SOCIAL AND

O R G A N I S AT I O N A L
B E H AV I O U R

LORRAINE DILLON

L D I L L O N @ S TA F F. N C I R L . I E

Note: Content from Robbins et al., 2017 SEPTEMBER 2022

 Robbins, S.P., Judge, T.A. and
Campbell, T.T. (2017), Organizational
Behavior, 2nd Ed., Pearson Education
(FT Prentice Hall).
 W H AT I S
O R G A N I S AT I O N A L
B E H AV I O U R ?
 O R G A N I S A T I O N A L B E H AV I O U R ( O B )

Is a field of study that investigates the impact that

individuals, groups and structure have on behaviour
within organisations, for the purpose of applying such
knowledge towards improving an organisations
effectiveness.
 OB CORE TOPICS

Leader
Interpersonal Group structure
Motivation behaviour and
communication and processes
power

Attitude
Change Conflict and
development Work design
processes negotiation
and perception
D I S C I P L I N E S T H AT C O N T R I B U T E
TO THE OB FIELD

PSYCHOLOGY SOCIAL SOCIOLOGY ANTHROPOLOG

PSYCHOLOGY Y
(Figure 1.2 Towards an
OB discipline Robbins et
al., 2017, p.12)
 CHALLENGES AND
OPPORTUNITIES FOR OB
• Responding to economic pressures: In good times understanding how to reward, satisfy and retain employees is
key. In bad times, issues such as stress, decision making and coping are most important.

• Responding to globalisation: Organisations are no longer constrained by national borders.

• Managing workforce diversity: While globalisation focuses on differences among people from different countries,
workforce diversity addresses differences among people in given countries.

• Improving customer service: OB can help managers increase success of interactions by showing how employee
attitudes and behaviour influence customer satisfaction.
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
FOR OB

Improving people skills: (Sometimes called interpersonal skills) skills used to communicate and interact
with others effectively.

Working in networked organisations: E.g. working from home managers need to be able to motivate, lead
and make collaborative decisions online which can take different techniques then face-to-face

Enhancing employee wellbeing a work: Many workers never get away from the virtual workplace/
employees experiencing work-life conflict

Creating a positive work environment: E.g. foster vitality, resilience and unlock potential

Improving ethical behaviour: What's right what's wrong behaviour

(Figure 1.4 A basic OB model
Robbins et al., 2017, p.22.)
• What interpersonal skills
do you have?

• What interpersonal skills

would you like to develop
this year and how will you
go about it?
THANK YOU