Copyright2010PearsonEducation,Inc.PublishingasPrenticeHallChapter 1 Introduction to Organizational BehaviorEssentials of Organizational Behavior, 10/eStephen P. Robbins & Timothy A. JudgeCopyright2010PearsonEducation,Inc.PublishingasPrenticeHallAfter reading this chapter, you should be able to:1.Define organizational behavior (OB).2.Explain the value of the systematic study of OB.3.Identify the contributions made to OB by major behavioral science disciplines.4.Describe how OB concepts can help make organizations more productive.5.List the major challenges and opportunities for managers to use OB concepts.6.Identify the three levels of analysis in OB.Copyright2010PearsonEducation,Inc.PublishingasPrenticeHallThe Field of Organizational BehaviorOrganizational Behavior studies the influence that individuals, groups and structure have on behavior within organizations.Its chief goal is to apply that knowledge toward improving an organizations effectiveness.Copyright2010PearsonEducation,Inc.PublishingasPrenticeHallFocal Points of OBJobsWorkAbsenteeismEmployment turnoverProductivityHuman performanceManagementCopyright2010PearsonEducation,Inc.PublishingasPrenticeHallComplementing Intuition with Systematic StudyIntuition: the “gut feeling” explanation of behavior.Systematic study improves ability to accurately predict behavior.Assumes behavior is not random.Fundamental consistencies underlie behavior.These can be identified and modified to reflect individual differences.Copyright2010PearsonEducation,Inc.PublishingasPrenticeHallSystematic StudyExamines relationships.Attempts to attribute causes and effects.Bases conclusions on scientific evidence:On data gathered under controlled conditions.Data is measured and interpreted in a reasonably rigorous manner.Copyright2010PearsonEducation,Inc.PublishingasPrenticeHallEvidence-Based ManagementComplements systematic study.Bases decisions on the best available scientific evidence.Forces managers to become more scientific in their thinking.Copyright2010PearsonEducation,Inc.PublishingasPrenticeHallContributing Disciplines to the OB FieldMicro:TheIndividualMacro:Groups&OrganizationsCopyright2010PearsonEducation,Inc.PublishingasPrenticeHallFew Absolutes in OBImpossible to make simple and accurate generalizationsHuman beings are complex and diverseOB concepts must reflect situational conditions: contingency variablesCopyright2010PearsonEducation,Inc.PublishingasPrenticeHallChallenges and Opportunities for OB The workplace is contains a wide mix of cultures, races, ethnic groups, genders and agesEmployees have to learn to cope with rapid change due to global competitionCorporate loyalty has decreased due to corporate downsizing and use of temp workersManagers can benefit from OB theory and conceptsCopyright2010PearsonEducation,Inc.PublishingasPrenticeHallResponding to GlobalizationIncreased foreign assignmentsDiffering needs and aspirations in workforceWorking with people from different culturesDomestic motivational techniques and managerial styles may not workOverseeing movement of jobs to countries with low-cost laborCopyright2010PearsonEducation,Inc.PublishingasPrenticeHallManaging Workforce DiversityWorkforce diversity: organizations are becoming a more heterogeneous mix of people in terms of gender, age, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation Copyright2010PearsonEducation,Inc.PublishingasPrenticeHallDiversity Implications“Managers have to shift their philosophy from treating everyone alike to recognizing differences and responding to those differences in ways that ensure employee retention and greater productivity while, at the same time, not discriminating.”Copyright2010PearsonEducation,Inc.PublishingasPrenticeHallOB Offers Insights Into:Improving quality and productivityCustomer service and building a customer-responsive cultureDeveloping people skillsCopyright2010PearsonEducation,Inc.PublishingasPrenticeHallOB Aids in Dealing With:Stimulating Innovation and Change Increasing “temporariness” in the workplaceHelping employees balance work-life conflictsImproving ethical behaviorCopyright2010PearsonEducation,Inc.PublishingasPrenticeHallThinking PositiveCreating a positive work environment can be a competitive advantagePositive Organizational Scholarship (Positive OB): Examines how organizations develop human strengths, foster vitality and resilience, and unlock potential.Focus is on employee strengths, not their weaknesses.Copyright2010PearsonEducation,Inc.PublishingasPrenticeHallThree Levels of OB AnalysisChapters2-7Chapters8-13Chapters14-16PlanoftheBookCopyright2010PearsonEducation,Inc.PublishingasPrenticeHallImplications for ManagersOB helps with:Insights to improve people skillsValuing of workforce diversityEmpowering people and creating a positive work environmentDealing with labor shortagesCoping in a world of temporarinessCreating an ethically healthy work environmentCopyright2010PearsonEducation,Inc.PublishingasPrenticeHallKeep in MindOBs goal is to understand and predict human behavior in organizations.Fundamental consistencies underlie behavior.It is more important than ever to learn OB concepts.Both managers and employees must learn to cope with temporariness.Copyright2010PearsonEducation,Inc.PublishingasPrenticeHallSummary1.Defined Organizational Behavior (OB).2.Explained the value of the systematic study of OB.3.Identified the contributions made to OB by major behavioral science disciplines.4.Described how OB concepts can help make organizations more productive.5.Listed the major challenges and opportunities for managers to use OB concepts.6.Identified the three levels of analysis in OB.Copyright2010PearsonEducation,Inc.PublishingasPrenticeHallAll rights reserved. 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