ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIORMAN3240

SPRING 2010

General Information

Thursdays 5:30 – 8:30 Main 408

Kathy Deaner, Dean of Student Affairs, HarborWalk, Suite 101, 954-308-2601, kdeaner@aii.edu

OB looks at organizations from 3 levels: THE INDIVIDUAL GROUPS ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

What is organizational behavior The study of people at work Often referred to as OB Organizational behavior is the study of how

individuals, groups and structure influence behavior within organizations.

By understanding how an organization behaves, their effectiveness can improve.

It primarily focuses on employee behavior as it relates to jobs, work, absenteeism, turnover, productivity, performance and management.

“Very little has ever been done without human organization”

Social groups are all around us – our families, our roommates, our classrooms, our companies, and our governments. Because the basic unit of the organization is the individual person, understanding organizations partially requires that we understand ourselves, and simple relationships between two people.

These familiar subjects however are not as easily mastered as some believe: while multiple pop-psychology theories may sound correct ,determining which theory applies in any particular situation is the core purpose of an entire scientific

discipline: Organizational Behavior

 

DEFINITIONS

The study and application of knowledge about how people, individuals and groups act in organizations.

The study of how individuals act as a group of individuals in an organization.

A field of study that investigates the impact that individuals, groups and structure have on behavior within organizations, for the purpose of applying knowledge toward improving organizational effectiveness.

Definitions Con’t

Behavior that goes on in different types of organizations

The actions of individuals and groups in an organizational context.

The study of actions that affect performance in the workplace

A study that gives managers knowledge on how they should act in the most effective ways working in organizations.

Where does the study of behavior in organizations come from?

Psychology Social Psychology Sociology Anthropology Political Science

Psychology

Psychology seeks to measure, explain, and change behavior in humans and animals in an effort to understand INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR.

Psychology has influence OB by applying the theories and concepts of individuals to Organizations

Examples: learning theories, personality theories, industrial psychology

SOCIOLOGY

Sociology studies people in relation to their fellow human beings

Sociology has contributed to OB by studying group behavior in organizations

Examples include: group dynamics, work teams, organizational culture

Social Psychology

Social Psychology blends concepts from psychology and sociology to focus on the influence people have on each other.

The most significant contribution to OB deals with Change regarding attitudes, decision making and communication patterns

Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of societies to learn about humans and their activities

This has contributed to OB has helped to understand differences in values and attitudes among people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Political Science

Political Science is the study of the behavior of individuals and groups within a political environment.

This has contributed to OB by understanding the role of power, politics and manipulation

Current challenges and opportunities and why it matters? Workers come from different cultures, races

and ethnic groups The typical employee is older More women are in the workplace Global competition Corporate downsizing

Responding to globalization

Foreign Assignments

Co-Workers from different cultures

Jobs moving to low cost labor markets

Managing workforce diversity

Gender Race National origin Age Disability Domestic partners ReligionManager must recognize differences and

respond accordingly. As a result, we now have diversity train

Additional critical challenges for today’s managers

Improving quality and productivity Improving customer service Improving people skills Stimulating innovation and change Balance work-life conflicts Improve ethical behavior Create a positive work environment

OB offers managers:

Insights to Improve a managers people skills

Helps mange workforce diversity Improve employee productivity Teach managers how to stimulate

innovation Provide guidance on creating an

ethically healthy work environment