Organizational Behaviour Flashcards
What is the definition of an ‘organization’ according to Encarta Dictionary?
According to Encarta Dictionary, an ‘organization’ is defined as “a group of people identified by a shared interest or purpose, e.g. a business.”
What are the five key elements of organizations that help understand them?
The five key elements of organizations are social structure, culture, interactions & relations, technology, and environment.
What are some aspects of social structure within organizations?
Social structure within organizations includes the division of work (functions), division of power (hierarchy), and the existence of rules and procedures.
What are the visible and invisible parts of organizational culture?
The visible part of organizational culture includes artifacts like buildings, design, jargon, stories, ceremonies, and rituals. The invisible part consists of values, norms, and basic assumptions.
How can organizations make sense of their environment?
Organizations can make sense of their environment by considering three categories: stakeholders, the general environment (using the PESTLE model), and the international environment.
What are the four basic perspectives in Organization Theory?
The four basic perspectives in Organization Theory are the modernistic perspective, symbolic-interpretive perspective, critical perspective, and postmodern perspective.
What are the characteristics of the modernistic perspective?
perspective: view
organizations as objective,
rational, effective systems.
from the enlightening: from superstition to reason - science, knowledge and
control, human progress
reality: objective, external and independent (objectivism) we find Truth through scientific measurement
(positivism)
methods: hypothesis,
quantitative measurement
focus: to find universal laws and explanation, techniques
for control
How does the symbolic-interpretive perspective differ from the modernistic perspective?
The symbolic-interpretive perspective sees organizations as continuously constructed by their members through symbols and interaction. It challenges modernism by focusing on culture, subjectivity, and the way people make sense of their experiences. It relies on qualitative methods, such as observations and interviews.
What are the key characteristics of the postmodern perspective?
perspective: view
organizations as places for
discourses & power,
oppression & irrationality
from post structuralism -
language do not accurately
represent reality,
ambivalence & change
reality: appear through the
language and is tied to
discourse – everything is
‘text’ there is no truth or
independent reality, just
interpretations
methods: qualitative
methods, discourse analysis
focus: to deconstruct
organizational texts –
management ideology and
ways to organize
According to social identity theory, how does belonging to a group affect an individual’s identity?
Social identity theory suggests that belonging to a group plays a significant role in shaping an individual’s identity, contributing to a positive sense of self-esteem.
What are the four aspects that make teams effective, according to Kazenbach and Smith?
The four aspects that make teams effective, according to Kazenbach and Smith, are:
Common purpose.
Set of performance goals.
Common approach.
Mutually accountable.
What are the five stages of team development, as proposed by Tuckman?
- Forming: group are forming, people get to know each other, little action, little conflict
- Storming: move towards action, people align with members & look (storming) for
positions, start of conflicts – group outcomes & processes - Norming: people get an understanding of norms, roles & responsibilities
- Performing: after norms & cohesion, all ready to perform, all people are engaged,
work together, caring for each other, work through problems - Adjourning: the task is completed, people say goodbyes, break-up or go on to a new project, learning
What is the concept of “social impact” in relation to group performance?
Social impact refers to how well group members know and trust each other, how interrelated their roles are, the size of the group, and whether the group is face-to-face or virtual. It influences group performance.
Why do people join groups?
- The need for safety
- Need for belonging (Maslow)
- To remove uncertainty
What is “groupthink,” and why is it a concern in group dynamics?
“Groupthink” is the tendency of group members to seek harmony at the cost of ignoring important decisions. It can lead to poor decision-making and unethical behavior in groups.
How can role ambiguity and role conflict affect teams and organizations?
Role ambiguity and role conflict can make it difficult for newcomers to function properly in teams and organizations, leading to confusion and inefficiency.
What are the different types of teams discussed in the text?
The text mentions several types of teams, including advice and involvement teams, production and service teams, project and development teams, and action and negotiation teams.
What are the 3 team member roles according to Belbin?
- The plant
- The coordinator
- The implementer
What are the 7 qualities or aspects that characterize great leaders?
Great leaders:
- are made, not born.
- have personal character and integrity.
- lead.
- adjust their leading style to the situation.
- support, equip, and train their followers.
- are persistently in communicating vision.
- raise up other great leaders
What are some basic qualities mentioned in the text that should be in place for most great leaders in regards to innate suitability?
Some basic qualities include:
Drive and persistence, e.g., initiative, energy, perseverance.
Leadership motivation.
Verbal abilities, e.g., the ability to communicate a vision.
Social competence, e.g., the ability to interact in social settings.
According to the Hersey & Blanchard model, what are the four leadership behaviors that leaders can exhibit based on situational factors?
According to the Hersey & Blanchard model, leaders can exhibit the following behaviors based on situational factors:
Telling
Selling
Participating
Delegating
What are the four components of transformational leadership as mentioned in the text?
The four components of transformational leadership are:
Charisma: Vision and mission.
Inspiration: Using symbols to gain pride and respect.
Intellectual stimulation: Challenging assumptions.
Individual focus: Helping individuals grow.
How do great leaders communicate their vision, and what is emphasized in their communication?
Great leaders constantly share and re-share their vision through both verbal communication and their behavior. The emphasis is not on slogans or buzzwords but on knowing where the organization is going and what it stands for.
What does organizational structure encompass?
Organizational structure encompasses division of labor/work, division of authority (hierarchy), and formal rules, procedures, and policies.
