ethics

Organization Behavior

OB – A Prelude

What are organizations? Why do organizations exist? Organizational effectiveness

Meaning of OB

OB refers to the behavior of individuals and groups within organizations and the interaction between organizations and their external environment.

OB is a field of study that investigates the impact of that individuals, groups and structure have on behavior within organizations for the purpose of applying such knowledge towards improving an organization’s effectiveness.

Characteristics of OB

A study of behavior, attitudes and performance and attitudes of people in organizations.

Emphasis on applied psychology A cause and effect study A branch of social science

Goals of OB

Description of human behavior Understanding it

Individual behavior Interpersonal Group Inter group

Prediction of human behavior

Exercise 1

To determine your likeability, add the ten numbers you selected as your answers. The number will range from 10 to 50. A higher score indicates a higher likeability.

Goals of OB (cont.)

Control (belief that organisms respond to stimulus) Leadership Motivation Communication Organizational change and development Organizational climate

Philosophical concepts

Caused / motivated behavior A whole person Individual differences Human dignity

OB is an applied behavioral science which derives heavily from: Psychology Sociology Anthropology Political Science Economics Medicine and many others

Functions of Management

Planning Organizing Leading Controlling

Managerial roles

Interpersonal roles Figurehead Leader Liaison

Managerial roles (cont.)

Informational Monitor Disseminator Spokesperson

Decisional Entrepreneur Disturbance handler Resource allocator Negotiator

Ethical Dilemmas

Situation 1Sam works for you. He is technically capable and a good worker, but does not get along well with people in the group. When Sam gets an opportunity to get a transfer, you encourage him to take it. What would you say to Sam’s potential supervisor when he asks about Sam?

Ethical Dilemmas (cont.)

Situation 2Your boss has told you that you must reduce your work group by 30 percent. Which criteria would you use to lay off workers?


Probable answers to situation 2 Lay off older, higher paid employees Lay off younger, lower paid

employees Lay off workers based on seniority

only Lay off workers based on

performance only

Ethical Dilemmas

Situation 3You are engineer employed with ABC Ltd. but not working on the company’s Department of Transportation project. You overhear a conversation in the cafeteria that a large contract is going to be given to ABC company to develop a DOT subsystem. This contract is likely to positively influence the share prices of the company. Would you buy shares of ABC Ltd.? Would you share this information with some

one else?


Situation 4You work for a cigarette company and up till now you have not been convinced that cigarettes cause cancer. Recently you have got conclusive evidence of the same. What would you do?


Situation 5You are the CEO of a company, a close competitor of which has made an un patentable discovery likely to boost profits. Would you attempt to hire employees of the competitor company who know all the intricate details of this company?

Dilemmas to be evaluated in the light of the following questions:

What if everyone acted this way? Would you want someone to do this

for / to you? Can you comfortably defend your

actions? Are there any other alternatives

which are more ethical?

OB Challenges:

Diversity management Changing demographics of workforce Changed employee expectations Globalization Promoting ethical behavior Technology transformation

Diversity Management

Dimensions of diversity Age Gender Sexual orientation Ethnic heritage Race Mental/physical abilities / characteristics

Diversity Management (cont.) Dimensions of diversity

Geographic location Cultural experience Work experience Income Religion First language Organizational role and level Communication style Family status Work style Education

Barriers to accepting diversity

Prejudice Ethnocentrism Stereotypes Discrimination Harassment Sexual harassment Backlash

Foundations of individual behavior

Biographical characteristics Abilities (mental and physical)

Study of individual behavior is aimed at finding the right ability job fit.

Learning

Any permanent change in behavior that occurs as a result of experience.

Steps in the process: Acquiring new input Assimilating new input Internalization of the input Availability of internalized input for use

(generally involves creativity) Improved capacity for learning

Learning Theories

Classical conditioning Smells and sounds evoke memories Unconditioned stimulus evokes

unconditioned response Conditioning is required to produce a

conditioned response▪ Goof off when no one is watching▪ Arrive on time / late

Learning Theories

Operant conditioning Good acts are positively reinforced and

bad acts are negatively reinforced leading to desired voluntary behavior.▪ We automatically pull back our hand when it

comes in contact with a hot object.

Learning Theories

Social Learning Theory People learn through observation and

direct experience.▪ Pay attention▪ Retain ▪ Do▪ Reinforce

Other theories

Cognitive dissonance Adult learning theories (CAL)

Capitalize on experience Adapt to limitation Learning programmes

Methods of shaping behavior:

Reinforcement Positive Negative Extinction▪ Some type of reinforcement is required to

change behavior▪ Some types of rewards are more effective in

changing behavior▪ Timing of reinforcement is important

(continuous or intermittent)

Organizational applications: Reduction in absenteeism (rewarding no

absence) Well pay (sick pay reinforces wrong behavior) Discipline (match severity of crime with

punishment) Training (provide opportunity to practice new

behaviors and internalize positive ones) Mentoring Self management (to reduce external

negative reinforcement)

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