Lecture 1: Introduction to OB and Diversity

Question 1

Intuition

Answer 1

• Gut feelings, individual observation, common sense

- Based on inaccurate information

Question 2

Systematic Study

Answer 2

• Looks at relationships, Scientifica evidence, Predicts behaviours
• Can be time comsuming

Question 3

Evidence-based management (EBM)

Answer 3

• Basing managerial decisions on the best available scientific evidence
  1. Pose a managerial question
  2. Search for the best avaiable evidence
  3. Apply relevant information to case

Question 4

Contributing Disciplines of OB

Answer 4

• Psychology
• Social psychology
• Sociology
• Anthropology

Question 5

Challenges and Opportunities for OB

Answer 5

1. Responding to economic pressures
2. Responding to globalisation
3. Managing workforce diversity
4. Changing demographics
5. Improving customer service
6. Improving people skills
7. Stimulating innovation and change
8. Coping with ‘temporariness’
9. Working in networked organisations
10. Helping employees balance work-life conflicts
11. Improving ethical behaviour

Question 6

Management functions

Answer 6

Planning, Organising, Controlling and Leading

Question 7

Essential management skills

Answer 7

• Technical skills: The ability to apply specialised knowledge or expertise
• Human skills: The ability to work with, understand and motivate other people both individually and in groups
• Conceptual skills: The mental ability to analyse and diagnose complex situations

Question 8

Four types of managerial activity

Answer 8

1. Traditional management: decision making, planning and controlling
2. Communication: exchanging routine info and processing paperwork
3. Human resource management: motivating, disciplining, managing conflict, staffing and training
4. Networking: socialising, politicking and interacting with others

Question 9

3 levels of OB analysis

Answer 9

1. Individual level
2. Group level
3. Organisation system level

Question 10

Types of study variables

Answer 10

• Independent (X)

- Dependent (Y)

Question 11

Key OB dependent variables

Answer 11

1. Productivity
   - Transforming inputs to outputs at the lowest cost. Includes the concepts of effectiveness and efficiency
2. Absenteeism
   - Failure to report for work
3. Turnover
   - Voluntary and involuntary permanent withdrawal from an organisation
4. Deviant workplace behaviour
   - Voluntary behaviour that violates significant organisational norms and thereby threatens the well-being of the organisation and/or any of its members
5. Organisational citizenship behaviours (OCB)
   - Discretionary behaviour that is not part of an employee’s formal job requirements, but that nevertheless promotes the effective functioning of the organisation
6. Job satisfaction
   - General attitude towards one’s job

Question 12

Key OB independent variables

Answer 12

1. Individual
2. Group
3. Organisation system

Question 13

Levels of diversity

Answer 13

1. Surface-level diversity
2. Deep-level diversity
3. Diversity Management

Question 14

Ability and the two factors

Answer 14

• An individual’s capacity to perform the various tasks in a job

1. Intellectual abilities
2. Physical abilities