What is Organizational Behavior? PPT #2 Flashcards
What is OB?
The systematic study and application of knowledge about how individuals and groups act within the organizations where they work.
3 Groups:
Organizations: This has culture, structure and a formal process
Groups: This has dynamics of both group and interpersonal
Individuals: Personality, Individual background and skills
What fields can OB relate to?
OB connects to:
Sociology
Economics
Anthropology
Medicine
Psychology
Why is OB Important?
Individual level: Concepts to propel you in your career!
Team level: Can help you understand how to create team experiences with synergy/avoid frustration
Organizational level: Creates competitive advantage
Why is OB Important? PT 2
Research shows that organizations that are considered healthier and more effective have strong OB characteristics throughout them such as role clarity, information sharing, and performance feedback
Formal vs Informal Organizational Elements
Formal: Job Desc, Authority Structure, Goals, Policies
Informal: Attitudes, Culture, Norms, Morale
This is the Hawthorne Studies
OB Research Methods
Quantitative surveys
e.g., “My manager and I have a good relationship” 1= strongly disagree, 3 = neutral, 5 = strongly agree
Field studies
Can be anything from qualitative observation to surveys to experiments – all conducted in an organizational setting
Laboratory studies
E.g., psychology study of motivation but with implications for the workplace
Case studies
E.g., How did various stakeholders at MacEwan adapt to the online transition?
Meta-analysis
E.g., Kluger & Denisi (1996) found that feedback interventions often produced negative effects on performance!
Field Study Example:
Organizational context for data I gathered:
Organization undergoing significant change
Large, publicly traded real-estate company
Employees from all levels & various departments across multiple locations
Final sample: 260 employees surveyed at 3 time points (spanning approx. 11 weeks)
Quantitative Study Example (Also, Field Study)
Chart from left to right:
Listening Trajectory –> H1 –> Control Trajectory –> H2 –> AJI Trajectory –> H3: The relationship between listening trajectory and AJI trajectory is mediated by perceived control trajectory
Lab Experiment Example
Sample: 210 students recruited through MacEwan’s BURP
Students with work experience, or reorganization experience
Scenario: You are an employee at Tewscorp, a manufacturing firm preparing to undergo major restructuring… Your manager Pat…
Randomly assigned:
High trust or low trust
Upward trending trust or downward trending trust
Scales assessing voice intentions (e.g., “I will give Pat suggestions about how to make the work unit better, even if others disagree”)
Qualitative Research Example:
Qualitative data can take the form of texts, photos, videos and audio. For example, you might be working with interview transcripts, survey responses, fieldnotes, or recordings from natural settings.
Challenges and Opportunities
Ethical challenges
e.g., tracking remote employees
Lack of employee engagement
e.g., the great resignation/reprioritization
Shifting perceptions of work, expectations, work-life balance, etc.
E.g., “quiet quitting”
Technology
e.g., Zoom fatigue
Challenges and Opportunities PT 2
Accessibility of information & misinformation
E.g., Wayfair conspiracy theory
https://guides.lib.berkeley.edu/evaluating-resources
Sustainability
Includes human sustainability!
Labour market issues
E.g., faced by indigenous business owners
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
E.g., unconscious biases, discrimination, and workplace bullying faced by indigenous workers
Key Points
Organizational behaviour is the study of people in organizations—at a few different levels
The formal elements of the organization cannot alone explain behaviour in organizations
OB is relevant to understanding and addressing changes in the work landscape
