What is organizational
behavior (OB) ?
A field of study that investigates the impact
individuals, groups, and structure have on
behavior within organizations, for the purpose of
applying such knowledge toward improving an
organization’s effectiveness.
OB is the study of what people do in an
organization and the way their behavior affects
the organization’s performance

 Behavior is not random
 Behavior is generally predictable
 we can identify fundamental
consistencies underlying the behavior
of all individuals and modify them to
reflect individual differences.

 systematic study of behavior is a
means to making reasonably accurate
predictions.
 By term systematic study, we mean looking at
relationships, attempting to attribute causes and
effects, and basing our conclusions on scientific
evidence—that is, on data gathered under
controlled conditions and measured and
interpreted in a rigorous manner.
 Evidence-based management (EBM)
managerial decisions on the best available
scientific evidence.

Core topics of OB
 Motivation
 Leader behavior and power
 Interpersonal communication
 Group structure and processes
 Attitude development and perception
 Change processes
 Conflict and negotiation
 Work design

Disciplines That Contribute to the
OB Field
Psychology
Social Psychology
Sociology
Anthropology

Psychology
 The scientific study of the human mind
and its functions, especially those
affecting behaviour in a given context.
 It is the study of the mind, how it works,
and how it affects behavior
 The science that seeks to measure,
explain, and sometimes change the
behavior of humans and other animals

Contribution of Psychology
 Motivation
 Personality
 Emotions
 Perception
 Training
 Leadership effectiveness
 Job satisfaction
 Individual decision making
 Performance appraisal
 Attitude measurement
 Employee selection
 Work design
 Work stress
Unit of Analysis -
Individuals

Social Psychology
 The branch of psychology that deals
with social interactions, including their
origins and their effects on the
individual.
 An area of psychology that blends
concepts from psychology and
sociology to focus on the influence of
people on one another.

Contribution of Social
Psychology
 Behavioral change
 Attitude change
 Communication
 Group processes
 Group decision making
 Communication
 Power
 Conflict
 Intergroup behavior
How to
implement
“change”?

 Sociology
 The study of the development,
structure, and functioning of human
society.
 Sociology is an exciting and
illuminating field of study that analyzes
and explains important matters in our
personal lives, our communities, and
the world.

Contribution of Sociology
 Communication
 Power
 Conflict
 Intergroup behavior
 Formal organization theory
 Organizational technology
 Organizational change
 Organizational culture
Unit of
Analysis-
Groups
Unit of Analysis
Org. system

Anthropology
 Anthropology is the study of what
makes us human.
 The study of human societies and
cultures and their development.
 The study of societies to learn about
human beings and their activities.

Contribution of Anthropology
 Comparative values
 Comparative attitudes
 Cross-cultural analysis
 Organizational culture
 Organizational environment
 Power
Unit of
Analysis-
Groups
Unit of
Analysis-
organization
system