Introduction Flashcards
Definition of the “inputs” in the OB model.
- Defined as variables like personality, group structure, and organizational culture that lead to processes.
- Group structure, roles, and team responsibilities are typically assigned immediately before or after a group is formed.
- Organizational structure and culture change over time.
Definition of the “processes” in the OB model
- If inputs are like the nouns in organizational behavior, processes are like verbs.
- Defined as actions that individuals, groups, and organizations engage in as a result of inputs, and that lead to certain outcomes.
Definition of the “outcomes” in the OB model.
Defined as the key variables that you want to explain or predict, and that are affected by some other variables.
OB study: Implications for managers?
- Resist the inclination to rely on generalizations / gut feelings; some provide valid insights into human behavior, but many are erroneous.
- Use metrics and situational variables rather than “hunches” to explain cause-and-effect relationships.
- Work on interpersonal skills to increase leadership potential.
Definition of organization + name of the authors
“A consciously coordinated social unit composed of two or more people that functions on a relatively continuous basis to achieve a common goal or set of goals.” (Robbins & Judge 2015:38)
Organization presumes: Structure, Formality, Membership
Definition of the manager?
Someone who gets things done through other people in organizations. Managers work in different 1. Functions, 2. Roles, and need 3. Skills.
Manager’s functions and roles?
- Manager’s functions : Planning, Organizing, Leading & Controlling
- Manager’s roles : Interpersonal, informational, decisional
What skills do Manager need (to achieve their goals)?
- Technical Skills – the ability to apply specialized knowledge or expertise. All jobs require some specialized expertise, and many people develop their technical skills on the job.
- Human Skills – the ability to work with people, understand and motivate other people, both individually and in groups.
- Conceptual Skills – the ability to analyze and diagnose complex situations
Definition of Organizational Behavior
“Organizational behavior (OB) is 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.”
(Robbins & Judge 2015:42).
What are the major behavioral science disciplines that contribute to OB?
- Psychology
- Social psychology
- Sociology
- Anthropology
Demonstrate why few absolutes apply to OB.
There are few, if any, simple and universal principles that explain organizational behavior.
- Contingency variables - situational factors are variables that moderate the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. (x leads to y, but only under conditions specified in z = contingency variables). (Robbins & Judge 2015: 48)
- “Field of study” – academic investigation is a constructive process based on former research and their debates. Knowledge is an ongoing discursive process.
Challenges and Opportunities of OB Concepts : Implication for managers?
- Improve technical skills and conceptual skills through training and staying current with organizational behavior trends like “big data”.
- Organizational behavior can improve employees’ work quality and productivity by showing how to empower employees, design and implement change programs, improve customer service, and help employees balance work-life conflicts.
The importance of Interpersonal Skills in the Workplace
Interpersonal skills are important because…
- Understanding OB helps determine manager effectiveness
- Leadership and communication skills are critical as a person progresses in his or her career
- Better interpersonal skills result in lower turnover of quality employees and higher quality applications for recruitment
- ‘Good places to work’ have better financial performance
