Introduction, Nature and Scope of OB

 Organizational Behavior (OB)

is the study of human behavior within organizational settings, focusing on the interaction between individuals and the organization itself. Researchers in OB aim to understand, predict, and control human behavior to enhance organizational effectiveness. Fred Luthans highlights that OB directly concerns understanding and managing behavior in organizations.

OB examines both individual and group performance, investigating how behaviors impact job structure, performance, communication, motivation, leadership, and other organizational aspects. It systematically applies knowledge from various disciplines, including psychology for personality and motivation, sociology for team processes, political science for power and influence, and medical science for stress.

Core topics in OB include motivation, leader behavior and power, interpersonal communication, group structure and processes, learning, attitude development and perception, change processes, conflict, work design, and work stress. These components help in revitalizing organizational theory and improving conceptualizations of organizational life.

Nature of Organizational Behavior:

1. A Separate Field of Study: OB is a distinct field of study, not just a discipline. Unlike traditional disciplines that are based on specific theoretical foundations, OB integrates knowledge from multiple disciplines, making it a multidisciplinary field rather than a single discipline.
2. Interdisciplinary Approach: OB adopts an interdisciplinary approach to study human behavior at work. It combines insights from psychology, sociology, anthropology, and other related fields to understand and analyze behavior within organizational settings.
3. An Applied Science: OB is inherently applied in nature. It utilizes research findings to address and solve organizational problems related to human behavior. While pure science focuses on fundamental research, OB emphasizes applied research and its practical applications in organizational analysis, making it both a science and an art.
4. A Normative Science: OB is also a normative science, meaning it prescribes how research findings can be applied to achieve socially accepted organizational goals. Unlike positive science, which only describes cause-and-effect relationships, OB provides guidelines on applying research outcomes to improve organizational practices and achieve desired goals.
5. Humanistic and Optimistic Approach: OB takes a humanistic approach, focusing on the thoughts and feelings of people within organizations. It is based on the belief that individuals have an innate desire to be independent, creative, and productive. OB emphasizes creating conditions and environments that enable individuals to realize their full potential and contribute effectively to the organization.
6. Total System Approach: OB employs a systems approach, integrating all variables affecting organizational functioning. This approach, developed by behavioral scientists, considers the socio-psychological framework of individuals, acknowledging the complexity of human behavior. The systems approach aims to study this complexity comprehensively and find solutions to organizational challenges.

OTHER Concept and Nature of Organizational Behavior

1. Interdisciplinary Field: Organizational behavior (OB) is an interdisciplinary field that integrates knowledge from various disciplines such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, and economics. This integration helps in understanding and managing human behavior in organizational settings.

2. Focus on Human Behavior: The primary focus of OB is on understanding individual and group behavior within organizations. It examines how personal attributes, interpersonal relationships, and organizational structures influence behavior and performance.

3. Systematic Study: OB involves a systematic approach to studying human behavior. This means that behaviors are observed, recorded, and analyzed using scientific methods to ensure that findings are objective and reliable. This systematic study helps in identifying patterns and developing theories that can predict behavior.

4. Goal-Oriented: The ultimate goal of OB is to apply its findings to improve organizational effectiveness. This includes enhancing job performance, increasing employee satisfaction, promoting innovation, and achieving organizational goals. OB provides tools and strategies to manage and motivate employees effectively.

5. Dynamic and Complex: Organizational behavior is dynamic and complex, constantly evolving with changes in the workforce, technology, and organizational structures. It requires continuous learning and adaptation to new trends and challenges in the workplace.

6. Multilevel Analysis: OB analyzes behavior at multiple levels: individual, group, and organizational. At the individual level, it studies personality, perception, attitudes, and motivation. At the group level, it examines dynamics such as communication, leadership, and team processes. At the organizational level, it looks at structure, culture, and change management.

7. Practical Application: OB is not just theoretical; it has practical applications in solving real-world organizational problems. By applying OB concepts, managers can design effective policies, create a positive work environment, and improve overall organizational performance.

8. Human and Organizational Goals: OB seeks to align human goals with organizational objectives. It emphasizes the importance of understanding employees’ needs and aspirations and finding ways to meet these needs while achieving organizational goals. This alignment helps in fostering a motivated and productive workforce.

9. Influenced by External Environment: The behavior within organizations is influenced by external factors such as economic conditions, social changes, and technological advancements. OB takes into account these external influences and their impact on organizational dynamics.

10. Emphasis on Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility: Modern OB places a strong emphasis on ethics and corporate social responsibility. It examines how ethical behavior and socially responsible practices can be integrated into organizational processes, promoting sustainability and positive societal impact.