Organisational Behaviour
OB is concerned with the study of what people do in an organization and how their
behaviour affects the organizations performance
OB includes the core topics of motivation, leader behaviour and power, interpersonal
communication, group structure and processes, learning, attitude development and
perception, change processes, conflict, work design and work stress
(Robin & Judge, 2009:45)
Individual Behavior
Scientists refer to the ways in which people differ from one
another as individual differences, and such unique qualities
can have major influence on our thinking and behavior
Individual Behaviour
How does age affect productivity?
Older workers bring to their jobs their experience,
judgment and strong work ethics and commitment
to quality
BUT
They also lack flexibility and are often resistant to
change and to new technology
Individual Behaviour
Individual Behaviour
Social Learning
Individuals can learn by observing what happens to other
people and just by being told about something as well as
through direct experience. The ability to learn through both
observation and direct experience is called social learning
theory. Four processes are necessary:
Attention: recognize and pay attention
Retention: remember
Motor reproduction: watching must be converted to doing
Reinforcement: positive incentives or rewards are provided
Individual Behaviour
Learning any observable change in behaviour.
Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool for modifying
behaviour. By identifying and rewarding performanceenhancing behaviours, management increases the
likelihood that those behaviours will be repeated.
Although punishment eliminates undesired behaviour more
quickly, it tends to be temporary rather than permanent.
Punishment also produces unpleasant side effects, such as
lower morale and higher absenteeism or turnover. They tend
to be more resentful of the punisher.
Individual Behaviour
Ability: directly influences an employees level of
performance. Ways to achieve:
An effective selection process will improve the fit; a job
analysis will provide information about jobs currently being
done and the abilities that individuals need to perform the
jobs adequately.
Promotion and transfer decisions affecting individuals
should reflect the abilities of the employees
Fine-tuning the job to better match an employees abilities
Question
Answer
Ability refers to an individuals capacity to
perform the various tasks in a job.
Intellectual abilities: the capacity to do mental
activities thinking, reasoning, and problem
solving.
Physical abilities: the capacity to do tasks that
demand stamina, dexterity, and strength
Answer
Dimensions of intellectual abilities:
Number aptitude - arithmetic
Verbal comprehension - understanding
Perceptual speed identify visual similarities &
differences
Inductive reasoning logical sequence
Deductive reasoning use logic to assess
Spatial visualization space & dimension
Memory retain & recall
Answer
Dimensions of physical abilities:
Strength force
Flexibility adapt & adjust
Body coordination
Balance
Stamina
Answer
Organizational Performance
Organizational Performance
Human Capital: the sum of the skills, knowledge, and
general attributes of the people in an organization. It
represents capacity for todays work and potential for
tomorrows work. It encompasses not only easily
observed skills, such as those associated with
operating machinery or selling products, but also the
skills, knowledge, and capabilities of managers and
employees/associates for learning, communicating,
motivating, building trust and effectively working on
teams. It also includes basic values, beliefs, and
attitudes.
Source: Organizational Behavior: A Strategic Approach, Michael A Hitt, C. Chet Miller &
Adrienne Colella (2006:11) John Wiley, Danvers MA.
Organizational Commitment
Organizational commitment is a concept that has to do with the degree of commitment and
loyalty that employees exhibit toward employers/organization.
The underlying idea is that if an employee is truly committed to the goals and aims of the
organization, he or she will manifest that commitment in terms of individual work ethic,
the support of company goals and generally be dedicated to the ongoing success of the
employers business.