Introduction to

Organizational Behavior
 What is OB?

“The understanding,
prediction & management
of human behavior in
organizations”
 Value of OB

“Helps people attain the competencies

needed to become effective
employees, team leaders/members, or
managers”
Competencies
Managing Self
Managing Communication
Managing Diversity
Managing Ethics
Managing Across Cultures
Managing Teams
Managing Change
 Key points

• OB deals with human behavior

• Humanistic orientation
• Interdisciplinary
• Performance Oriented
Contributions to the Study of OB

Discipline Unit of Analysis Output

Psychology
Individual

Sociology

Social Organizational
Psychology Group Behavior

Anthropology

Organization
Political Science
 Understanding OB

Organizational
effectiveness
Power Politics, Conflict,
Group Structure, Change
effectiveness
Group Behavior, Work Teams,
Communication
Individual
effectiveness
Learning, Perception,
Personality, Motivation,
Stress, Leadership
 Understanding Behavior

• Traditional Perspective (S -> R model)

• Behavioral Perspective (S<->O<->B model)

• Input-Output Model
 Individual Behavior
Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere where individual
differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is
open, and rules are flexible -- the kind of atmosphere that is found in a
nurturing family.
 Individual Behavior
• Individuals are different
• Factors shaping individual behavior – Physiological/ Psychological
• Individual characteristics influence work behavior

Criteria for
Personality Perceptions performance
Individual
Ability Performance
+ Motivation
Values Attitudes
+ Opportunity/
Resources
 Y = f (X)

Dependent Independent
Variable Variable

Productivity Biographical char.

Absenteeism Ability
Turnover Personality
Job Satisfaction Learning
 Individual differences

Biographical Characteristics
• Age
• Gender
• Marital Status
• Number of dependents
• Tenure/ Work experience
 Individual differences

Ability
• Intellectual Abilities
Numerical aptitude, Verbal comprehension,
Reasoning, Spatial visualization, Memory ability

• Physical Abilities

The Ability – Job fit