Unit 2: Individual in the organisation

Aim: Understanding the impact of individual differences in organisations

Individual differences

Dispositional factors account for 30-50% of the differences in an individual’s behavior

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Examples:

“The ways we think, the way we interpret out environment and the ways we respond to that environment are unique”

3. Attitudes 2. Individual perception 1. Personality traits

What is personality?Definition:

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Source: Nature vs. Nurture?

•Set of unique traits and other mental characteristics that give consistency to an individual's behavior across situations

What “twin studies” reveal?The role of genesThe role of environment,

including cultureGene X Environment

interactions

Personality Development

Does personalitychange across the lifespan?

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Are there “windows ofopportunity” forpersonality change?

How do we measure personality?

1. Observation

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3. Validated paper and pencil (or computerized) tests and inventories

2. Projective tests such as inkblots and TAT's

So,Let’s look at our

self assessments!

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Locus of control•Definition:Definition: the extent to which

one believes that the things that happen to them are under their own or others’ control

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Spheres of controlSpheres of control: personal, interpersonal, or sociopoliticalHas effects on: Motivation, leadership, job selection and design, stress, and changeCultural differences may determine locus of control

Locus of Control: Internals

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Are independent, like to participate indecisions, are involved in work, adjust towork and handle job stress well, like toinfluence others, are future rather thanpresent oriented, are achievementoriented

Believe their own abilities and efforts control the things that happen to them

Locus of Control: Externals

Believe that others, situations, and fate control what happens to them.

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They prefer structure, do not like towork independently, have fewexpectations based on past successesor failures, and are susceptible to influence attempts by others

Machiavellianism“Degree to which one uses deceit, lying,

andcompromising ethics to attain one’s own

selfinterest; strong believers in “the end

justifiesthe means”

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High Mach’s:

Do not let feelings and loyalty to get in the way of obtaining own end

Try to manipulate ambiguous situations to control them

Are cool and calculatingHave lots of self confidence and self esteem

Individual perception:“Process by which an individual organise

and interpret his sensory impressions in order to give meanings to his environment”

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Implications for managementPay attention to employee’s perceptions about his job, management practices and organisational systems.

Attribution theory:“When individuals observe behaviour,

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Evaluation of behaviour ib terms of 3 dimensions:

Consensus

ConsistencyDistinctiveness

They attempt to determine whether it is internally or externally caused” ( Robbins, 1998)

Consensus: Degree to which other people behave in the same way in a given situation.

Distinctiveness: Degree to which theperson’s behaviour in a given situation issimilar in other situations.

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Consistency: Degree to which a person responds in the same way over time.

Implication of attribution theory

High consensus + High distinctiveness +Low consistency = External causes

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Low consensus + Low distinctiveness +High consistency = Internal causes

Attitudes

“ A mental or neural state of readiness, organised through experience, exerting a direct or dynamic influence upon the individual’s response to all objects & situations with which it is related”

( Allport, 1954)

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Job satisfaction

“ A pleasurable or positive emotional state resulting from the appraisal of one’s job or job experience” ( Locke, 1976)

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“ The amount of overall positive effect (or feelings) that individuals have from the appraisal of one’s job “ ( Arnold & Feldman, 1988)

Determinants of job satisfaction:

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Organisation itself

Management style e.g autocratic

Nature of job

Recognition: Promotion

Working conditions & environment

Pay/ remunerations

ActivitéJust look at the picture briefly (10-15 seconds) and write the story it suggests.

QUIZ: Test on locus of controlRank the five values in each of the

two categories from 1 (most important to you) to 5 (least important to you)

___ Ambitious

___ Honest ___ Independent ___ Loving ___ Obedient