Chapter 1: OB and Management Flashcards
What is an organization?
A consciously coordinated social unit, composed of a group of people, which functions on a relatively continuous basis to achieve a common goal or set of goals.
What is organizational behavior (OB)?
A field of study that investigates the impact that individuals, groups, and structure have on behavior within organizations to improve effectiveness.
What are the characteristics of organizational behavior?
- Looks at consistencies in behavior
- More than common sense
- Has few absolutes
- Takes a contingency approach
What is the classical viewpoint in management?
An early prescription that advocated high specialization of labor, intensive coordination, and centralized decision making.
What is scientific management?
Frederick Taylor’s system for using research to determine the optimum degree of specialization and standardization of work tasks.
Define bureaucracy in the context of organizations.
Max Weber’s ideal type of organization that includes a strict chain of command, detailed rules, high specialization, centralized power, and selection based on technical competence.
What is the human relations movement?
A critique of classical management and bureaucracy advocating for more participative management styles oriented toward employee needs.
What does the contingency approach in management recognize?
There is no one best way to manage; the appropriate management style depends on the demands of the situation.
What are Mintzberg’s managerial roles?
Informational: Monitor, Disseminator, Spokesperson
Interpersonal Roles: Figurehead, Leader, Liaison
Decisional Roles: Entrepreneur, Disturbance handler, Resource allocator, Negotiator
Essential components of a psychologically healthy workplace
Communication
Work-Life Balance
Employee Involvement
Employee Recognition
Employee Growth and Development
Health and Safety
What is workplace spirituality?
A workplace that provides employees with meaning, purpose, a sense of community, and a connection to others.
Define organizational care.
Values and principles centered on fulfilling employees’ needs, promoting their best interests, and valuing their contributions.
What is positive organizational behavior (POB)?
The study and application of positively oriented human resource strengths and psychological capacities for performance improvement.
What is psychological capital (PsyCap)?
An individual’s positive psychological state characterized by self-efficacy, optimism, hope, and resilience.
What is optimism in the context of psychological capital?
An attributional style explaining positive events as personal and permanent, and negative events as external and situation-specific.
What is talent management?
An organization’s processes and practices for attracting, developing, retaining, and deploying people with the required skills.
Define work engagement.
A positive work-related state of mind characterized by vigour, dedication, and absorption.
What is corporate social responsibility (CSR)?
An organization taking responsibility for the impact of its decisions and actions on its stakeholders.
