Chapter 1 Introduction to Organizational Behavior Essentials of Organizational Behavior, 9/e Stephen P. Robbins/Timothy A. Judge Chapter 1 Introduction to Organizational Behavior

After reading this chapter, you should be able to: Define Organizational Behavior (OB). Explain the value of the systematic study of OB. Identify the contributions made to OB by major behavioral science disciplines. Describe how OB concepts can help make organizations more productive. List the major challenges and opportunities for managers to use OB concepts. Identify the three levels of analysis in OB.

Definition of Organizational Behavior Studies the influence that individuals, groups and structure have on behavior within organizations.

Chief Goal of OB To apply that knowledge toward improving an organization’s effectiveness.

Complementing Intuition with Systematic Study Improves ability to predict behavior Systematic study: Examining relationships Attempting to attribute causes and effects Basing conclusions on scientific evidence

Contributing Disciplines to the OB Field Psychology Social Psychology Sociology Anthropology

Challenges and Opportunities for OB Workers represent a large range of cultures, races, and ethnic groups Increased uncertainty in the world Typical employee is getting older More women in the workplace Global competition is requiring employees to become more flexible Historical loyalty-bonds that held many employees to their employers are being severed

Responding to Globalization Increased foreign assignments Working with people from different cultures Coping with Anticapitalism backlash Overseeing movement of jobs to countries with low-cost labor Managing people during the War on Terror

Managing Diversity Workforce diversity: organizations are becoming a more heterogeneous mix of people in terms of gender, age, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation

Diversity Implications Managers have to shift their philosophy from treating everyone alike to recognizing differences and responding to those differences in ways that ensure employee retention and greater productivity while, at the same time, not discriminating.

OB offers Insights to Improve Quality and Productivity Customer Service and a Customer-responsive culture People skills

OB Aids Dealing with Stimulating Innovation and Change Coping with “Temporariness” Helping employees balance work-life conflicts Improving ethical behavior

Three Levels of OB Analysis

Implications for Managers Improve people skills See the value of workforce diversity Improve quality and productivity Provide suggestions for meeting chronic labor shortages Cope in a world of temporariness Offer guidance in creating an ethically healthy work environment

Summary Defined Organizational Behavior (OB). Explained the value of the systematic study of OB. Identified the contributions made to OB by major behavioral science disciplines. Described how OB concepts can help make organizations more productive. Listed the major challenges and opportunities for managers to use OB concepts. Identified the three levels of analysis in OB.