Chapter 1: Intro into OB Flashcards
Define Organisational Behaviour
The study of human behaviour in organisational settings, the interface between human behaviour and the organisation, and the organisation itself.
What is a common organisational factor?
People
Name and describe the three elements within OB
- Human Behaviour: personal characteristics, traits, background, experiences, goals.
- Individual-Organisational interface: interaction between the individual and organisation- training process, orientation process, policies and procedures.
- Organisation: structure, culture, decision making, reward system, performance evaluation.
The impact of OB on Personal Success:
What is the core of OB?
Being effective at work.
Having effective management at all levels.
The impact of OB on Personal Success:
What does OB help managers understand?
The complex human context of organisations.
The impact of OB on Organisational Success:
Does happy employees= productive organisations?
Yes
The impact of OB on Organisational Success:
True or False: Effective OB leads to successful organisations?
True
Managerial Context of OB:
List the four functions of Management
- Planning
- Organising
- Leading
- Controlling
Managerial Context of OB:
Define the function of Management: Planning
Planning: process of determining an organisation’s desired future position and the best way of getting there.
→first managerial function
→deciding on appropriate goals
→creating strategies/developing tactics
→perception influences planning: perception forms part of OB
Managerial Context of OB:
Define the function of Management: Organising
Process of designing jobs, grouping jobs into units and establishing patterns of authority between jobs and units.
→produce basic structure/framework of organisation (complex structure)
→structure: hierarchical levels, spans, activities and responsibilities
Managerial Context of OB:
Define the function of Management: Leading
Process of getting the organisation’s members to work together towards the organisation’s goals.
→motivating employees towards goals.
→hire, train and motivate
Managerial Context of OB:
Define the function of Management: Controlling
Process of monitoring and correcting the actions of the organisation and its members to keep them directed towards their goals.
→control: perfromance and reward systems
→avoid losses in income
Managerial Context of OB:
List the four skills needed within critical management
Technical skills
Interpersonal skills
Conceptual skills
Diagnostic skills
Critical Management Skills and OB
Describe the Technical Skill:
The skills necessary to accomplish specific tasks within the organisation.
→managers need technical skills: teach others
→skills: operations employes by organisation
→writing, speaking, teaching, designing
Critical Management Skills and OB
Describe the Interpersonal Skills:
The ability to communicate with, understand and motivate individuals and groups effectively
→Managers are required to interact with others often
→Must be able to get along with people
→Treating others with respect, dignity, trust
Critical Management Skills and OB
Describe the Conceptual Skills:
The ability to think in abstract.
→able to see the bigger picture
→notice opportunities, identify potential/seeing growth possibilities
→creativity+ innovation
Critical Management Skills and OB
Describe the Diagnostic Skills:
The ability to understand cause-and-effect relationships and to recognise optimal solutions to problem.
→Strategic planning, future thinking, innovation
OB and Human Resource Management
Define HRM
The set of organisational activities directed at attracting, developing and maintaining an effective workforce.
OB and Human Resource Management
What does HR Managers do?
Select new employees, develop rewards and incentives to motivate and retain employees, and create programmes for training and developing employee.
OB and Human Resource Management
How does HR work through OB
Through OB principles like motivation, leadership, personality traits, etc.
OB and Human Resource Management
What does the South African Board of People Practices do?
Sets standards and practices to provide a foundation for organisations to manage people.
Strategic Context of OB
What are sucessful business strategies grounded in?
Creating and maintaining a competitive advantage.
Define Competitive Advantage
Anything that gives an organisation an edge over rivals in
attracting customers and defending itself against competition.
Strategic Context of OB: Sources of Competitive Advantage
Through what nine sources can a competitive advantage be achieved through?
- Innovation: developing new, best made products
- Distribution: dominating distribution channelsto block competition
- Speed: best customer service
- Convenience: easier for customer to do business with
- First to market:before competitors
- Cost: being the lowest-cost provider
- Service: before, during and after sale
- Quality:highest quality product/service
- Branding: most positive/ well-known brand name
