What is Organizational Behaviour?

• . . . a field of study that investigates

how individuals, groups and structure
affect and are affected by behaviour
within organizations, for the purpose of
applying such knowledge toward
improving an organization’s
effectiveness
 Why Do We Study OB?
• To learn about yourself and how to deal with
others
• You are part of an organization now, and will
• continue to be a part of various organizations
• Organizations are increasingly expecting
• individuals to be able to work in teams, at
• least some of the time
• Some of you may want to be managers or
• Entrepreneurs
•  
 What is an Organization?
• A consciously coordinated social unit,
composed of two or more people, that
functions on a relatively continuous basis
to achieve a common goal or set of
goals.
 SUMMARY
• OB is a field of study that investigates the
impact that individuals, groups, and
structure have on behaviour within an
organization. Focuses on improving
productivity, reducing absenteeism and
turnover, and increasing employee job
satisfaction and organizational
commitment.
• Uses systematic study to improve
predictions of behaviour.
 ROOT METAPHORS FOR ‘READING’
ORGANISATIONS
• What you see is where you stand
• Ie. What you see depends on the root
metaphor you employ
• METAPHOR
• Refers to a set of images through which a
phenomenon is apprehended eg
• Mother is a ‘battle axe’
• Parliament is a children’s play ground