1.1825

Organizational

Design

Teacher 158 29.222 16.2275 1.2910

Administrator 13 36.154 10.2376 2.8394

Total 171 29.749 15.9370 1.2187

Organizational

Structure

Teacher 157 26.720 15.3142 1.2222

Administrator 13 20.769 10.1748 2.8220

Total 170 26.265 15.0449 1.1539

Note. **p < .01

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Conversely, although not statistically significant, teachers weighted creativity higher than

administrators F(1,169) = .022, p > .05). The analyses data outlines the overall weighting

perceptions and how organizational behaviors were weighted within the micro and macro lens.

Lastly, descriptive analyses from the closed-ended filter questions lend insightful data as

to how micro and macro organizational behaviors are being perceived in an organizational

setting. The corresponding tables show the data in a descriptive numerical format. Table 27

indicates participants tended to feel that micro (67.8%) was more important than macro (32.2%).

That data showed that 68.4% of teachers compared to 61.5% of administrators stated that micro

organizational behavior is more important than macro organizational behavior.

Table 27

Perception Importance: Micro or Macro Organizational Behavior

Position Freq. %

Teacher Micro Organizational Behavior 108 68.4

Macro Organizational Behavior 50 31.6

Total 158 100

Administrator Micro Organizational Behavior 8 61.5

Macro Organizational Behavior 5 38.5

Total 13 100

All Micro Organizational Behavior 116 67.8

Macro Organizational Behavior 55 32.2

Among the four micro organizational behaviors, job satisfaction (40.9%) was identified

as the most important followed by creativity at (23.3%), leadership (20.5%) and stress at

(15.3%). Table 28 shows administrators selected leadership as the most important micro

organizational behavior, while teachers selected job satisfaction as the most important.

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Organizational design (41.5%) was identified as the most important macro organizational

behavior, with organizational change the least important at 3.4%.

Table 28

Perception Importance within the Organizational Behavior

Micro Organizational Behavior Macro Organizational Behavior

Cue Freq. % Cue Freq. %

Creativity 41 23.3 Organizational Change 6 3.4

Leadership 36 20.5 Organizational Design 73 41.5

Stress 27 15.3 Organizational Development 51 29.0

Job Satisfaction 72 40.9 Organizational Structure 46 26.1

Total 176 100.0 Total 176 100.0

Table 29 shows a consensus between teachers (39.5%) and administrators (64.3%) that

organizational design is the most important macro organizational behavior.

Table 29

Perception Importance within the Organizational Behavior - Macro

Position Freq. Valid %

Teacher Organizational Change 6 3.7

Organizational Design 64 39.5

Organizational Development 47 29.0

Organizational Structure 45 27.8

Total 162 100.0

Administrator Organizational Design 9 64.3

Organizational Development 4 28.6

Organizational Structure 1 7.1

Total 14 100.0

Note. This particular administrative sample did not select organizational change

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The organizational behavior that was considered to be perceived as the most important of

the eight organizational behaviors, when analyzed amid the other seven organizational behaviors,

was job satisfaction (31.6%). Conversely, organizational change (1.1%) was perceived as the

organizational behavior with the least importance (see Table 30).

Table 30

Perception Importance of the Eight Organizational Behaviors

Organizational Behavior Freq. %

Job Satisfaction 55 31.6

Organizational Development 21 12.1

Creativity 18 10.3

Organizational Design 17 9.8

Organizational Change 2 1.1

Stress 15 8.6

Organizational Structure 12 6.9

Leadership 34 19.5

Total 174 100

Conclusion

In closing, the analysis of the data indicates participants in an organizational setting

perceived micro organizational behaviors to be more important than macro organizational

behaviors at the teacher level. Conversely, data indicates that administrators perceived macro

organizational behaviors to be more important than micro organizational behaviors.

Interestingly, job satisfaction was the most important micro organizational behavior for teachers

and leadership for administrators; whereas the organizational design was noted as the most

important macro organizational behavior for both administrators and teachers. When all eight

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organizational behaviors were analyzed in comparison to one another, job satisfaction was

perceived as the most important organizational behavior. Also noted was that as age increases so

does the likelihood of one’s own perceptions to perceive macro organizational behavior as more

important than micro organizational behavior.

While the analyses provide discussion points, there are some notions to consider. As

Falissard (2012) reminds researchers, a particularity of questionnaire data (in this case, the micro

and macro organizational behavior perceptions questionnaire) is they are fundamentally open to

interpretation. Nonetheless, the design must be tailored to each particular study (such as this

research study), thus inevitably resulting in no consensual, clear-cut rules concerning the design

of an ideal model. Despite a deliberate effort to ensure that data was pure for the research study,

Murtagh (2005) substantiates that real data analysis is never purely clean data, but instead data

that is imprecise, predominantly existent, and mixed in terms of various traditional data

categorizations (e.g., qualitative and quantitative, text and numeric, macro and micro, and so on).

Policy capturing grasps individual decision making policies including how multiple variables

rank in importance, how information presented is completed and how results are selected

(Chhinzer, 2007). In this particular study, a key aspect of the data analysis procedure was

participants were not requested in the policy capturing approach to explicitly state subjective

insights on the questionnaire, but rather the importance of each organizational behavior which

was inferred from the analytical results. Additionally when employing the research method, the

policy capturing approach cannot include all the variables that influence decision making

outcomes (Aiman-Smith et al., 2002), and it is also virtually impossible to determine a priori as

to the exact factors by which individuals make judgments (Karren & Barringer, 2002).

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While this specific area of research is still in its infancy, these results, taken with future work,

have real world implication. Understanding how organizational behavior is perceived within the

organization provides meaningful data as to what might be assumed as important versus what is

actual perceptions in an organizational context. While there seems to be a micro-macro divide

within organizational research, results such as this offer an effective approach to view this chasm

through a more quantitative lens. The findings can help to better understand the complexity

within organizations, depict the differences of how organizational behavior is perceived, and

most importantly provide a tool to bridge the individual-organizational interface. A discussion

about the study, implications from the research findings, and future recommendations drawn

from this research study are in Chapter 5.

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CHAPTER 5

DISCUSSION, IMPLICATIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS

Behavior in the workplace is not only the result of the needs and drives of the people present; it

is also a product of the perceptions of everyone involved.

- Jeff O. Harris & Sandra J. Hartman

Introduction

In the previous chapters, an overarching synopsis of organizational behavior was

provided, the overview of the study was delineated, a comprehensive literature review was given,

the methods discussed, and the statistical results were presented. This culminating chapter

contains four main sections. First, the introduction section begins with a review of

organizational behavior (OB), followed by a basic overview of the study and concluded by a

summary of the results. Secondly, the discussion section then provides my closing thoughts

about the eight organizational behaviors, along with insight about the data findings in the study.

Thirdly, in the implications section the findings of the study are interpreted and extrapolated.

Finally, the chapter concludes with recommendations for leveraging organizational behavior and

some recommendations for future exploration in the field of organizational behavior.

Review of Organizational Behavior

Organizations are overwhelmingly complex. There is an on-going interplay between the

organization and its people, a bond so forceful that it can either stifle performance or enhance

creativity. The work of an organization occurs through the behavior of people, individually or

collectively, on their own or in collaboration with technology (Hampton, Summer, & Webber,

1987). A key to understanding organizational behavior is to study and understand human nature

(Covey, 2006). As Natemeyer and Hersey (2011) point out, there are many determinants of

organizational behavior that can impact human behavior and performance within the

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organization. So much so that one of the most challenging tasks for both a leader and

organization is to understand why people behave and act the way they do (Osland & Turner,

2011).

Organizational behavior provides crucial inferences regarding factors impacting success.

Organizations inevitably influence the behavior of people as well as the feelings and emotions of

the individual, groups, and the organization as a whole (Härtel, Zerbe, & Ashkanasy, 2005;

Natemeyer & Hersey, 2011). Correspondingly, Griffin and O’Leary-Kelly (2004) affirm if we

learn more about the cause-and-effect linkages among organizational behaviors, today’s

managers and organizations would therefore be in a position to better enhance outcomes and

performance. The ability to learn and to transfer knowledge is a key to organizational survival,

adapting rapidly at both the individual and organizational levels is fundamental to managing

effective organizations (Osland & Turner, 2011). Despite countless presumptions about human

behavior or actions, empirical research comes full circle back to the acknowledged assertion that

management practices must be tailored to fit the contingency of the situation and variables when

dealing with organizational behavior (Nelson & Quick, 2011; Schermerhorn, 2010).

Organizational behavior is the foundational bedrock for understanding the interweaving

individual-organizational relationship. Organizational behavior is dynamic, it helps to

understand the behavior of others, predict behaviors, explain observed behaviors in an

organization, and enable others to influence the behavior of their counterparts.

Overview of the Study

Although an extensive amount of research on organizational behavior has been

conducted, no research had yet examined whether micro organizational behaviors or macro

organizational behaviors are perceived more important in an organizational context. With this

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study, the researcher specifically explored the perceptions of micro and macro organizational

behaviors through the lens of classroom teachers and school administrators using aspects of the

policy capturing approach. Policy capturing approach is a research design that researchers

employ who are interested in objectively capturing human judgment policies. The policy

capturing approach allows the researcher to attempt to bridge and juxtapose the macro and micro

organizational behavior domains. The theoretical framework of the study relied heavily on the

contingency theory. Contingency theory is used to view behavior in an organization as the

complex result of many micro and macro behaviors, thus acknowledging the way in which

humans behave in an organization is contingent on many different variables. Subsequently, the

research study hinges on the contingency theory as to whether or not a relationship exists

between the perceptions of classroom teachers and school administrators. The researcher

focused on answering two guiding research questions:

1. How are eight selected organizational behaviors perceived by a teacher?

2. How are eight selected organizational behaviors perceived by an administrator?

The study consisted of 181 participants. The majority of participants were female (58%),

the primary ethnicity of the participants was Caucasian (72%), and the average age of the

participants was 41.4. Of the 181 participants, 167 were teachers (92.3%) and 14 were

characterized as administrators (7.7%). Both the teacher (34.1%) and administrative experience

(42.9%) was found to be in the 1-5 years of experience range.

Summary of the Results

The significance of this research study reveals how eight organizational behaviors are

perceived in an organizational context. Even more specifically, the result of the study shed light

on how four micro and four macro organizational behaviors are perceived differently at

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hierarchal levels. This research data indicates organizational behavior is indeed perceived

differently. As found, males were twice as likely to select macro organizational behaviors when

holding all other variables constant (i.e., holding constant variables such as age, experience,

school, race, and position). Similar in nature, as participants got older they were more likely to

select macro organizational behavior. The findings pointed out those differences even existed

within the same organizational line and even in the same hierarchal position [teacher and

administrator]. The noted cue found to be effective in predicting preference and accepted as the

useful index is micro organizational behavior, specifically creativity, job satisfaction, and stress.

Dissimilar in their perceptions of micro-macro organizational behavior, teachers

perceived micro organizational behavior more important whereas administrators perceived

macro organizational behavior more important. Interestingly, leadership (Wald (1) = 6.058, p <

.05), organizational change (Wald (1) = 6.128, p < .05), and organizational structure (Wald (1) =

6.226, p < .05) were found to be statistically significant in predicting preference therefore

inferring the more important these cues are to the participants the more likely they will prefer

macro organizational behavior. Both job satisfaction (t (168) = 2.78, p < .01) and stress (t (172)

= 2.13, p < .05) had a statistical significance in regards to the perceptions of being more

important than the macro organizational behaviors. Organizational change was found to have a

statistical significance (t (168) = -3.30, p < .01) in regards to how the perceptions of

organizational change was viewed between administrators and teachers. Although not

statistically significant, creativity was found to be weighted by teachers higher than

administrators F(1,169) = .022, p > .05). Correspondingly, leadership had a statistical

significance F(1,169) = 7.46, p < .01) for administrators when weighted.

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Summarizing the findings, participants overall tend to perceive micro organizational

behavior more important than macro organizational behavior. Within the micro organizational

behavior scope, data analyses identified job satisfaction for teachers as the most important, and

leadership the most important for administrators. In the analysis within the macro organizational

behavior scope, data indicated agreement for organizational design as the most important for

both hierarchal levels. Job satisfaction was perceived to be the most important of the eight

organizational behaviors, whereas organizational change was perceived as the least important of

the eight organizational behaviors. All in all, the data results point out the differences in how

both micro and macro organizational behaviors are perceived in an organizational context as well

as perception differences occurring within the subfield of the organizational behavior.

Perceptions Theorization

This particular section, perception theorization, has been interwoven into Chapter 5 for

the sole purpose of expanding the discussion of perceptions. Perception is not discussed in

Chapter 3, but rather embedded at this juncture to provide a foundational understanding into the

realm of perceptions so the results of the study (Chapter 4) are even more understood with

clarity. An extensive amount of research is found in the area of perceptions; however this

succinct overview merely serves as an attempt to explain why the perceptions of organizational

behavior may vary and why OB perception data collected may perhaps provide insightful data

for the leader as well as the organization.

The data gleaned from the research study came from the participants’ perceptions of the

eight organizational behaviors. According to Borkowski (2005), perception is a process by

which individuals organize and interpret their sensory impression in order to give meaning to

their environment. Similarly, Schermerhorn (2010) defined perception as, “The process through

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which people receive, organize, and interpret information from their environment” (p. 84).

Conversely, it should also be explicitly noted that what an individual interprets and perceives

may be considerably different from reality (Borkowski, 2005). Nonetheless, our perceptions of

our environment are influenced by past experiences, beliefs, and expectations (Schermerhorn,

2010). Accurate perceptions can be the impetus for accurate judgments and spot-on decisions,

however if perceptions are misguiding, such actions and behavior can negatively manifest.

Perceptions have a direct and pervasive impact on behavior (Dijksterhuis & van Knippenberg,

1998). Perception is closely related to behavior (Borkowski, 2005). While there is a variance of

responses within the data, understanding perceptions and how perceptions can impact human

behavior in an organization may be quite informative.

When interpreting the results of the data, it is useful to also recognize the precepts of

perception research and the possible contingencies as to why data results may vary from

organization to organization. As Hampton et al. (1987) and Robbins and Judge (2014) point out,

perceptions are affected by a person’s needs, motivations, attitudes, interests, expectations,

experiences, and work situations; contrariwise, perception distortion can also manifest itself from

expectations, needs, fears, and organizing schema. Perceptions are affected in the context in

which people are placed, perceptions are affected by the characteristics of the perceiver and

perceived (Pettinger, 2010). Understandably, data may reveal various organizations perceiving

organizational behaviors differently. Similarly, individuals within the same organization may

respectively perceive organizational behaviors differently. As Reitz (1987) notes, perceptions

are derived from the objects or events being perceived (organizational behavior in this study), the

environment in which the perceptions occur (school setting in this study), and the individual

doing the perceiving (teacher or administrator in this study). Each participant in the research

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sees things in their own way with their own meaning. The perceptions of the participants are

data that describes how they view organizational reality. Perception affects both decisions and

behaviors, which in turn influence organizational practices and processes. Perceptions are very

important for understanding human behavior, for people behave based on their perceptions.

Thus identifying the present perception of the environment helps leaders predict and understand

behavior in the organization (Mustafa, 2013). As Witt (2011) avows, perceptions capture a

mutual relationship between the environment and the perceiver’s abilities. Acknowledging how

organizational behavior is being perceived in an organizational setting is essential for

understanding what factors may be influencing behavior in the organization. Perceptions can

impact the outlook and the actions of each employee (Harris & Hartman, 2002). Thus, it would

be worthwhile for both the leader and the organization to understand what factors affect

employee perceptions regarding the organization.

People’s behavior is based on their perception of what reality is, not on reality itself

(Robbins & Judge, 2014); therefore one’s perception is not an objective representation of the

environment but rather reflects the connection amongst the environment and the perceiver’s

capability to act within it (Witt, 2011). Perceptions of organizational behavior are important

because the perception of the individual regarding organizational behavior influences the manner

in which the individual reacts or performs in the organization. The research study indicates there

is a difference of how the eight organizational behaviors are perceived through the lens of each

participant. Equally important, the data findings reiterate prior research discoveries that

underscore the importance of acknowledging how changing an individual’s perception in an

organization can be an effective way for improving organizational behavior. Acknowledging the

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perceptions of organizational behavior in the workplace can provide very informative data that

may help enhance organizational performance at both a micro level and macro level.

Discussion

Concluding the Eight Studied Organizational Behaviors

Organizations influence people and people influence organizations. Organizational

behavior plays a fundamental role in organizations’ success, survival, and development. The

literature review, as well as previous research, underscores how the eight organizational

behaviors serve as a conduit for improving both organizational and individual performance.

Substantially acknowledged, all eight organizational behaviors have a direct impact on human

behavior, actions, attitudes, thinking, performance, efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity.

The study findings divulge some intriguing information about how eight different organizational

behaviors are perceived in an organizational context. Correspondingly, the data provides

information about how various organizational behaviors were perceived at different hierarchical

levels.

Concluding assertions reiterate the causal effect these eight selected organizational

behaviors could have on the organization and its people. Leadership can greatly affect an

organization (Buckingham, 2005; Collins, 2001; Drucker, 2007; Peters & Waterman, 1984).

Self-assessment ought to be the first action requirement of leadership (Drucker & Collins, 2008).

According to Drucker (1967), a leader must know the most common cause for leadership failure

is the unwillingness or inability to change with the demands of a new position. Leadership

influences and organizes meaning for all constituents in the organization. Leaders are people

who do the right thing, and have a vision that is articulated clearly and forcefully on every

occasion (Peters, 1987). Importantly, a great leader is found to build a strengths-based

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organization (Buckingham & Clifton, 2001); and thus, high-performing organizations are led by

high-performing leaders (Larson, Latham, Appleby, & Harshman, 2012).

While leadership is vital, so is job satisfaction. Not only does job satisfaction impact an

array of individual and organizational outcomes (Nelson & Quick, 2011), job satisfaction is a

contributor to one’s life satisfaction, organizational commitment, and job performance (Dabke,

2014; Fu & Deshpande, 2014). Job satisfaction is irrefutably important to both the organization

and the individual. Similarly, creativity is another impactful organizational behavior. Creativity

is central for innovation (Amabile, Conti, Coon, Lazenby, & Herron, 1996), and innovation is a

cornerstone for both sustainable lasting success and survival of an organization (Henard &

Szymanski, 2001). So much so, that Mumford (2012) affirms that creativity and innovation are

the critical variables in shaping the long-term success of an organization. Stress has found a way

into the lives of innumerable people while simultaneously infiltrating the fabric of countless

organizations. According to Greenberg (2011), the work environment is the number one source

of stress in people’s lives. Stress is found to abound at various levels within the organization

(Sinha & Subramanian, 2012); consequently, if stress is not dealt with appropriately, low job

satisfaction, poor work performance, negative health effects, and diminished perceptions of

personal accomplishment and life satisfaction may emerge (Hayes & Weathington, 2007; Jui-

Chen & Silverthorne, 2008). Bourgeoning stress in the workplace cannot be ignored. Stress

management and prevention are essential if the organization is to thrive. Findings suggest

employees who are healthy and engaged are powerful assets to the organization and make

impactful contributions to the advancement and growth of the organization (Quick, 2013).

While each of the four micro organizational behaviors embody a different notion, each behavior

impacts the output performance of the individual as well as the organization.

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Moving from the micro level to the macro level, organizational behavior maintains a

strong hold on the organization and its people. Organizational structure is crucial. The approach

towards organizing individuals and groups with respect to the job function they execute is

fundamental for performance. As Collins (2009) points out, leaders need to recognize that all

organizational structures have trade-offs and inefficiencies, hence there is no ideal organizational

structure in all situations. Organizational structure impacts the commitment and performance of

an organization. It is a phenomenon that continually changes, and a dynamic element of an

organization that integrates all of its parts and resources (Berkowitz & Wren, 2013; Delić &

Ahmetović, 2013). Organizations are not static, and organizational change is inevitable; it is not

the exception, but the rule (Greenberg, 2011). The work of Pfeffer and Sutton (2000) attest

when dealing with organizational change, leaders ought to be mindful of human tendency, which

at first, when reacting to new and untried ideas will attempt to revert back to the old and

ingrained practices even when it is not in their best interest. Over time a multiplicity of

organizational change efforts, models, and types have been established for application.

However, the cornerstone of effective change begins with the leader in conjunction with an

informed understanding of how effective organizational change comes about (Drucker &

Wartzman, 2010; Fullan, 2008; Peters, 1987).

Organizational development is a conduit for performance improvement; it enables the

organization to be more effective and efficient during the change process (Greenberg, 2013; Hitt

et al., 2011; Nelson & Quick, 2011). Organizational development plays a vital role in the

organization and its people (Robbins & Judge, 2014). The work of Drucker (1993) underscores

one of the most important contributions to organizational development is an effective leader

(Drucker, 1967). The final organizational behavior, organizational design, empowers an

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organization to explore and exploit innovation (Tushman et al., 2010); it is one of the most

complex and difficult tasks, yet is one of the most important tasks for organizational leaders

(Beckman, 2009). Organizational design takes into account three core performance factors:

strategy, organization, and motivation; leveraging the appropriate organizational design

empowers an organization to execute better, learn faster, and change more easily (Myers, 1996).

According to Collins and Porras (1994), organizations might be advised to spend more time

thinking about organizational design. Whether it be at a micro or macro level, organizational

behavior influences a plethora of individual and organizational dynamics, subsequently

penetrating into the fabric of the organization and the behavior of its people. To change human

behavior to improve performance, there has to be an understanding of what drives behavior at the

individual and organizational level—organizational behavior.

Human behavior within the organization is impacted by organizational behavior. The

organization is affected in a two-fold manner: (a) by the individual behavior within the

organization; and (b) by the organization impacting the behavior of the individuals in the

organization. Organizational behavior factions study and apply knowledge of how people act

and behave within an organization; organizational behavior becomes a leadership mindset that

yields organizational benefit, even resulting in a competitive advantage. Organizational behavior

can be applied extensively to the behaviors of people in all types of organizational settings (i.e.,

business, government, schools, non-profits, service organizations, etc.). Taking everything into

account, when you change or improve individual, group, and organizational behavior, you

purposefully attain individual, group, and organizational outcomes. Organizational behavior is a

reciprocal people-organization relationship that can either improve performance or destroy

performance. Recognizing the perceptions of organizational behavior may help to manage

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organizational behavior successfully in today’s ever-changing workforce. By rethinking through

the lens of organizational behavior, one can informatively interpret meaning for their

organization, which in turn can result in well-informed decisions, effective organizational

schemas, and more knowledgeable organizational action. The initial bedrock for organizational

performance, both at the individual and organizational level, is derived from organizational

behavior thinking, leading, and doing; all of which comes from understanding the complexity

and impact of micro and macro organizational behavior.

Insight on Findings of the Study

The findings of the current study substantiate how perceptions of organizational behavior

may vary within an organizational setting. People perceive organizational behavior differently.

Similarly, levels of organizational hierarchy perceive organizational behavior in a different way.

Even more so, each organizational behavior, whether it be micro or macro, were found to be

perceived differently by people. While the data shows that differences do exist in the

perceptions of organizational behavior, acknowledging such findings underscore the importance

of realizing what someone may individually perceive, may starkly contradict the organizational

reality. These data findings are exceptionally insightful to leaders, as the results point out

leaders’ perceptions may clash with the perceptions of the people they lead. Subsequently, this

perception variance may be a contributing factor to organizational ineffectiveness, organizational

conflict, and/or organizational inefficiency.

Organizational behaviors that were found to be weighted higher, as well as perceived

more important to individuals, were micro organizational behaviors. This discovery may suggest

organizational behaviors that are held closest to the individual are seemingly perceived with

greater importance. However as the individual moves up the hierarchal ladder, these data

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findings indicate that macro organizational behaviors become more important to the individual in

regards to weighting as well as perceived importance. This particular finding could be useful as

it points out why a hierarchical division may exist as well as tension within organization

dynamics. Simply put, the leader and the subordinate do not perceive organizational behaviors

congruently; subsequently, a strain may emerge amidst the organization. Moreover, the data

perception variance may suggest as an individual moves up the hierarchical chain, there is a

possibility their lens of the organization becomes wider and more focused on organizational

aspects [macro] rather than personal aspects [micro].

Another point of interest would be that job satisfaction and stress were both found to be

statistically significant and perceived statistically significant. Such findings may infer a need to

purposefully discover what are considered stressors in that particular organization as well as

what elements of job satisfaction allow employees to be satisfied in their job and what variables

are causing employee job dissatisfaction. Each organization may have different trigger points for

stress and job satisfaction. Ascertaining the impetus may improve performance at both the

individual level and organizational level for that organization.

The perceptions of organizational change revealed a noteworthy perception gap between

supervisors and subordinates. The importance of change in an organization is perceived

differently. Such a finding may indicate, or at least imply, organizational change may actually

be a catalyst for high or low job satisfaction as well as increased or decreased levels of stress in

an organization. While leaders may perceive a need for organizational change, the people whom

they are leading are indicating their perception of change in an organization is not an

organizational behavior of such weighted or perceived importance. So it may be possible that

organizational change becomes counterproductive for the organization if the leader of the change

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is not aware of the need for establishing an effective balance, understanding the various

responses people have to change, comprehending the different types of change, and realizing

each type of change comes in different sizes, different scopes, and different levels of complexity.

Considering all things, before enacting organizational change, a leader must step back to ensure

the organizational change does not result in detrimental consequences. Those who are leading

and those who are being led perceive organizational change differently.

Interestingly, leadership was perceived by the leader as more important, whereas the

people being led perceive this micro organizational behavior of less importance in comparison to

their own creativity, stress, and job satisfaction. Application from this finding would align to the

previous notion: organizational behaviors held closer to the individual are weighted, and

preferred, with more importance. With that in mind, it may be possible that within the subfield

of the specific organizational behavior (e.g., micro, macro, and meso), there are organizational

behaviors that are perceived to have a stronger influence on the individual’s wellbeing, thus

resulting in the OB being perceived as more important within that specific subfield. The more

impactful the organizational behavior is to one’s own wellbeing may suggest the more likely the

OB will be preferred and perceived with greater importance to that individual.

Overall, data analyses conclude individuals perceive, and prefer, micro organizational

behavior over macro organizational behavior. Such findings may conjecture organizational

behaviors that have a more personal implication to an employee are perceived more important.

With that in mind, to improve overall organizational performance, leadership may want to

consider initially exploring the micro organizational behaviors strongly first before looking at the

macro level organizational behaviors of the organization. At the outset, addressing

organizational performance from the individual level [micro] may yield more effective

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turnaround results as well as organizational goals being accomplished at a quicker rate. The

findings from the data may be posited that OBs perceived more important to the individual will

be more likely to be received by the individual with a higher level of receptiveness. When

people are more receptive, they are more likely to act rather than demonstrate a state of inertia.

Organizational design, regardless of hierarchical position, was found to be the most

important macro organizational behavior in the descriptive analyses. In response to this finding,

the data suggests the management style or approach used by leadership is perceived to be of

greater importance despite hierarchical position. It is essential that leaders clearly understand

what organizational design is about, and how different organizational designs impact the

individual, the organization, and the overall performance results. According to the data findings,

the management style and approach used by leaders is perceived important as it has an impactful

effect on both the individual and organization. Thus, for a leader to have no conceptualization of

organizational design may unintentionally cause adverse organizational behaviors. Henceforth,

there should be deliberate attention towards selecting the ideal design based upon the numerous

contingencies, circumstances, and contexts in which the organization operates. With both the

leader and the subordinate perceiving organizational design to be of importance, this finding

should be noted and applied.

Lastly, while the results suggest that as people get older they are more likely to select

macro organizational behavior, consideration for this finding may be occurring due to the fact

older people are generally more prone to be serving in supervisory roles. Furthermore the data

could also surmise, as people work longer in an organization they are less likely to perceive or

weight micro organizational behaviors more important because they themselves are more self-

invested in the organization. Perhaps this data finding could infer that as individuals spend a

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longer time in an organization they begin to perceive the organization through a wider

organizational lens as opposed to a narrower individual lens.

Implications

Findings from this study have theoretical and applicable implications with regard to

organizational behavior. While this study supports previous theoretical research in the area of

organizational behavior, the study bolsters the notion of how critical it is to understand the

complexities of organizational behavior fully as well as the impact OB can have on both

individual and organizational performance. The underpinning of the study is centered around the

contingency theory; subsequently, bringing to light how OBs can be perceived differently based

upon contingencies. The findings point towards what organizational behaviors are perceived to

be of greater importance. Furthermore, the results may also be extrapolated as an indicator of

what OBs are being valued in an organizational setting and what OBs are of less importance.

Correspondingly, when perception gaps manifest within the hierarchy of an organization, as data

results indicated, the likelihood of performance being impacted may increase. Just knowing the

organizational behaviors perception gap exists may in itself be a powerful piece of organizational

information to help improve organizational performance. Leaders have a significant impact on

the organization and its people. What is concerning is that many leaders who lead organizations

may have minimal awareness of what organizational behavior is all about and how impactful

organizational behavior can be for the people they lead.

Perhaps the most significant contribution of this study would be this specific area of

research examined the perceptions of organizational behavior in an organizational setting, and

the findings from the study may provide essential application for both practitioners and

researchers. Additionally significant about this research are data findings that reveal

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organizational behaviors are perceived differently through the leader-subordinate lens.

Similarly, the implications of this study call attention towards the different perceptions held

within the subfield of the specific organizational behavior [e.g., micro and macro]. The

applicable results show that organizational behavior is perceived differently, thus empowering

organizations and its leaders to think through a more direct OB lens. In doing so, leaders are

taking a direct OB approach towards organizational performance which may result in a

calculated higher-yielding methodology for improving organizational performance.

In conclusion, the findings indicate certain organizational behaviors are perceived with

greater importance based upon various predictors, cues, and hierarchical position. The literature

review corroborates earlier research by confirming organizational behavior indeed impacts a

plethora of organizational dynamics. Moreover the research study results offer a glimpse as to

how organizational behaviors are being perceived within an organizational context. One of the

most significant implications of this study is the applicable awareness that people perceive OBs

differently, OBs within the subfield are preferred and weighted differently, and perceptions of

organizational behavior provide germane findings that could empower leaders and organizations

to improve both individual and organizational performance.

Recommendations

Leveraging, Understanding, and Managing Organizational Behavior

The current study results provide some meaningful insight into the realm of

organizational behavior. The implications of organizational behavior are compelling. In Chapter

3, the researcher echoes the importance of understanding organizational behavior to improve

performance and human behavior (both at macro and micro levels). There is no such thing as a

silver bullet for improving organizational performance, changing human behavior, or even

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managing organizational behavior. What research does purport is the importance of

understanding and managing organizational behavior in changing times (Hitt et al., 2011; Nelson

& Quick, 2011; Noe, 2013). To manage organizational behavior effectively means to understand

the patterns of behavior at the individual, group, and organizational levels; to predict what

behavior responses will be elicited by different managerial actions; and to use understanding and

prediction to achieve control (Hampton et al., 1987). Organizational behavior is of utmost

concern to anyone who organizes, creates, orders, directs, manages, or supervises the actions of

individuals (Pettinger, 2010). Leveraging organizational behavior through understanding can

empower a leader to leave a lasting imprint on an organization. Correspondingly, leveraging

organizational behavior can directly impact the performance of the individual within the

organization. A strong conceptualization of organizational behavior and how it affects the

performance of the organization is the initial cornerstone towards leveraging organizational

behavior to improve both individual and organizational results.

Improvements in people’s behavior emerge when people are reminded they are valued

and worthwhile (Blanchard & Johnson, 1982). To leverage organizational behavior, a leader

also leverages the self-worth of people. Through understanding individual and collective

behaviors, leaders can shape, manage, and develop behavior so the interest of the individual is

served as well as the organization (Pettinger, 2010). When done properly, organizational

behavior improves organizational effectiveness (Greenberg, 2013). High-involvement

management practices result in increased performance (Pfeffer, 1998). Understanding,

managing, and leveraging organizational behavior yields a high-involvement management

practice. An organizational behavior mindset is a high-yield management approach. Leveraging

organizational behavior optimizes human behavior for organizational results. Understanding and

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managing organizational behavior is a crucial paradigm shift in leadership thinking. That shift in

leadership thinking comes through the direct leveraging of organizational behavior.

Interlocking Organizational Behavior Thinking with High-Performing Attributes

Acknowledged in organizational behavior research is that leveraging organizational

behavior correctly can lead to high-performing organizations. High-performing organizations

effectively apply the tenets of organizational behavior (Kaliprasad, 2006; Sawa & Swift, 2013).

In Chapter 1 a high-performing organization was defined. Organizational behavior is an

unwavering dimension to organizational success; to achieve greatness, research affirmed the

following conclusions about high-performing organizations, its people, and its leader (see

Appendix G). In culmination of this research study, the attributes notated in Table 31 improve

organizational performance. Interlocking both organizational behavior thinking with high

performance research may equip leaders with a competitive advantage while enhancing one’s

organizational knowledge, attitude, and skills for leading an organization. Table 31 identifies

attributes that characterize high-performing organizations, people, and leaders. Interlacing OB

thinking with high-performing notions of thought, may serve as a formula for both individual

and organizational performance.

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Table 31

Attributes of High-Performing Organizations, People, and Leaders

High-Performing Organizations Source

Excel in four primary management practices: clear and focused strategy, impeccable

operational execution, performance-oriented culture, and build a fast, flexible, flat

organizational structure.

Nohria, Joyce, &

Roberson (2003)

Consistently are able to turn knowledge into action, and do so even as they are growing

and taking on new people and even other organizations.

Pfeffer & Sutton (2000)

Hold utmost authenticity to the organization’s ideology; attain consistent alignment to

the ideology; preserve the core and stimulate progress; and articulate both the

organization’s core values and organization’s purpose in their core ideology.

Collins & Porras (1994)

High-Performing People

Find one’s own voice, and inspire others to find their voice. Visionary, exceedingly

disciplined, unrelenting passion, unwavering conscience.

Covey (2006)

Demonstrates a high level of internal motivation, assertiveness, personal enthusiasm

and the individual’s willingness to take a challenging responsibility confidently and

perform it well.

Tener (1993)

Exhibit personality traits of self-awareness, resilience, bravery, embrace change, value

of oneself, and pursue new knowledge.

Elliot (2012)

Possesses superior people skills. Goldsmith (2004)

Self-motivated, enjoy what they do, empower themselves, constantly learning how to

do their job better and takes responsibility for their actions.

Tschohl (1999)

High-Performing Leaders

Manages time, understands what to contribute to the organization, knows where and

how to mobilize strength for the best effect, sets the right priorities, and links them all

together with effective decision-making.

Drucker (1993)

Relentlessly asks questions—why, why, why? Collins (2009)

Possesses a high degree of emotional intelligence. Goleman (1998, 2004)

Exhibit a high focus on systems, high focus on learning from past, high focus on

information, low tolerance for actions that are inconsistent with the values of the

organization and constant motivation to improve organizational performance.

Larson et al. (2012)

Additional High-Performing Research

Effectiveness is learned. Drucker (1993)

An excellent organization have a strong leader, shared values, are fiscally sound, value

innovation, are effective at communication, intuitive, creative, comprise a strong

culture, demonstrate exceptional organizational fluidity, understands that every

individual seeks meaning and exhibits a learning organization.

Peters & Waterman

(1984)

Disciplined creativity and a culture of discipline leads to greatness. Collins (2009)

Note. See Appendix G for a complete listing.

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High performing organizations possess an unrelenting drive to uphold the hallmark

concept of continuous improvement—the belief that anything and everything done in the

organization should be continually improved and evaluated (Schermerhorn, 2010). Improving

performance comes from a multiplicity of facets, yet none more important than the ones derived

from the actions of human behavior that are guided by the organizational systems and structures

in which the leader and the organization create. High-performing organizations do not emerge

by accident but rather through the intentional focus and direction given towards organizational

behavior. Interlocking organizational behavior thinking with high-performing attributes

enhances the organization as well the members of the organization.

Future Exploration into the Field of Organizational Behavior

Organizational behavior provides the essential answers to questions regarding how

individuals, groups, and organizations interconnect so optimal performance and results are

reached. Organizational behavior and organizations affect all aspects of life—economic, social,

political, cultural, religious, communal, and family (Pettinger, 2010). Human behavior is a

function of both the person and the environment (Reitz, 1987). The findings of this research

examined how people perceive the environment in which they exist. The study has only

scratched another surface into the realm of organizational behavior. Further exploration into the

field of organizational behavior could come through specifically studying what contingencies

influence the perceptions of the eight studied organizational behaviors. Findings from the study

revealed how eight OBs were perceived, but it did not explain as to why some organizational

behaviors were perceived with greater importance and why other organizational behaviors are

perceived with less importance. Impending research as to what variables or contingencies allow

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for a perception to be weighted with greater preference or preferred over other OBs could be

quite enlightening to both leaders and organizations.

The study results allowed the researcher to theorize the larger the variance gap in the

perceptions of organizational behavior, the more likely organizational ineffectiveness,

organizational inefficiency, and a larger perception gap between supervisors and subordinates

exist. However, if the perception variance gap is narrower, one could hypothesize that individual

and organizational performance is more effective, more efficient, and less apt to yield high levels

of organizational tension. While this notion is hypothesizing at most, conducting further

research could move the notion from surmising to fact finding.

While this researcher examined the perceptions of organizational behavior, he did not

study if perceptions are held differently based upon high-performing organizations compared to

low-performing organizations (e.g., high-performing schools in comparison to low-performing

schools). Does the type of organization affect the perceptions of organizational behavior? And

if so, to what extent are differences between the two types of organizations found?

Along similar lines, this researcher did not study if a perception gap difference between

economically thriving organizations and fiscally struggling organizations exists (i.e., affluent

schools compared to economically disadvantaged schools or Forbes top 20 Global High-

Performing Companies compared to Forbes list of struggling companies). Essentially, further

research could attempt to answer if perceptions of organizational behavior are perceived,

weighted, and/or preferred differently based upon the economic status of the organization.

Similar research could be replicated by studying the perceptions of organizational

behavior through multi-levels of a hierarchy. For example, rather than just examining the

perceptions of organizational behavior at the campus level, additional research could be

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conducted by examining teachers’ perceptions in comparison to cabinet-level perceptions.

Conducting research in this area may provide meaningful data on how perceptions vary beyond

just one or two hierarchical levels. Could the perception gap become even wider as the hierarchy

becomes taller?

Additionally, should future research ascertain why some organizational behaviors are

perceived with greater importance than others, these data findings at minimal may give

practitioners and researchers invaluable information about what is impacting performance at the

micro and macro level. For example, the participants used in this study come from a field of

work where high attrition is rampant; results indicated job satisfaction and stress were perceived

with greater importance. One could surmise the attrition rate in this profession is elevated

because of higher job dissatisfaction and increased levels of stress, therefore making these two

particular OBs of research interest. Along those lines, this researcher recommends delving

deeper into the results of this study to see what variables perhaps are causing stress and job

satisfaction to be perceived with considerable importance. Correspondingly, this researcher

suggests expanding this research in the realm of discovering what variables are actually

impacting one’s perceptions towards specific organizational behaviors.

The data findings indicate job satisfaction and stress were perceived and weighted with

greater importance. As a result, it may be possible these two particular OBs are more

significantly impactful to an organization’s performance levels than initially thought. So much

so, one could hypothesize low performing organizations will be found to yield perception data

that indicates job satisfaction and stress to be perceived with substantially greater importance

than higher performing organizations. Subsequently, future research should be conducted

simultaneously in two areas: the first area, analyzing if job satisfaction and stress are perceived

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differently based upon an organization’s performance level; and the second area being, exploring

whether poor organizational performance is characteristic of organizations where their

perception data shows job satisfaction and stress to be of greater importance. Future research

should attempt to answer if low performing organizations perceive job satisfaction and stress

with greater importance in their OB perception data. It may be conceivable that employees in

low performing organizations are more likely to be dissatisfied in their job and more likely to be

overly stressed, consequently impacting the overall organization’s performance results.

Additionally recommended for extended research would be the following two inquiries:

first, how might two different industries (i.e. education compared to banking or manufacturing)

perceive organizational behavior in an organizational context?; and secondly, does a difference

in OB perceptions exist in different lines of work? While this area of research has limited

exploration, the findings may contribute substantially in the field of organizational behavior.

This area of research builds upon prior research as to how perceptions of organizational

behavior are being perceived within an organizational setting. As result, there are many

recommendations for future research, however none more important than acknowledging when

perception data are gathered, such as it was in this study, it is not the end point for individual or

organizational improvement answers but rather the starting point for asking the why question and

discovering the how answer. A great deal can be learned about the perceptions of organizational

behavior, and much of OB perception data has yet to be discovered. While future research

probes into the perceptions of organizational behavior in an organizational setting, the results

must never dismiss the fact that each organization may have different contingencies that yield

different OB perception data.

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Concluding Thoughts

Organizational behavior changes human behavior. When behavior is changed; habits and

thinking are changed. And when behavior, habits, and thinking change, human performance can

change the results of the organization. Correspondingly, the organization can and will impact the

behavior of humans. While it may seem as a tug-and-pull relationship, it does not necessarily

have to be that way. Behavior in an organization is understood when we understand the context

of that behavior (Pfeffer & Salancik, 1978). While the review of literature helps to expand one’s

knowledge and understanding into the world of organizational behavior, it must not supersede

the fact that a leader is the critical factor in building a strong workplace (Buckingham &

Coffman, 1999). And a cornerstone to building a strong workplace is a leader who can

effectively manage organizational behavior in the ever-changing workplace (Greenberg, 2013).

While the research findings only scratch the surface as to how organizational behavior is

perceived, the findings point out OB perceptions are perceived with importance differently. For

that reason, leaders must realize their leadership actions, decisions, and behaviors can impact

both the organization and its people at the micro as well as a macro level. This empirical study

reveals those being led and those who are leading may not always perceive organizational

behavior harmoniously. However despite the perception variances, it is the unrelentingly pursuit

of leveraging organizational behavior leadership and OB thinking that will yield the greatest

results.

Pfeffer and Sutton (2000) avow that so often organizations prefer to talk, conceptualize,

and rationalize about issues and problems rather than confront them directly. In response to this

assertion, and the probable likelihood that OB perception differences are found in most

organizations, OB leaders are charged with, “The greatest leaders do seek growth—growth in

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performance, growth in distinctive impact, growth in creativity, growth in people—but they do

not succumb to growth that undermines long-term value. And they certainly do not confuse

growth with excellence” (Collins, 2009, p. 54). The underpinnings of this study are deeply-

rooted on: the growth of leaders to better understand, manage, and leverage organizational

behavior. For it is talented employees who need great leaders, and great leaders exemplify

discipline, focus, trust, and perhaps most importantly a willingness to individualize (Buckingham

& Coffman, 1999). Moreover, this research study concludes, as well as conjectures, great

leaders are the organizational behavior leaders who will use these findings to improve the human

behavior in the organization they lead.

In closing, Covey (2006) shares there is a stark difference between leadership that works,

and leadership that endures. Failure to recognize the effect of organizational behavior may cause

short-lived leadership. There are three key performance areas that are needed in every great

organization: direct results, building value and affirmation, and growing and developing people

for tomorrow (Drucker, 1985). All three performance areas are directly connected to aspects of

organizational behavior, along with the leader’s ability to leverage and manage OB. While

organizational behavior is crucial, the work of Blanchard and Johnson (1983) point out how vital

it is to care about people and their results. Organizational behavior is all people-centered. For

without question, the inability to recognize, care, value, or conceptualize organizational

behavior, can be and most likely will be in due time, the demise of organizational performance

and leadership effectiveness. To improve individual and organizational performance, the

organizational behavior leader becomes one with the organization and the environment. For

when leaders realize perceptions vary they can improve realities; and when leaders improve

realities, they can then improve results. As Gladwell (2002) asserts, “What must underlie

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successful epidemics, in the end, is the bedrock belief that change is possible, and that people

can radically transform their behavior or beliefs in the face of the right kind of impetus” (p. 258).

The right impetus being just that—organizational behavior leadership, a leadership thinking that

leverages and manages organizational behavior to drive unprecedented results.

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APPENDIX A

DIFFERENTIATING ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR SUBFIELDS

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Table A.1

Differentiating Organizational Behavior Subfields

Micro Organizational

Behavior

Focused on individuals working

alone or working in groups

Macro Organizational

Behavior

Focused on action of the group

or an organization as a whole

Meso Organizational

Behavior

Focused on behavior within

groups and teams

Individual differences

Adaptability

Demographic experience

Cultural experience

Muscular strength

Endurance

Movement quality

Verbal ability

Quantitative ability

Reasoning ability

Spatial ability

Conscientiousness

Agreeableness

Openness

Extroversion

Emotional stability

Organizational power

Reward

Coercive

Legitimate

Referent (Charismatic)

Expert

Structural

Uncertainty reduction

Substantiality

Centrality

Interdependence

Pooled

Sequential

Reciprocal

Comprehensive

Personality characteristics

Extroversion

Emotional stability

Agreeableness

Conscientiousness

Openness to experience

Organizational politics Organizational roles

Functional

Hierarchical

Inclusionary

(continued)

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Micro Organizational

Behavior

Focused on individuals working

alone or working in groups

Macro Organizational

Behavior

Focused on action of the group

or an organization as a whole

Meso Organizational

Behavior

Focused on behavior within

groups and teams

Diversity

Ethnicity

Cultural

Race

Organizational conflict Communication

Encoding

Transmission

Decoding

Perception Structural interdependence Efficiency

Decision making Organizational structure

Prebureaucratic

Bureaucratic

Postbureacratic

Simple undifferentiated

Simple differentiated

Functional

Divisional

Matrix

Mulitunit

Modular

Virtual

Motivation

Motivation factors

Hygiene factors

Creativity Hierarchy & Centralization

Tall hierarchy

Flat hierarchy

Integration

Differentiation

Work Design

Work motivation Organizational design

Mechanistic

Organic

Group dynamics

Functional grouping

Work flow grouping

Group development

Initiation

Differentiation

Integration

Maturity

Process loss

Group synergy

(continued)

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Micro Organizational

Behavior

Focused on individuals working

alone or working in groups

Macro Organizational

Behavior

Focused on action of the group

or an organization as a whole

Meso Organizational

Behavior

Focused on behavior within

groups and teams

Job Performance Technology Team effectiveness

Task structure

Communication structure

Group size

Group composition

Group motivation

Group cohesiveness

Group conflict

Job satisfaction External environment Leadership

Leader traits

Energy level

Cognitive ability

Technical skills

Knowledge

Leader decision-making styles

Authoritarian

Democratic

Laissez-faire

Leader behaviors

Employee-oriented

Job-oriented

Leadership styles

Leadership characteristics

Extroverted

Conscientious

Emotionally stable

Open to experience

Leadership Leadership Leadership

Stress Organizational culture

Attitudes Organizational change

Turnover & Absenteeism Organizational development

Note. Leadership is repeatedly notated in micro organizational behavior and meso organizational behavior. Some

research has even placed leadership under macro organizational behavior. Sources: Greenberg (2011); Miner (2006);

Pfeffer (1991); Sims (2002); Staw (1991); Wagner and Hollenbeck (2005)

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APPENDIX B

DEFINING ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR

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Table B.1

Organizational Behavior – Definitions and References

Reference Definition of organizational behavior

Greenberg, 2011, p. 3 Multidisciplinary field that seeks knowledge of behavior in organizational

settings by systematically studying individual, group, and organizational

processes.

Miner, 2005; Miner, 2006 Focuses on the behavior and nurture of people within an organization. An

applied social science discipline that is concerned with the interplay of

practice and application. Organizational behavior is not strategic

management, economics, or philosophy.

Owens, 1998, p. 21 A discipline that seeks to describe, understand, and predict human behavior in

the environment of formal organizations.

Nelson & Quick, 2009, p.3 Study of individual behavior and group dynamics in an organization,

primarily focusing on the psychosocial, interpersonal, and behavioral

dynamics in organizations.

Wagner & Hollenbeck, 2005 Focuses on observable behaviors that involve an analysis of how people

behave both as individuals and as members of groups and organizations. A

field of study that attempts to understand, explain, predict, and change human

behavior as it occurs with the organizational milieu.

Sims, 2002 Actions and attitudes of people in an organization.

Wilson, 2001 Examines the interface between the individual, other individuals and groups

within the organization.

Colquitt et al., 2009, p. 7 A field of study devoted to understanding, explaining, and ultimately

improving the attitudes and behaviors of individuals and groups in

organizations.

Bowditch & Buono, 2001 Study of people, groups, and their interactions in an organization.

Robbins & Judge, 2007, p. 9 A field of study that investigates the impact that individuals, groups, and

structure have on behavior within organizations, for the purpose of applying

such knowledge toward improving an organization’s effectiveness.

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APPENDIX C

STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS/CHANGE MANAGEMENT MODELS

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Table C.1

Strategic Planning Process/Change Management Models

Change Management Models

McKinsey7-S Framework

STEPS

1. Shared values

2. Strategy

3. Structure

4. Systems

5. Style

6. Staff

7. Skills

Peters and Waterman (1984)

Kotter’s Change Management

STEPS

1. Establish a sense of urgency

2. Form a powerful guiding

coalition

3. Create a vision

4. Communicate vision

5. Empower others to act on the

vision

6. Plan for and create short-term

wins

7. Consolidate improvements and

produce still more change

8. Institutionalize new approaches

Kotter (1995, 1996, 2012)

Lewin’s Change Management

STEPS

1. Unfreezing – recognize a need

for change

2. Changing – implement the

planned change

3. Freezing – accept newly

changed state

Lewin (1947)

Seven Steps to Change

STEPS

1. Mobilize energy and

commitment through joint

identification of problems and

solutions

2. Develop shared vision of how

to organize and manage

competitiveness

3. Identify leadership

4. Focus on results, not on

activities

5. Start change at the periphery,

let it spread to other units

without pushing it from the top

6. Institutionalize success from

formal policies, systems, and

structures

7. Monitor and adjust strategies in

response to problems in the

change process

Luecke (2003)

Coghlan and MacAuliffe Model of

Large System Change

STEPS

1. Develop a plan

2. Provide a vision for the future

3. Articulate vision and deliver

implementation plan

4. Communicate vision and

details of the plan to

stakeholders

5. Gain support of plan

6. Position the appropriate

arrangements in place to

facilitate implementation

7. Implement changes

8. Embed the change in the

organization

O’Shea, McAuliffe, & Wyness

(2007)

Model of Change

STEPS

1. Analyze the organization and

its need for change

2. Create vision and common

direction

3. Separate the past

4. Create sense of urgency

5. Support a strong leader role

6. Line up political sponsorship

7. Craft an implementation plan

8. Develop enabling structures

9. Communicate, be honest and

involve people

10. Reinforce and institutionalize

change

Kanter, Stein, & Jick (1992)

(continued)

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Change Management Models

Seven Stages of Six Sigma

Implementation

STEPS

1. Envisioning

2. Strategizing

3. Developing

4. Implementing

5. Improving

6. Sustaining

7. Abandoning

Moosa & Sajid (2010)

6 Step Change Management

Process

STEPS

1. Identify a best practice

operating model

2. Implement a comprehensive

governance structure

3. Aggressively transition to the

new organization structure

4. Proactively manage

stakeholders, communication

and employee engagement

5. Define and implement new

business processes

6. Develop employee capabilities

and reinvent the culture

Halm (2014)

Change Management Strategic

Framework: A Six-Step Process

STEPS

1. Prepare the organization

2. Develop a vision and

implementation plan

3. Checking

4. Communicate plan and engage

workforce

5. Implementation

6. Evaluation

Price & Chahal (2006)

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APPENDIX D

LENS MODEL SINGLE SYSTEM DESIGN

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Figure D.1 provides a visual representation of the Lens Model and the fundamental

components that make this model a useful tool when utilizing the policy capturing approach.

Lens Model

Single System Design

CUES

ECOLOGY SUBJECT

(CRITERION UNKNOWN JUDGMENTS OR UNMEASURED)

Source: (Cooksey, 1996a)

Figure D.1. Lens model – single system design. Source: (Cooksey, 1996a)

Cue Utilization

Validities

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APPENDIX E

MATHEMATICAL FORMULATION OF BRUNSWIK’S LENS MODEL

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When delving deeper into analysis of the Lens model, there is a mathematical

formulation of the Brunswik’s lens model, within the linear framework that denotes both the

judgments and the criterion being judged as functions of cues in the environment.

Figure E.1. Mathematical formulation of Brunswik’s lens model. Diagram from Hogarth &

Karelaia (2007). Copyright 2007 by the American Psychological Association. See “The

Mathematical Formulation of Brunswik’s Lens Model” section of the introductory text for a

description of terms.

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APPENDIX F

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR DETERMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN

ADMINISTRATOR AND TEACHER PERCEPTIONS OF MICRO AND MACRO

ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR IN AN ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING

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160

MICRO AND MACRO ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR

PERCEPTIONS QUESTIONNAIRE

Demographical Data

INSTRUCTIONS: Information on this questionnaire will remain confidential and anonymous.

Please check one space for each item that best applies.

Gender: Male _____ Female _____ Year of Birth: __________

Race/Ethnicity:

African American or Black _____ Hispanic, Latino/a, or Spanish Origin_____

Asian American _____ Caucasian or White _____

Pacific Islander _____ American Indian or Alaska Native _____

Other (please specify): ______________

Employment:

Teaching Experience (include this year) _____

Administrative Experience (include this year) _____

Principal (check box) _____

Assistant Principal (check box) _____

QUESTIONNAIRE INSTRUCTIONS: You will be provided 34 questions. The 34

questions will consist of Likert scale questions, scenario questions, closed-ended filter questions, and

a weighting question. This is not a test. There are no correct answers. In spite of the fact there may

be other influencing factors, please use the information provided to indicate how you perceive the

micro and macro organizational behaviors. Circle responses you perceive to be accurate.

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161

LIKERT SCALE QUESTIONS: For this questionnaire exercise, read the Likert scale

question, evaluate the statement, and then circle your response on the organizational behavior.

There is no right answer. It is not a test. Below is the criteria coding scale:

1 = strongly disagree

6 = strongly agree

1. An employee’s professional development and/or training(s) are more important on the

performance of the organization than the leadership of that organization.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

2. An employee’s positive and/or negative feelings, attitudes, and emotions about their job

are more important than if the organization improves efficiency, effectiveness, and

performance as a result of planned or unplanned changes within the organization.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

3. The ability for employees to generate or recognize new ideas, alternatives, or possibilities

on the job is less important than the way an organization arranges people within the

organization (i.e. teams, departments, units, branches, networks) to improve its

performance.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

4. The leadership of an organization is more important than the way in which people work

together (i.e. teams, departments, units, branches, networks) within the organization.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

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162

5. Organizational systems and processes that improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the

organization are more important than an employee’s ability to generate or recognize new

ideas, alternatives, or possibilities on the job.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

6. Employee training/professional development aimed to improve the skills, activities,

thinking and/or processes of its employees that make the organization more efficient and

effective is more important than the employee’s emotional and physiological reactions

that occur in response to the training/professional development.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

7. To improve the performance of an organization the leadership is more important than the

employee’s professional development.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

8. It is less important if employees lose their ability to generate new ideas, alternatives, or

possibilities on the job than if the organization improves its performance by the way in

which people are arranged within the organization (i.e. teams, departments, units,

branches, and networks).

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

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163

9. The processes and systems that achieve the vision, mission, and goals of the organization

are more important than the employee’s emotional and physiological reactions that occur

as a result of the processes and systems that improve the efficiency and effectiveness in

the organization.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

10. Planned or unplanned changes (i.e. changes in technology, organization’s vision and

mission, personnel) in the organization are more important than the leadership of the

organization during the change process.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

11. The emotional and physiological reaction to change in an organization (i.e. new

technology, reorganization, changes in leadership) is more important than the planned or

unplanned changes that lead to improved performance within the organization.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

12. The way an organization arranges employees (i.e. teams, departments, units, branches,

networks) to improve organizational performance is more important than if employees

experience positive or negative feelings, attitudes, and/or emotions about their job as a

result of the arrangement of employees in the organization.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

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164

13. Professional development/training that enhances the skill level of its employees and helps

the organization become more efficient and effective is more important than the ability

for employees to generate or recognize new ideas, alternatives, or different ways to solve

problems in their job.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

SCENARIO QUESTIONS: For this questionnaire exercise, read the scenario and then

respond to the scenario statement based on the scenario you read. Circle the answer that you feel

best indicates your perception on the organizational behavior. There is no right answer. It is not

a test. Below is the criteria coding scale:

1 = strongly disagree

6 = strongly agree

14. The leaders in an organization make significant organizational changes that improve the

efficiency, effectiveness, and performance of the organization. However as a result of

these changes there is a significant decrease in the positive feelings, attitudes, and

emotions that employees now experience as a result of the organizational changes.

Intended or unintended changes in an organization that improve the efficiency,

effectiveness, and performance of the organization are more important than the feelings,

attitudes, and emotions that employees experience as a result of the changes in the

organization.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

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165

15. The Board of Trustees is strongly considering the hiring of a new leader or redesigning

the organization to make it more efficient and effective. Both aspects are important for

improved performance results. After much discussion the Board agrees that integrating

the people, information, and systems is the most effective and efficient way to achieve

organizational goals.

The integration of people, information, structures, culture and systems in an organization

is more important than the leadership of the organization.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

16. An organization has experienced significant performance results because of new

professional development and training for its employees. However, many employees in

that organization have now experienced a decrease in their emotional and physiological

wellbeing as a result of the new professional development and training. Due to the

improved performance results, the organization decides to keep moving forward with

new professional development and training.

When the organization is experiencing significant performance results, professional

development and training is more important than an employee’s emotional and

physiological wellbeing.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

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166

17. Many of the employees in an organization are feeling overwhelmed, burned out, and

experiencing health related issues. According to the employees they state their emotional

and physiological reactions are coming from the way the in which the organization

arranges employees (i.e. teams, departments, units, branches, networks). The

rearrangement of employees in the organization has improved productivity, efficiency,

and effectiveness in the organization.

When the organization experiences improved performance as a result of the formal

configuration of people (i.e. teams, departments, units, branches, networks) it is more

important than the emotional and physiological reactions that comes from the way in

which people are arranged in the organization.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

18. An organization has found a way to integrate people, information, and systems in an even

more effective and efficient manner to achieve the organizational goals. Consequently,

the new management approach will take away the employees ability to generate or

recognize new ideas, alternatives, or possibilities on the job.

A management style or approach that makes an organization more efficient and effective

is more important than if the employees lose their ability to be artistic, imaginative, and

inventive on the job.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

19. Employees in an organization feel it is more important they receive high quality training

that will improve their personal skills, thinking, and decision making on the job; rather

than who the organization hires as their next leader.

The leadership in an organization is less important than the professional development or

training of its employees.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

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20. Data reports indicate an organization has improved their efficiency and effectiveness by

integrating people, information systems, and organizational systems in a better process;

however the new process has caused employees in the organization to have more

negative feelings, attitudes, and emotions towards their job.

A person’s feelings, attitudes, and emotions about their job are more important than the

organizational processes and systems that improve overall efficiency and effectiveness.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

21. An organization has restructured, now putting employees in teams, departments, units,

branches, and networks. As a result of this organizational restructuring, employees have

lost their ability to generate or recognize new ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that lead

to problem solving on the job. However, the restructuring has improved the performance

of the organization.

The ability for employees to be artistic, imaginative, inventive, and innovative on the job

is less important than if the organization is efficient, effective, and more productive as a

result of the formal configurations in the organization.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

22. Employees begin to experience heightened levels of emotional and physiological anxiety

as a result of operational changes, strategy changes, and management changes in the

organization. In spite of this, the new changes in the organization have resulted in

exceptional organizational performance and results.

The new changes in the organization are more important than the employee’s emotional

and physiological anxiety because of the improved organizational performance and

results.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

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168

23. In the last ten years an organization has experienced great success as a result of utilizing

people, information and systems in the most effective and efficient manner to achieve the

organizational goals. The organization has also had the same excellent leader for ten

years. The excellent leader is going to retire. All employees are concerned about the

new leader coming in and all employees are concerned about the inability of the

organization to continue utilizing people, information and systems in the most efficient

and effective manner to achieve the organizational goals.

Leadership is more important than the way in which people, information, and systems are

integrated in the organization.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

24. Employees have been told there will be organizational restructuring that is going to

improve the performance, efficiency, and effectiveness of the organization as well as how

employees do their job. Consequently, the restructuring in the organization will take

away the employee’s ability to generate or recognize new ideas, alternatives, or

possibilities that lead to problem solving.

The ability for employees to be artistic, imaginative, inventive, and innovative on the job

is more important than organizational restructuring that improves the performance,

efficiency, and effectiveness of the organization.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

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169

25. Employees in an organization have extremely positive feelings, attitudes, and emotions

towards their job. The organization wants to offer its employees a proven professional

development that will improve their knowledge, skills, decision-making, and ability to do

their job more effectively and efficiently. The professional development will improve the

performance of the organization significantly. However, the likelihood of employees

experiencing negative feelings, attitudes, and emotions towards their job is definite.

The positive feelings, attitudes, and emotions towards one’s job are more important than

the professional development and training that improves efficiency, effectiveness,

productivity and performance of an organization.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

26. An organization underwent restructuring to improve the processes in which people,

information, and systems were interacting. As result the organization has quickly

experienced improved efficiency, effectiveness, and organizational performance.

Consequently, one significant drawback is the physical, emotional, and mental

exhaustion employees have experienced since the restructuring.

One’s emotional and physiological well-being is more important than the improved

efficiency, effectiveness, and organizational performance that come from the way in

which people, information, and systems interact.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

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170

27. An organization is performing very poorly. Systems and processes in the organization

are ineffective. The leadership in the organization is also quite ineffective. To improve

their performance, the organization must decide to experience some immediate planned

and unplanned changes to the systems and processes within the organization or to

experience a change in leadership.

To improve organizational performance, the leadership in an organization is more

important than the planned and/or unplanned changes to systems/processes in an

organization.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

28. Employees are able to receive training that will improve their knowledge, skills, thinking,

and decision making on the job. The training will improve organizational efficiency,

effectiveness, and productivity. However, this training will take away the employees

ability to be artistic, imaginative, inventive, and innovative on the job.

Employee training and professional development that improves organizational

performance is more important than if an employee loses his/her ability to be artistic,

imaginative, inventive, and innovative on the job as a result of the training/professional

development.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

29. An organization has arranged employees in teams, departments, units, branches, and

networks. As a result, there has been improved performance, efficiency, effectiveness

and productivity in the organization. Regrettably, the way employees have been grouped

has now resulted in negative feelings, attitudes, and emotions towards their job.

Arranging employees and groups of employees to improve organizational performance is

more important than employees who experience negative feelings, attitudes, and emotions

towards their job as a result of being arranged in teams, departments, units, branches,

and/or networks.

1

2 3 4 5 6

strongly

disagree

disagree somewhat

disagree

somewhat

agree

agree strongly

agree

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171

CLOSED-ENDED FILTER QUESTIONS: For this questionnaire exercise, read the

closed-ended filter question and provide your perception on the organizational behavior. There

is no right answer. It is not a test.

30. What do you perceive to be more important? (Circle the statement you agree with most)

Organizational behaviors that focus on the individual or working in groups.

or

Organizational behaviors that focus on the organization as a whole.

OB’s that focus on the individual OB’s that focus on the organization

Creativity

Job Satisfaction

Leadership

Stress

Organizational Change

Organizational Development

Organizational Design

Organizational Structure

31. Of the four organizational behaviors listed below, which ONE do you feel is the most

important for improving your performance on the job: leadership, creativity, job

satisfaction, or stress? Please only circle one.

Creativity Leadership Stress Job Satisfaction

Of the four organizational behaviors listed below, which ONE do you perceive to be the

most important for improving organizational performance: organizational structure,

organizational design, organizational change, or organizational development? Please only

circle one.

Organizational Change Organizational Design

Organizational Development Organizational Structure

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172

Organizational change – planned or unplanned changes in the organization

Organizational design – management style or approach used by leadership to implement or

support the organizational structure; including organizational

systems and processes that improve the effectiveness and

efficiency of the organization

Organizational development – professional development intended to enhance the personal

development of individuals and improve the effectiveness and

efficiency of the organization

Organizational structure – formal configuration in which individuals and groups are arranged

in an organization (i.e. teams, departments, units, branches, and

networks)

32. Look at the box below. Circle the ONE organizational behavior that you perceive to be

the most important for improving organizational performance. Please only circle one.

Job Satisfaction Organizational Change

Organizational Development Stress

Creativity Organizational Structure

Organizational Design Leadership

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173

WEIGHTING QUESTION: For this questionnaire exercise, please distribute 100 points

for each of the two types of organizational behaviors (micro and macro), based on the weight

you perceive the organizational behavior should get. There is no right or wrong weighting.

33. Weight the following based on what you perceive would be the estimate of the relative

weight you would give each organizational behavior; the sum needs to be 100.

Micro

Organizational Behavior

Macro

Organizational Behavior

Creativity

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

Organizational

Change

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

Job Satisfaction

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

Organizational

Development

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

Leadership

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

Organizational

Design

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

Stress

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

100

Organizational

Structure

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

100

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174

APPENDIX G

HIGH-PERFORMING ORGANIZATIONS, HIGH-PERFORMING PEOPLE,

AND HIGH-PERFORMING LEADERS

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175

Table G.1

High-performing Organizations, High-performing People, and High-performing Leaders

High-Performing Source

Organizations

Excel in four primary management practices: clear and focused

strategy, impeccable operational execution, performance-oriented

culture, and build a fast, flexible, flat organizational structure.

Nohria, Joyce, & Roberson

(2003)

The organization is focused on the cornerstone of intellectual

capital, the knowledge, expertise, and energy available from their

members in the organization.

Schermerhorn (2010)

Put people first in the organization. Pfeffer (1998)

Not only recognize that each employee is different, but also

capitalizes on employee’ differences.

Buckingham & Clifton

(2001)

Consistently are able to turn knowledge into action, and do so

even as they are growing and taking on new people and even

other organizations.

Pfeffer & Sutton (2000)

Recognize that people are the decisive bedrock to sustainable

high performance results.

Schermerhorn (2010)

Hold utmost authenticity to the organization’s ideology; attain

consistent alignment to the ideology; preserve the core and

stimulate progress; and articulate both the organization’s core

values and organization’s purpose in their core ideology.

Collins & Porras (1994)

People

Tend to be task-related rather than relationship driven. Pettinger (2010)

Proactive, take responsibility for their choices, change agent,

begin with the end in mind, put first things first, prioritize

urgencies, think win/win, think opportunity rather than scarcity,

seek first to understand, then to be understood, and synergize.

Covey (2004)

Exceedingly hardworking, often lucky to be in the right place at

that right time, and spend more than 10,000 hours of working on

a skill.

Gladwell (2008)

(continued)

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176

High-Performing Source

People, Cont.

Find one’s own voice, and inspire others to find their voice.

Visionary, exceedingly disciplined, unrelenting passion,

unwavering conscience.

Covey (2006)

Demonstrates a high level of internal motivation, assertiveness,

personal enthusiasm and the individual’s willingness to take a

challenging responsibility confidently and perform it well.

Tener (1993)

Exhibit personality traits of self-awareness, resilience, bravery,

embrace change, value of oneself, and pursue new knowledge.

Elliot (2012)

Possesses superior people skills. Goldsmith (2004)

Self-motivated, enjoy what they do, empower themselves,

constantly learning how to do their job better and takes

responsibility for their actions.

Tschohl (1999)

Demonstrates a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset. Dweck (2008)

Consistently renew themselves in four basic areas: physical,

social/emotional, mental and spiritual, problem-solve and

embrace individual differences.

Covey (2004)

One’s culture, one’s family, one’s generation, and the personal

experiences of one’s upbringing impact one’s performance

success.

Gladwell (2008)

Leaders

Manages time, understands what to contribute to the

organization, knows where and how to mobilize strength for the

best effect, sets the right priorities, and links them all together

with effective decision-making.

Drucker (1993)

Relentlessly asks questions—why, why, why? Collins (2009)

Possesses a high degree of emotional intelligence. Goleman (1998, 2004)

Recognizes that leadership is a shared responsibility by all

members of the organization.

Drucker & Collins (2008)

(continued)

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177

High-Performing Source

Leaders, Cont.

Never believes they have reached ultimate success because they

realize they have never understood all the factors that have

brought them success in the first place.

Collins (2009)

Exhibit a high focus on systems, high focus on learning from

past, high focus on information, low tolerance for actions that are

inconsistent with the values of the organization and constant

motivation to improve organizational performance.

Larson et al. (2012)

Additional Research

Improved performance is derived by the leader and the

organization understanding the individual’s growth and

development needs, and then providing performance-contingent

opportunities for the individual to fulfill those needs.

Griffin & O’Leary-Kelly

(2004)

There are more ways to fall then be great, and sustained

performance is found by understanding how greatness can be

lost.

Collins (2009)

Effectiveness is learned. Drucker (1993)

An excellent organization have a strong leader, shared values, are

fiscally sound, value innovation, are effective at communication,

intuitive, creative, comprise a strong culture, demonstrate

exceptional organizational fluidity, understands that every

individual seeks meaning and exhibits a learning organization.

Peters & Waterman (1984)

Disciplined creativity and a culture of discipline leads to

greatness.

Collins (2009)

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178

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