Regina Munoz

A reaction paper on Gray John’s The nature of work, the context of organizational

behavior, and the application of industrial organizational psychology

History has shown that the nature of work is in a constant process of change. It is

changing before our very eyes. As mentioned in the article, managers, employees, unionists, and

IO psychologists all had the same viewpoint about jobs-were static devices, attached to

organizations, clearly demarcated from other jobs, and closely associated with particular

incumbents. Also those jobs are socially constructed and this social construction is changing.

How organizations are being made up are becoming flatter as jobs are being described on

a broader way, jobs also change with changing business needs. Changes are also occurring

between the relationship of the organizations and the people. As mentioned in the article,

managers appear to be expanding the scope of many jobs to include factors such as flexibility,

teamwork, self-management, and so on while, on the other hand many jobs are being broken

away from their former social context via mechanisms such as outsourcing, limited contracts,

and part-time status. Having flexible skills and having a desire and ability to learn are among the

expectations that organizations look forward to their employees. Compared to how it was before,

there is a very much difference in the nature of employment contract nowadays when it comes to

the average length of the relationship, employee expectations of employers, and the basis for

continued employment. Although advanced technological information has a contributed to these

great changes, advances in technology are most important since there will be a higher

competition and this requires new levels of technical sophistication from all employees. As the

nature of work changes rapidly, the demographic profile of the workforce is also changing. I/O

Psychologists have an investment in understanding the changes that are occurring and helping to

shape the workplace, and work life, of the future. An online article also states how IO

psychologists can tackle all areas of the world of work as part of its practices:

In terms of practice, this is a time for I/O experts to provide guidance to organizations on

how to maintain and increase performance effectiveness within new structures of

organizations and work. We can help employers select the right people for new forms of

jobs, set performance expectations that are linked to corporate strategy, evaluate and

Regina Munoz

manage performance of employees and contractors working side-by-side, and develop

monetary and non-monetary compensation systems that are flexible and perceived as fair.

Through the various changes in the world of work, dealing and tackling the issues and

changes have to be given attention by research psychologists. Moreover, the changes in the

context of work and how these affects the organizational behavior is to e understood more and be

considered and the application of valid psychological researches be applied in the organizations

for its effectiveness.