4 Forces Affecting Organizational Behavior

Organizational Behavior is affected by 4 complex sets of key forces.

These key forces are;

There is an interaction of people, structure, and technology, and the

environment influences these elements.
People

People make up the internal social system of the organization. That

system consists of individuals and groups, and groups may be large
and small, formal and informal. Groups are dynamic.

Group form, change and disband. Since the organization is a

combination of a group of people, managers must handle the people in
the right direction.

This is very challenging to guide people or employees who have

different educational backgrounds, talents, and perspectives. So,
managers must understand, predict and control the people.

They build up a relationship among the employees and motivate

themselves.

Structure

The structure defines the formal relationship and use of people in the
organization. There are managers, employees, and accounts
assemblers to accomplish different kinds of activities.

They are related structurally so that their work can be effectively

coordinated because there is no organization that can be successful
without proper coordination.

Many organizational structures have become flatter. This downsizing

and restructuring have occurred as a result of the pressure to lower
costs while remaining competitive.

Other structures have grown more complex as a result of mergers,

acquisitions, and new ventures. Several organizations have
experimented with hiring contingent workforces (temporary, part-
time, or contract employees).

Finally, many firms have moved from traditional to team-based

structures.

Technology

Technology provides the resources with which people work and affects
their tasks. They cannot accomplish work with their bare hands.

The technology used has a significant influence on working

relationships.

The great benefit of technology is that it allows people to do more and

better work, but it also restricts people in various ways’ It has cost as
well as benefits.

Examples of the impact of technology include the increasing use of

robots and automated control systems in an assembly lines.

The dramatic shift from a manufacturing to a service economy, the

impressive advances in computer hardware and software capabilities,
and the rapid move toward the widespread use of the information
highway (internet).

And the need to respond to societal demands for improved quality of

goods and services at acceptable prices.

If any person lacks technological knowledge, he/she cannot work.

Moreover, technology decreases per unit cost and improves the quality
of the products and services.

Environment
All organizations operate within an internal and external environment.
A single organization does not exist alone.

An organization is part of a larger system that contains many other

elements, such as the government, the family, and other organizations.
Numerous changes in the environment create demands on
organizations.

Citizens expect organizations should be socially responsible; new

products and competition for customers come from around the globe;
the direct impact of unions diminishes; the dramatic pace of change in
society quickens.

There is a direct impact on several trade unions of organizations.

So all the elements of the environment influence the attitude and

provide competition. It must be considered in the study of human
behavior in an organization.