Organisational Behaviour

Week 2 Business IT/Systems

Presentation Reading
This presentation is based on Chapter 2 of Laurie J. Mullins book on Management and Organisational Behaviour

This can be accessed in the University Library on shelf number:

658.4 MUL

What is Organisational Behaviour

Organisations cant exist without the people who work within them

Understanding the behaviour of people within organisations is essential in the modern business world
Organisational Behaviour is the study of individual and group behaviour, and patterns of structure in order to help improve organisational performance and effectiveness Does NOT replace Management Theory, but has a close relationship with it

Why Study OB, I thought this was a course on Business IT ?

Chris Argyris (1964) Integrating the Individual and the Organisation, John Wiley and Sons

Organisations are extremely complex systems. As one observes them they seem to be composed of human activities on many different levels of analysis. Personalities, small groups, intergroups, norms, values, attitudes all seem to exist in an extremely complex multidimensional pattern. The complexity seems at times almost beyond comprehension.

To Understand OB you need...

To Understand: The Behaviour of People The Process of Management The Organisational Context The Organisational Processes and Execution of Work Interactions with External Environment

A Framework for OB

Wilson, argues...
F. M. Wilson, (1999) Organisational Behaviour: A Critical Introduction, Oxford University Press

We need a wider view of organisational behaviour

We need to take into consideration: Rest and Play Emotion and Feeling Definitions of mens or womens work The meaning of work for the Unemployed Moonlighting

Influences on OB
The Individual: Work in Isolation or as part of a Group Respond to Organisation expectations or influences of the external environment Incompatibility between individual needs and the demands of the organisation, can lead to frustration and conflict Management needs to balance satisfaction of individual needs and the attainment of organisational goals

Influences on OB
The Group: Formal groups constructed by the organisation Informal groups arising from social needs Groups can develop own hierarchies and leaders Group pressure on individual behaviour Complements our understanding of Individual behaviour

Influences on OB
The Group: Formal groups constructed by the organisation Informal groups arising from social needs Groups can develop own hierarchies and leaders Group pressure on individual behaviour Complements our understanding of Individual behaviour

Influences on OB
The Organisation: Creates structure through which management can establish relationships between individuals and groups A formal structure to achieve aims and objectives Behaviour is affected by the formal structuring of an organisation through their: Technology usage Styles of leadership Systems of management Process planning, direction and controls

Influences on OB
The Environment: The affects can be: Technological and scientific developments Economic activity Social and cultural influences Governmental actions Relates to the management of opportunity and risk Globalisation means that organisations need to respond to multiple markets and local requirements

The 3 Disciplines of OB

The Psychology of OB
The study of human behaviour within the individual and small groups

Focus on the individual as a whole person, in what can be termed the personality system
Interested in individual perceptions, attitudes and motivations

The Sociology of OB
The study of social behaviour, relationships among social groups and societies, and the maintenance of order

Focus of attention on social structures and positions in those structures

Interested in the relationship between leaders and followers

The Anthropology of OB
The study of humankind and human behaviour as a whole

Focus on the cultural system, the beliefs, customs, ideas and values within a group or society, and their comparisons between different cultures
People depend on their culture for security and stability, so changes in environment can lead to adverse effects

The Organisational Iceberg

Morgans Metaphors
G. Morgan, (1997) Images of Organization, Second Edition, Sage Publications

Organisations are complex so useful to have metaphors to help identify different types
Morgan uses 8 different metaphors

Morgans Metaphors: 1
Machines Efficient operation in a routine, reliable and predictable way Bureaucratic structure provides form, continuity and security

Function best in stable and protected environments

Morgans Metaphors: 2
Organisms Organisation as a living system An open system, able to adapt quickly to a changing environment Best when working in a turbulent and dynamic environment

Morgans Metaphors: 3
Brains Seen as inventive and rational, for flexible and creative actions Capable of intelligent change

Morgans Metaphors: 4
Cultures Complex systems Contain their own ideology, values, rituals and systems of belief and practice Evolve variations through social development

Morgans Metaphors: 5
Political Systems Focused on keeping order and directing people Defined by authority, power, superior-subordinate relationships

Morgans Metaphors: 6
Psychic Prisons Organisations can become trapped by constructions of reality Their inherited or mythical past affects their representation to the outside world

Can be used as a tool to explore the reality and illusions of organisational behaviour

Morgans Metaphors: 7
Flux and Transformation Their is always flux and transformation Organisations will always be dealing with these processes We need to understand the sources and logic of transformation and change

Morgans Metaphors: 8
Instruments of Domination Associated with processes of social domination, groups and individuals imposing their will on others The pursuit of goals determined by the few, but implemented by the many

Defined by the relationship between the modes of social domination and the control of their members

The Work Ethic

Goldthorpe, J. H. Et al (1968) The Affluent Worker, Cambridge University Press

Instrumental: A means to an end, a calculative and economic involvement, clear distinction between work and non-work related activities
Bureaucratic: Sense of obligation to work, a positive involvement in career progression, close link between work and non-work related activities Soldieristic: Ego involvement with work groups rather than organisation, non-work activities linked to work relationships

The People-Organisation
The majority of people want to do a good job People respond to how they are treated Performance is affected by how staff perceive their treatment by management Not always what is done by management, but by the way it is done that affects performance Managers have to consider; work environment, systems of motivation, job satisfaction and rewards People and organisations need each other

The Psychological Contract

Not a written document Mutual expectations and satisfaction of needs from the people-organisation relationship Covers a range of expectations of rights and privileges, duties and obligations

Involves a process of giving and receiving by the individual and the organisation

Finding a Balance
Stalker, K, The Individual, the organisation and the Psychological Contract, The Institute of Administrative Management, July/August 2000, pp. 28-34 Caring: genuine concern for staff well-being Communicating: talk about what the company is hoping to achieve Listening: need to hear what is really being said Knowing: the individuals, their families, personal wishes, desires and ambitions Rewarding: not always money, a genuine thank you or public recognition