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Management Practices and Organisational Behaviour

Notes Introduction

Why do people behave the way they do? What causes different people to react differently to the
same situation? Why are some Organisations more successful than others, even though they
appear to be managed in the same manner? All of these questions – and more – are the substance
of what Organisational behaviour is all about.
8.1 Definition of Organisational Behaviour

Organisational Behaviour (OB) is the systematic study of the actions and attitudes that people
exhibit within Organisations. It is individual behaviour and group dynamics in Organisations.
The study of Organisational behaviour is primarily concerned with the psychosocial,
interpersonal and behavioural dynamics in organisations. However, Organisational variables
that affect human behaviour at work are also relevant to the study of Organisational behaviour.
These Organisational variables include job content, job design and Organisational structure.
Therefore, although individual behaviour and group dynamics are the primary concerns in the
study of Organisational behaviour, Organisational variables are important as the context in
which human behaviour occurs.
The term 'Organisational behaviour' is defined by Stephen P Robbins as "a field of study that
investigates the impact of individuals, groups and structures on behaviour within organisations
for the purpose of applying such knowledge towards improving an Organisation's effectiveness".
According to this definition, Organisational behaviour:

1. is a field of study with a common body of knowledge.
2. studies three determinants of behaviour in Organisations – those of individuals, groups
and structures.

3. applies the knowledge gained about individuals, groups and the effect of structure on
behaviour in order to make Organisations work more effectively.

8.2 Nature of Organisational Behaviour

Organisational behaviour is not a discipline in the usual sense of the term but rather an eclectic
field of study that integrates the behavioural sciences into the study of human behaviour within
Organisations. Organisational behaviour is a young field of inquiry, in terms of the use of
scientific techniques. To learn that the study of human behaviour in Organisations is not an exact
science, is in itself a significant realization. One of the failings of the scientific management
movement was its belief that human behaviour was easily predicted. So, while the field of
Organisational behaviour may be inexact, it is realistic.
Organisational behaviour is neither a purely scientific area of inquiry nor a strictly intellectual
endeavour. It involves the study of abstract ideas, such as valance and expectancy in motivation,
as well as the study of concrete matters, such as observable behaviours and physiological
symptoms of distress at work. Therefore, learning about Organisational behaviour is a
multidimensional activity as shown in Figure 8.1 below.

Figure 8.1: Learning about Organisational Behaviour

Mastery of basic Development of special Application of knowledge
objective knowledge skills and abilities and skills

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