Learning about Organizational Behavior

Organizational Behavior

What is Organizational Behavior?

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 organizations effectiveness.

Provides a set of tools that allow people to understand, analyze, describe, predict, and control behaviors.

Framework for Studying Organizational Behavior

The three levels of study in Organizational Behavior are:

Organizational Systems & Global1 - Individual Level Interpersonal Relations Level Environment 2 - Groups &

Framework for Studying Organizational Behavior

1 - Individual Level

Individual differences
Learning, perception and attribution Attitudes, values and ethics Creativity Motivation

Framework for Studying Organizational Behavior

2 - Groups & Interpersonal Relations Level

Communication
Group dynamics Teams Leadership Conflict, stress and well-being Power, politics and influence

Framework for Studying Organizational Behavior

3 - Organizational Systems & Global Environment Level

Structure and design

Culture Change and knowledge management Cultural diversity

Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

Effective leaders need to develop and support employees organizational competencies throughout the organization, individual, and groups.

A competency is an interrelated set of abilities, behaviors, attitudes, and knowledge needed by an individual to be effective in professional and managerial positions.

A number of competencies of Ob is identified as follows:

Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

3 Managing Diversity 2 Managing Communication 4 Managing Ethics 1 Managing Self 6 Managing Teams 5 Managing Acros

7 Managing Change

Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

1 Managing Self

The overall ability to:

Assess your own strengths and weaknesses. Set and pursue professional and personal goals. Balance work and personal life. Engage in new learningincluding new or modified skills, behaviors, and attitudes.

Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

Core Abilities in Managing Self Competency

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Understanding personality and attitudes.

Perceiving, appraising, and interpreting accurately. Understanding work-related motivations and emotions. Assessing and establishing developmental, life-related, and work-related goals. Taking responsibility for managing your career.

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Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

2 Managing Communication

The overall ability to use all the modes of transmitting, understanding, and receiving ideas, thoughts, and feelingsverbal, listening, nonverbal, written, electronic, and the likefor accurately transferring and exchanging information and emotions.

Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

Core Abilities in Managing Communication

1.

Conveying information, ideas, and emotions to others.

Providing constructive feedback to others. Engaging in active listening. Using and interpreting nonverbal communication. Engaging in verbal communication.

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Engaging in written communication.

Using a variety of computer-based information

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Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

3 Managing Diversity

Competency

The overall ability to value unique individual and group characteristics, embrace such characteristics as potential sources of organizational strength, and appreciate the uniqueness of each individual.
Ability to help people work effectively together even though their interests and backgrounds may be quite diverse.

Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

Core Abilities in Managing Diversity

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Fostering an environment of inclusion.

Learning from others differences. Supporting diversity. Working with others because of their talents and contributions.

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Providing leadership in addressing diversity.

Applying diversity laws, regulations, and policies.

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Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

Selected Categories of Diversity Primary Categories
Age Race

Secondary Categories
Education

Ethnicity
Gender Physical Abilities Sexual Orientation

Work Experience
Income Marital Status Religious Beliefs Geographic Location Parental Status Behavioral Style Other

Effects on Organizational Behavior

Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

4 Managing Ethics

The overall ability to incorporate values and principles that distinguish right from wrong in making decisions and choosing behaviors.

Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

Core Abilities in Managing Ethics

1.

Identify and describe the principles of ethical decision

making and behavior.

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Assess the importance of ethical issues in actions.

Apply laws, regulations, and organizational rules in making decisions and taking action.

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Demonstrate dignity and respect for others.

Demonstrate honest and open communication limited only by legal, privacy, and competitive considerations.

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Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

Ethical Dilemmas

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A customer asked for a product from us today. After telling him our price, he said he couldnt afford it. I know he could get it cheaper from a competitor. Should I tell him about the competitor or let him go without getting what he needs? What should I do?
My boss told me that one of my employee is among several to be laid off soon and that Im not to tell my employee yet or he might tell the whole organization, which would soon be in an uproar. Meanwhile, I heard from my employee that he plans to buy braces for his daughter and new carpet for his house. What should I do?

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Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

5 Managing Across

Cultures

Involves the ability to recognize and embrace similarities and differences among nations and cultures and then approach key organizational and strategic issues with an open and curious mind.

Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

5 Managing Across

Cultures

Understand, appreciate, and use cultural factors that can affect behavior.
Appreciate the influence of work-related values on decisions, preferences, and practices.

Understand and motivate employees with different values and attitudes.

Communicate in the local language. Deal effectively with extreme conditions in foreign countries.

Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

Work related Values Pertaining to Managing Across Cultures
Power Distance Individualism or Collectivism Uncertainty Avoidance Gender Role Orientation Long-Term or Short-Term Orientation

There are a number of classifications of cultural values which are given.

Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

Work related Values Pertaining to Managing Across Cultures

It is the extent to which people in a society accept status and power inequalities as a normal and functional aspect of life.

1 - Power Distance

low distance: employees are expected to bypass a manager if necessary in order to get their work done. Relatively equal distribution.

high distance: employee behave submissively to

managers and avoid disagreements with them. Extremely unequal distribution.

Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

Work related Values Pertaining to Managing Across Cultures

2 Individualism or Collectivism

Individualism is the degree to which people prefer to act as individuals rather than a member of groups. People learn to say I.

A tight social framework in which people expect others in groups of which they are a part to look after them and protect them. People learn to say WE

Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

Work related Values Pertaining to Managing Across Cultures

It is the extent to which people rely on social norms, procedures, and organizations (including government) to avoid ambiguity.

3 Uncertainty Avoidance

High uncertainty avoidance: individuals seek

orderliness, consistency, structure, formalized procedures, and laws to cover situations.

Low high distance: employee have low tendency

towards orderliness and consistency, structures lifestyles, and clear specification of social expectations.

Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

Work related Values Pertaining to Managing Across Cultures

4 Gender Role Orientation

It refers to the extent to which a society reinforces, or does not reinforce, traditional notions of masculinity versus femininity.

Men: they are supposed to be assertive, tough, and

Women: they are supposed to be modest, tender,

focused on material success.

and concerned with quality of life.

Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

Work related Values Pertaining to Managing Across Cultures

It refers to the degree to which the society embraces, or does not embrace, the fostering of virtues oriented to ward future rewards.

5 Long-Term Orientation

Long-Term Orientation: A national culture

attribute that emphasizes the future, thrift, and persistence.

Short-Term Orientation: A national culture

attribute that emphasizes the past and present, respect for tradition, and fulfilling social obligations

Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

6 Managing Team

Competency

Involves the ability to develop, support, facilitate, and lead groups to achieve organizational goals.

Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

6 Managing Team

Competency

Determining use and fit of teams.

Setting clear performance goals. Defining responsibilities and tasks. Demonstrating accountability for goal achievement. Applying appropriate decision-making methods.

Resolving conflicts.
Assessing performance and taking corrective action as needed.

Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

7 Managing Change

The overall ability to recognize and implement needed adaptations or entirely new transformations in the people, tasks, strategies, structures, or technologies in the persons area of responsibility.

Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

Core Abilities in Managing Change

Applying the other six competencies in pursuit of needed changes.

Providing leadership of planned change.

Diagnosing pressures for and resistance to change.

Applying the systems model and other processes to facilitate change.

Dealing with new knowledge to facilitate change.

Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

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Responding to Globalization. Managing Workforce Diversity. Improving Quality and Productivity. Responding to the Labor Shortage. Improving Customer Service. Improving People Skills. Empowering People.

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Objectives for Learning about Organizational Behavior OB Competencies

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Responding to Globalization. Coping with Temporariness. Stimulation Innovation and Change. Helping Employees Balance Work/Life Conflicts. Improving Ethical Behavior.

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