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MCOB Notes Final
MCOB Notes Final
INTRODUCTION TO MANAGEMENT
Management is a universal phenomenon. It is a very popular and widely used term. All organizations,
business, political, cultural or social are involved in management because it is the management that
helps and directs the various efforts towards a definite purpose.
Definition: “Management is known exactly what you want men to do and then seeing that they do it the
best and cheapest ways”.
-F.W.Taylor
“Management is an art of getting things done through and with the people in formally organized groups.
It is an art of creating an environment in which people can perform and individuals and can cooperate
towards attainment of group goals”.
Koontz and O’Donell
Nature of Management: The study and application of management techniques in managing the affairs
of the organization have changed its nature over the time.
1. Multidisciplinary: Combines knowledge from various fields like economics, sociology,
psychology, and mathematics.
2. Dynamic: Adapts to changes in the environment, technology, and societal values.
3. Universal: Applicable to all types of organizations, regardless of their size or nature.
4. Goal-oriented: Focuses on achieving organizational objectives efficiently and effectively.
Characteristics of Management:
Management is an activity concerned with guiding human and physical resources such that
organizational goals can be achieved. Nature of management can be highlighted as: -
1. Management is Goal-Oriented.
2. Management integrates Human, Physical and Financial Resources.
3. Management is Continuous Process.
4. Management is all Pervasive.
5. Management is a Group Activity.
FUNCTIONS OF MANAGEMENT
According Luther Gullick a keyword ’POSDCORB’ where P stands for Planning, O for Organizing, S
for Staffing, D for Directing, Co for Co-ordination, R for reporting & B for Budgeting explain the
functions of management. But the most widely accepted are functions of management given by Koontz
and O’Donnel i.e. Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing and Controlling.
Levels of Management
organization. The number of management levels tends to increase with the growth in the size of the
business and its workforce, and decrease accordingly. These levels establish a chain of command and
define the authority and status associated with each managerial role. Management levels are generally
classified into three broad categories:
Theories of Management
A. Classical Theory of Management
1. Scientific Management
Scientific management theory, pioneered by Frederick Winslow Taylor in the late 19th century,
transformed work efficiency. It emphasizes the scientific analysis of tasks to boost productivity,
efficiency, and organizational workflow. By standardizing methods and incorporating both workers and
managers in the decision-making process, it seeks to eliminate inefficiencies. Taylor's principles, which
have significantly shaped modern management theories, still impact industries today.
Principles of Scientific
standardization
Management
The Right Person for the
Job
Collaboration Between
Workers and Managers
2. Administrative Theory
In the last century, organizations have always had to manage their operations effectively. By the early
1900s, large entities like production factories required structured management. At that time, there were
few external tools, models, or methods available. These early concepts, known as principles, were
fundamental to successful management. Henri Fayol explored these extensively, leading to his
formulation of the 14 principles of management. His research and principles were published in the book
"General and Industrial Management" in 1916.
14 Principles of management
Henri Fayol was able to synthesize 14 principles of management after years of study, namely:
1. Division of Work: Specialization enhances workforce efficiency, productivity, accuracy, and speed
in both technical and managerial tasks.
2. Authority and Responsibility: Management holds the authority to give orders and the
responsibility for performance, ensuring accountability and efficiency.
3. Discipline: Essential for smooth operations, discipline involves obedience, good conduct, and
respectful interactions as part of core organizational values.
4. Unity of Command: Each employee should receive orders from one manager to avoid confusion
and conflict, ensuring clear responsibility.
5. Unity of Direction: All employees should work toward common objectives with coordinated
efforts, guided by a unified plan of action.
9. Scalar Chain: A clear hierarchical line of authority from top to bottom should be maintained,
allowing emergency communication without bypassing the hierarchy.
10. Order: Employees should have the necessary resources and a safe, clean work environment to
function properly.
11. Equity: Employees must be treated fairly, kindly, and impartially, ensuring they are in the right
roles for optimal performance.
12. Stability of Tenure of Personnel: Minimizing employee turnover and ensuring the right staff are
in the right positions is crucial for organizational stability.
13. Initiative: Encouraging employees to express new ideas fosters engagement, involvement, and
added value for the company.
14. Esprit de Corps: Fostering unity and morale among employees enhances communication, trust,
and overall organizational culture.
Job Specialization: Tasks are divided into simple, routine, and fixed categories based on skills and
specialization.
Formal Selection: Organizational members are chosen based on technical qualifications and
demonstrated competency through training, education, or examinations.
Formal Rules and Regulations: Managers rely on formal rules and regulations to ensure uniformity
and regulate employee actions, fostering impersonality in relationships.
Impersonality: Uniform application of rules avoids favoritism, nepotism, and personal preferences in
managerial decisions.
Neglect of Informal Relationships: Does not consider informal interactions among employees.
Outdated Control System: The rigid control and authority system is outdated and unsuitable for
dynamic environments.
In 1927, Elton Mayo and Fritz Roethlisberger led studies at the Hawthorne Works of Western Electric
Company to understand productivity beyond physical conditions and wages.
Illumination Experiment: Examined the relationship between lighting and output, concluding that
factors other than illumination affect productivity.
Relay Assembly Test Room Experiment: Investigated the effects of working conditions, finding
that socio-psychological factors like recognition and group dynamics significantly boost
productivity.
Mass Interview Programme: Studied employee attitudes, revealing that social factors in the work
environment are crucial.
Bank Wiring Test Room Experiment: Explored social groups and production norms, discovering
that workers set their own production standards, often lower than management's, to maintain group
cohesion.
B. MODERN APPROACH
PLANNING
Planning is the process managers use to identify and select organizational goals and the actions needed
to achieve them. It involves deciding in advance what to do, how to do it, when to do it, and who will do
it. Planning serves as a bridge from the present to the desired future state, requiring forward-thinking and
visualization of future actions organized logically.
Principles of Planning
Effective planning is crucial for the success and longevity of any organization. Failures often occur not
due to a lack of planning, but due to ineffective planning. Understanding the following principles
enhances planning effectiveness and helps avoid common managerial mistakes:
Systematic Planning: Structured and systematic planning is essential for organizational success.
Forward-Looking: Planning must be forward-looking, bridging the gap between the current
state and future goals.
Logical Organization: Planning involves logically visualizing and organizing future courses of
action.
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STEPS IN PLANNING
Though there may be a few variations in the exact procedure adopted by different organizations in
planning, the following are the broad steps:
1. Setting Objectives
Planning begins with defining the organization's goals clearly. Major objectives are first specified and
then broken down into departmental and individual targets. Objectives guide decision-making, resource
allocation, and work schedules, anticipating potential problems and opportunities. For instance, if ABC
Ltd. aims to sell 3,000 laptops this year, doubling last year's sales, this goal must be distributed across
production, marketing, sales, and finance departments for better management.
The next step is to establish the environment in which plans will operate, known as planning premises.
These include assumptions and forecasts about future conditions that will affect the plan's execution.
Premises are categorized into internal and external, controllable and uncontrollable, tangible and
intangible. For example, ABC Ltd. might forecast increased laptop demand due to the work-from-home
trend, gathering accurate information to set realistic objectives.
After setting objectives and assumptions, the organization identifies alternative ways to achieve its goals.
This requires collecting accurate and relevant information from various sources. For every objective,
multiple alternatives should be considered. ABC Ltd., for instance, might explore options like price
reductions, increased advertising, or enhanced after-sale services, involving employees and customers in
idea generation.
Once alternatives are identified, each one must be evaluated based on expected costs, benefits, risks, and
alignment with goals. Both positive and negative aspects of each alternative are thoroughly examined.
For instance, ABC Ltd. should compare the potential impact of different marketing strategies on sales
and profitability, weighing the pros and cons of each option.
5. Selecting an Alternative
After evaluating options, the most suitable course of action is chosen. This involves formulating detailed
and derivative plans, such as policies and budgets, to support the primary plan. Sometimes, a
combination of alternatives is selected. For example, ABC Ltd. might decide to use TV advertisements,
online marketing, and direct contact with MNCs to boost sales, leveraging multiple strategies to
maximize impact.
The chosen plan is then put into action, requiring detailed communication and coordination among
employees. Suggestions from staff are considered, and they are motivated to execute the plan effectively.
Implementation involves organizing labor and acquiring necessary resources. For instance, ABC Ltd.
Maybe hire more salespeople, create engaging online ads, and establish service workshops in various
cities to support the sales plan.
7. Follow-up Action
Finally, the plan's effectiveness is periodically reviewed through continuous monitoring and adjustments
as needed. Feedback mechanisms are developed to gather input from customers and employees, ensuring
the plan remains relevant and effective. For example, ABC Ltd. might collect consumer reviews and
revenue data to fine-tune their strategies and improve service delivery, ensuring they meet their sales
targets.
Importance of Planning:
Planning Provides Direction: Planning involves deciding the future course of action by setting
clear goals and objectives. It ensures unity of direction and reduces aimless activities, making
actions more purposeful.
Planning Reduces the Risk of Uncertainty: By anticipating future events and preparing for
potential risks, planning helps businesses navigate uncertain environments and eliminate
unnecessary actions.
Planning Reduces Overlapping and Wasteful Activity: Effective planning integrates activities
across departments, minimizing overlapping efforts and wasteful activities by aligning them with
the organization's objectives.
Planning Establishes a Standard for Controlling: Planning sets benchmarks for performance
evaluation. By comparing actual performance against these standards, managers can identify
deviations and take corrective actions to ensure alignment with plans.
Characteristics of Plans
1. Planning is goal-oriented
2. Planning is looking ahead
3. Planning is an intellectual process
4. Planning involves choice and decision making.
5. Planning is the primary function of management/Primacy of Planning
6. Planning is a continuous process.
7. Planning is all-pervasive
8. Planning is designed for efficiency
9. Planning is flexible
Types of Plans
I. Standing Plans
Standing plans are designed for repeated use whenever a particular situation arises, ensuring smooth
internal operations. Developed once but used over years, these plans are modifiable and typically
prepared by top-level managers. They include objectives and goals, strategy, policy, procedure, rules,
and methods.
a. Objectives and Goals: Objectives are specific targets that support the broader goals of the
organization. Goals indicate what the organization aims to achieve, while objectives break these
goals into actionable steps, guiding decision-making and resource allocation.
c. Policy: General statements that guide thinking and actions within the organization. Policies define
boundaries for decision-making and ensure consistency in actions across various levels and
departments.
e. Rules: Directives that specify what is and isn't allowed within the organization. Rules are rigid and
enforceable, aiming to maintain discipline and improve efficiency. Violations usually result in
penalties.
f. Method: Standard techniques for performing repetitive tasks. Methods provide clear instructions
for day-to-day activities, ensuring tasks are completed efficiently and effectively.
a. Program: Comprehensive plans that combine goals, task assignments, policies, and resources to
achieve objectives. Programs provide a step-by-step guide to complete tasks within a specified
period and include both major and minor programs.
b. Budget: A financial plan estimating future needs and allocating resources for a specific period,
usually one year. Budgets are expressed in numerical terms and serve as tools for planning and
control, helping evaluate performance against set standards.
Organizing
Organizing in management involves a series of steps to identify and group activities, assemble resources,
and establish authority relationships within job positions. It involves arranging people and resources
efficiently to achieve the organization's goals. The process includes defining activities, grouping them
into work units, and establishing clear roles and responsibilities.
“Organizing is a function by which the concern is able to define the role positions, the jobs related and
the coordination between authority and responsibility.” – Chester I. Barnard
“Organizing is the process of defining and grouping the activities of the enterprise and establishing the
MCOB (MBA 1st Semester)
authority relationships among them.” – Luther Gulick
Importance of Organizing
1. Benefits of Specialization: Organizing divides work into units and departments, leading to
specialization. This systematic allocation of tasks enhances productivity and reduces workload,
resulting in efficient and speedy job performance.
3. Optimum Utilization of Resources: Organizing ensures the optimal use of human and material
resources by assigning tasks based on skills and knowledge. This clarity in job roles motivates
employees and prevents confusion.
5. Effective Administration: Organizing provides clear job descriptions and relationships, reducing
confusion and duplication of work. Delegating authority also relieves top management from
routine tasks, allowing them to focus on strategic issues.
7. Expansion and Growth: Effective organizing creates favorable conditions for expansion and
diversification. It enables the organization to add new job positions and departments, supporting
business growth and taking on new challenges.
Authority
“Authority is the special rights granted to position holder in the organization. Such rights enable him to
decide, to command and to allocate resources, to get the decision executed”
Power
“Power is potential ability to influence behavior, to change the course of events, to overcome resistance,
and to get people do things that they would not otherwise do”
Jeffrey Pfeiffer
The term "structure" refers to the management of parts and the interrelationships among activities and
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people within an organization. Therefore, organizational structure is an element that provides the
foundation for managers and non-managerial employees to perform their assigned jobs. It defines roles,
responsibilities, and the authority relationships between various positions, creating a framework within
organization:
Allocation of Authority and Responsibility: It clearly defines who is responsible for what tasks and
Facilitation of Proper Control: It enables effective control over the operations of the business
enterprise.
Support for Growth and Development: It facilitates the growth and development of the enterprise
1. Functional Structure
2. Divisional Structure
A functional organizational structure is a system where various activities are classified into distinct
functions, each managed by a functional expert. In this structure, each major function is organized as a
separate department, and major functions may be further divided into sub-functions. This type of structure
is the most widely used because it allows expanded businesses to appoint experts with specialized
knowledge.
For example, in a manufacturing enterprise, basic functions include production, sales, and finance. These
functions can be divided into sub-functions such as repair and maintenance, and quality control. This
concept originated from F.W. Taylor's functional foremanship, which recommended appointing specialists
at different positions so subordinates could serve and receive orders from multiple specialists and
managers.
Suitability
When jobs related to a specific product are grouped under one department, it is called a divisional
structure. This type of structure is ideal for large organizations with multiple products. In this
method, a separate department is created for each major product, and each department is led by a
divisional manager responsible for all functional activities related to that department. Every
department functions as a multifunctional unit, performing all necessary tasks. Each division
operates as a profit center, with the divisional head accountable for its profit and loss.
Suitability
It is important to determine the profit and loss for each product line.
The enterprise creates more departments and introduces new levels of management.
Organizations are networks of relationships among people working together to achieve the best output in
an enterprise. Based on these relationships, organizations can be classified into two types: formal and
informal.
Formal Organization
A formal organization refers to an official structure of well-defined jobs, each with specific authority and
responsibility. This structure is deliberately designed by management to achieve specific tasks and goals.
In a formal organization, positions and authority levels are clearly defined, enabling people to work
together effectively. Each person is accountable for their performance, and there is a clear superior-
subordinate relationship. The structure of a formal organization can be either functional or divisional.
An informal organization is a network of social relationships that emerge naturally due to interactions
among people within a formal organization. Unlike formal organizations, informal ones are not pre-
planned; they develop spontaneously from frequent contact and social needs that cannot be met through
formal structures. Informal organizations lack prescribed rules and policies, arising instead from social
UNIT-3
Meaning of Leadership
A leader is a person who can influence others and holds managerial authority. Leadership involves:
Influencing and supporting others to work enthusiastically towards achieving goals.
Guiding a group to achieve objectives.
Leader vs. manager
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Leaders focus on doing the right thing, while managers focus on doing things right.
Leaders ask, "What should we be doing?" while managers ask, "How can we do what we're
already doing better?"
Leaders focus on vision, mission, goals, and objectives, while managers focus on productivity and
efficiency.
Empathy
Consistency
Honesty
Direction
Communication
Assuming obligation
Importance of Leadership
Initiates action
Motivates
Provides guidance
Create confidence
Ensure coordination
Leaders are born, not made. This approach suggests that a person either possesses the necessary
traits of leadership at birth or does not.
It believes that only certain individuals are born with the unique traits required for leadership.
The Great Man Theory emphasizes "charismatic" leadership.
Regardless of the group, a natural leader will always be recognized for their inherent leadership
qualities.
Leadership requires specific qualities such as commanding presence, charm, courage, intelligence,
persuasiveness, and aggressiveness.
2. Leader–member exchange theory
According to the Great Man Theory, leadership is centered on the interactions between a leader and a
subordinate. However, the Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) theory focuses on the dynamic, interactive
relationships rather than just the leader-follower relationship. LMX theory suggests that a leader should
not have the same association with every group member because people have different needs and require
different interactions. The theory posits that leaders form strong, trust-based, emotional, and respect-
driven relationships with some team members but not with others. LMX theory asserts that leaders do
not treat each subordinate equally, acknowledging the variability in their interactions.
a k
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3. Fiedler’s Contingency Model
Fiedler's model posits that a leader’s effectiveness is contingent on the favorability of the leadership
situation, determined by three factors:
Leader-Member Relations: The degree of trust and likability between the leader and group
members, and their willingness to follow the leader.
Task Structure: The clarity and structure of the group's task, including how well-defined and
detailed it is.
Position Power: The authority and power the leader holds within the organization to influence
group members.
These variables create eight combinations of group-task situations to identify the most effective
leadership style for each.
Leader’s trait
In order to assess the attitudes of the leader, Fiedler developed the ‘least preferred co-worker’ (LPC)
scale in which the leaders are asked about the person with whom they least like to work. The scale is a
questionnaire consisting of 16 items
c used to reflect a leader’s underlying disposition toward others. The
items in the LPC scale are
Pleasant / Unpleasant,
Friendly / Unfriendly,
Rejecting / Accepting,
Unenthusiastic / Enthusiastic,
Tense / Relaxed,
Cold / Warm,
Helpful / Frustrating,
Cooperative / Uncooperative,
Supportive / Hostile,
Quarrelsome / Harmonious,
Efficient / Inefficient,
Gloomy / Cheerful,
Distant / Close,
Boring / Interesting,
Self-Assured / Hesitant,
Open / Guarded.
Friendly
Unfriendly
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Fiedler states that leaders with high LPC scores are relationship-oriented and the ones with low scores
are task-oriented. The high LPC score leaders derived most satisfaction from interpersonal relationships
and therefore evaluate their least preferred co-workers in fairly favorable terms. These leaders think
about the task accomplishment only after the relationship need is well satisfied. On the other hand, the
low LPC score leaders derived satisfaction from performance of the task and attainment of objectives
and only after tasks have been accomplished, these leaders work on establishing good social and
interpersonal relationships.
Figure 1: Correlation between leader’s LPC scores and group effectiveness Leadership
5. Managerial Grid
Developed by R.R. Blake and J.S. Mouton, the Managerial Grid Theory helps managers identify their
leadership style based on two dimensions: Concern for People and Concern for Production. It outlines
five basic leadership styles:
I. Country Club Management (1, 9): Leaders prioritize social needs over productivity, creating a
friendly but potentially unproductive environment with disorganized schedules and low
productivity.
II. Authority-Compliance Management (9, 1): Leaders focus on productivity over employee
needs, enforcing strict rules and schedules. This autocratic style emphasizes obedience and high
productivity.
III. Impoverished Management (1, 1): Leaders show low concern for both employees and
productivity. They avoid involvement, leading to disorganized and uncoordinated teams.
IV. Middle-of-the-road Management (5, 5): Leaders balance employee needs and productivity
without excelling in either. Communication is good, but this style often results in moderate
success and frequent conflicts.
V. Team Management (9, 9): Leaders equally value employee needs and productivity, fostering
high team spirit and commitment. This ideal style ensures organized tasks, high motivation, and
effective problem-solving, leading to high productivity.
Meaning Of Motivation:
Motivation is the process of stimulating people to action to accomplish desired goals. Motivation is a
managerial function which has been defined by different scholars. Some of the important definitions are
as follows:
According to Edwin B.Flippo, “Motivation is the process of attempting to influence others to do your
will through the possibility of gain or reward.”
According to Dalton E. McFarland, “Motivation refers to the way in which urges, drives, desires,
aspirations, and strivings or needs direct, control or explain the behavior of human beings.”
Nature of Motivation:
Internal Influence: Motivation is an internal feeling that drives behavior.
Individual Variation: The effectiveness of motivation varies by individual.
Goal Achievement: Motivation leads to positive goal attainment in organizations.
Relation to Satisfaction: Motivation is closely linked to satisfaction.
Positive and Negative: Motivation can be both positive and negative.
Complex Process: Motivation is complex due to individuals' diverse expectations, perceptions,
and reactions.
Needs and Values: Stronger motivation arises from needs aligned with personal values.
MOTIVATIONAL THEORIES
1. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: According to Maslow’s theory of needs, individual needs are arranged
in a hierarchy. There are five categories of needs
I. Physiological needs
II. Safety needs
III. Love and belonging
IV. Esteem
V. Self-actualization
Hygiene Factors: Extrinsic factors like compensation, job security, working conditions, and
relationships. These prevent dissatisfaction but don't increase satisfaction.
Motivational Factors: Intrinsic factors such as achievement, recognition, and responsibility. These
lead to satisfaction and motivate employees to perform better.
5. McClelland's Theory of Needs:
Developed by David McClelland, this theory identifies three key needs:
Need for Achievement (nAch): The drive to excel and achieve set standards.
Need for Power (nPow): The desire to control and influence others.
Need for Affiliation (nAff): The desire for friendly and cooperative interactions.
8. Equity Theory:
This theory suggests that motivation is influenced by an individual's perception of fairness. Employees
compare their input-output ratios with others and feel motivated when they perceive fairness and
demotivated when they perceive inequity.
Definition:
Organizational Behavior (OB) is a field of study that explores how individuals, groups, and organizational
structures influence and are influenced by behavior within organizations. Behavior encompasses what
people do in the organization, their performance, and their attitudes. OB is often applied to business
organizations to address workplace issues such as absenteeism, turnover, productivity, motivation,
teamwork, and job satisfaction. Managers use insights from OB research to manage their organizations
more effectively.
In essence, OB involves understanding, predicting, and managing human behavior both individually and
in groups within an organizational context.
Importance of OB:
Contributing Disciplines to OB
MCOB (MBA 1st Semester)
Organizational behaviour is an applied behavioral science that is built upon contributions from a number
of behavioral disciplines. The predominant areas are psychology, sociology, social psychology,
anthropology, and political science
1. Psychology
2. Sociology
3. Social psychology
4. Anthropology
5. Political science
The subject of ob is based on few fundamental concepts which revolve around the nature of people and
organizations. The basic assumptions in OB are:
Elements of OB:
A conceptual model is a representation of a system, made of the composition of concepts which are used
to help people know, understand, or simulate a subject the model represents.
Individual Processes: The behavior of an individual employee is influenced by factors such as mental
makeup, family background, cultural background, and social background. These factors are studied
through perception, personality, values, attitudes, job satisfaction, motivation, and learning.
Perception: A complex cognitive process that creates a unique view of the world, influencing
behavior based on this perceptual world.
Personality: The sum of ways an individual reacts and interacts with others, shaped by heredity,
environment, and situations.
Values: Basic convictions that certain behaviors or end states are preferable.
Attitudes: Evaluative statements about objects, people, or events.
Job Satisfaction: A person's feeling of satisfaction at work, which motivates them to perform.
Motivation: The process that determines an individual's intensity, direction, and persistence of
effort toward a goal.
MCOB (MBA 1st Semester)
Learning: A relatively permanent change in behavior resulting from experience.
Interpersonal and Team Processes: The integrated behavior of people in a group, studied through
communication, leadership, group dynamics, and teamwork.
Interpersonal Communication: The transfer and understanding of information, which can be formal
or informal, and occur in various directions (downward, upward, horizontal, crosswise).
Leadership: The ability to influence a group toward goal achievement, encompassing styles like
autocratic, benevolent, participatory, and democratic.
Teamwork: When individual efforts result in performance greater than the sum of individual
inputs. Types of teams include self-managed, problem-solving, cross-functional, and virtual teams.
Group Dynamics: The study of both formal and informal groups that exist until their purpose is
achieved.
Organizational Processes: The division, grouping, and coordination of job tasks, structured based on
departments, functions, products, and services.
Challenges and Opportunities for OB: OB considers organizations as being composed of levels, from
individuals to groups to the entire organizational structure. Each level contributes to workplace activities,
with group concepts building on individual behavior and structural constraints overlaying both to form
OB.
When we look at the different levels in the organization, we recognize that each has challenges that can
affect how the levels above and/or below might operate. We consider the challenges at the individual,
group, and organizational levels.
• Individual Differences
• Job Satisfaction
• Motivation
• Empowerment
• Behaving Ethically
• Working with others
• Workforce diversity
• Productivity
• Developing effective employees
• Putting people first
• Global competition
• Managing and working in a multicultural world.
Perceptual Process
The perceptual process comprises several stages:
Receiving: Sensory organs like eyes, ears, and skin receive stimuli from the environment, such
as sounds, smells, and physical sensations.
Selecting: Individuals filter and focus on relevant stimuli based on factors like size, intensity,
repetition, contrast, movement, novelty, familiarity, and personal interests.
Organizing: Organizing involves arranging selected stimuli into a meaningful whole using
principles like figure-ground relationships, perceptual grouping (based on similarity, proximity,
closure, and continuity), and perceptual constancy (maintaining stable perceptions despite
changes in stimuli).
Interpreting: This stage involves assigning meaning to organized stimuli, influenced by factors
such as perceptual set (pre-existing beliefs shaping interpretations), stereotyping (judging based
on group membership), the halo effect (bias from a single trait), projection (attributing own
attributes to others), and selective perception (focusing on stimuli that align with personal
interests and beliefs).
Checking and Reacting: After interpreting information, individuals verify their interpretations
against reality and then react accordingly, forming attitudes, opinions, beliefs, and emotions
about the perceived objects or events.
Characteristics of the Perceiver: Past experiences, needs, personality traits, values, and
attitudes shape how individuals perceive their environment.
Characteristics of the Perceived: Physical attributes, behavior, and appearance of the target
influence how they are perceived.
Characteristics of the Situation: The physical, social, and organizational context in which
perception occurs affects how individuals interpret stimuli.
In summary, perception is a dynamic process crucial for understanding human behavior and decision-
making, shaped by both external stimuli and internal cognitive processes.
ATTITUDE
Attitudes are defined as mental states of readiness, shaped and organized through experiences,
influencing how individuals respond to people, objects, and situations they encounter. These learned
predispositions can be either positive or negative towards specific aspects of our environment.
Components of Attitudes
Affective Component: This refers to the emotional or feeling aspect linked to an attitude object.
For example, a fear of spiders might lead to a negative affective response towards them.
Cognitive Component: This involves the beliefs, thoughts, and attributes associated with an
attitude object. Attitudes can be based on positive or negative attributes perceived about
something.
Behavioral Component: This component reflects past behaviors or experiences related to the
attitude object. People often infer their attitudes from their past actions or interactions with the
object.
Functions of Attitudes
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Adjustment Function: Directs individuals toward pleasant or rewarding objects and away from
unpleasant or undesirable ones.
Ego-Defensive Function: Helps protect the ego or self-image from threats, with outward
expressions often reflecting the opposite of perceived threats.
Value-Expression Function: Allows individuals to express their central values through their
attitudes, translating abstract values into tangible expressions.
Knowledge Function: Aids in creating a structured and understandable world, fulfilling the
human need for consistency, stability, definition, and understanding.
1. Heredity: This refers to genetic factors determined at conception. It encompasses the molecular
structure of genes within chromosomes, influencing physical traits such as facial attractiveness and
muscle composition inherited from parents.
2. Environment: This broad term includes the cultural context in which individuals are raised,
cultural norms, early conditioning, and social groups they belong to.
4. Socialization Process: This process involves acquiring behavioral tendencies initially from family
and later from broader social groups and organizational environments.
These factors collectively shape how individuals perceive, interact with, and respond to their
surroundings, contributing to the formation of their unique personality traits and behaviors.
Personality Traits
Personality traits are the enduring qualities or characteristics that describes an individual behavior.
Extraverted (E) vs. Introverted (I): Extraverted individuals are characterized as outgoing, sociable, and
assertive, while introverts tend to be quieter and more reserved.
Sensing (S) vs. Intuitive (N): Sensing types are pragmatic, preferring routine and structure while
focusing on details. Intuitive types rely on unconscious processes and emphasize the broader perspective
or big picture.
Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F): Thinking types use logic and reason to approach problems, whereas feeling
types prioritize personal values and emotions in decision-making.
Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P): Judging types seek control and prefer structured environments. Perceiving
types are adaptable and spontaneous, often embracing flexibility.
⮚ Feel impatient with the rate at which most events take place;
⮚ Are obsessed with numbers, measuring their success in terms of how much of everything they
acquire.
Type B people are relaxed, less stressed, flexible, emotional and expressive, and have a laid- back
attitude.
They –
⮚ Never suffer from sense of time urgency with its accompanying impatience;
Group Dynamics
A group is defined as two or more individuals, interacting and interdependent, who have come together
to achieve particular objectives
Classification of groups
MCOB (MBA 1st Semester)
Groups can be either formal or informal.
1. Formal Groups: These are designated work groups defined by the organization’s structure. They
are established to carry out work in support of the organization's goals, with behaviors directed toward
achieving these goals. Examples include a bookkeeping department, an executive committee, and a
product development team. Formal groups can be command groups, task groups, or committees.
Command Group: Consists of a manager and the employees who report to them, defined by
the organizational hierarchy. Membership is determined by each employee's position on the
organizational chart.
Task Group: Comprises employees who work together to complete a specific task or project.
Membership is based on the responsibilities delegated to each employee, and these groups can
cross command relationships. Task groups can be temporary with a set lifespan or open-ended.
Committee: A group officially delegated to perform functions such as investigating,
considering, reporting, or acting on matters. Committees investigate, analyze, and debate
problems and make recommendations, which are sent to the authority responsible for
implementation. Committees typically have members with specific roles such as advisory
authority and secretary.
Characteristics of Formal Groups:
Well-defined norms
1. Forming: The group comes together and gets to initially know one other and form as a group.
4. Performing: The group practices its craft and becomes effective in meeting its objectives.
5. Adjourning: The process of "unforming" the group, that is, letting go of the group structure and
moving on.
Because the performance of a group involves taking into account the needs and opinions of every group
member, being able to come to an equitable decision as efficiently as possible is important for the
functioning of the group. There are a variety of ways to make decisions as a group; the seven-step
decision-making model presented below offers an effective structure for choosing an appropriate course
of action for a particular task or project. It can also be an effective method for dealing with a problem or
interpersonal conflict that arises within the group.
All groups have norms—“acceptable standards of behavior that are shared by the group’s members.”
Norms tell members what they ought and ought not to do under certain circumstances
Status: Status is a socially defined position or rank given to groups or group members by others. We
live in a class-structured society despite all attempts to make it more egalitarian
Group Size: The size of a group affects the group’s overall behavior, but the effect depends on the
dependent variables
Social loafing: It is the tendency for individuals to expend less effort when working collectively than
when working individually.
Group Cohesiveness: The degree to which members are attracted to each other and are motivated to
stay in the group
Team
A team is a work group that must rely on collaboration if each member is to experience the optimum
success and achievement.
"A team is a small number of people with complementary skills .who are committed to a common
purpose, performance goals, and approach for which they are mutually accountable”.
Team leaders place considerable emphasis on team building and then evaluate their own performance on
the basis.
⮚ Help to keep team focused on the mission despite personality conflict, work style difference and
blockages by interpersonal conflict
⮚ Build trust and inspire teamwork
Types of Teams
1. Process Team: These teams operate without a specific departmental affiliation, focusing on
broad organizational process improvements.
2. Self-Managed Team: A self-managed team is a mature group of employees who work without
supervisory oversight and are responsible for an entire work package. These teams select their
own members and evaluate performance, often necessitating significant organizational
restructuring.
5. Virtual Team: Virtual teams allow members to collaborate without concern for physical location,
linking the workforce in ways previously impossible. These teams leverage advanced technology
to achieve business goals, solve problems, provide feedback, maintain awareness, share
successes, and encourage achievement. Geographic dispersion is not a barrier to their
effectiveness.
Effective Team:
An effective team possesses certain characteristics that enhance the efficiency and productivity of its
members. They share leadership roles and accountability, focusing on collective performance rather than
individual efforts. Building and maintaining such teams requires time and attention to detail, a process
MCOB (MBA 1st Semester)
often overlooked by managers and staff. However, successful teamwork significantly boosts productivity
and reduces costs.
1. Two-Way Trust and Open Communication: Effective teams thrive in environments where trust is
mutual, and communication is open and honest. This fosters a sense of security and transparency
among team members.
2. Constant Two-Way Feedback: Continuous feedback loops provide team members with
information on how their work contributes to the team’s goals. This helps align individual efforts
with the team's overall objectives.
3. Active Listening: Effective communication within a team includes active listening. Members listen
to each other's ideas and concerns, ensuring that everyone's voice is heard and valued.
4. Shared Responsibility: Team members take collective responsibility for mistakes, avoiding blame
and focusing on solutions. This approach prevents a blame culture and promotes accountability.
5. Celebration of Success: Teams celebrate their achievements together and recognize individual
contributions. This builds morale and reinforces a sense of accomplishment.
6. Pride and Humility: Good teamwork is built on pride in the team’s outcomes and humility in
recognizing and valuing the expertise of others. This balance fosters respect and collaboration.
7. Learning from Mistakes: Mistakes are seen as learning opportunities rather than occasions for
criticism and punishment. However, repeated errors are addressed seriously, while appropriate
risks and innovations are encouraged.
8. Honoring Contributions: Effective teams acknowledge and honor each member’s contributions to
the team’s success, ensuring that everyone feels valued and integral to the team’s achievements.