This document outlines some of the fundamental assumptions of organizational behavior (OB). It discusses that OB views individuals as whole people who differ in characteristics and behavior is caused and goal-directed. Organizations are seen as social systems where people and organizations have mutual interests. The document also lists contributing disciplines to OB like psychology, sociology, social psychology, anthropology, and political science and provides examples of how each discipline relates to and informs the study of OB.

1. FUNDEMENTAL ASSUMPTIONS OF OB

2. a) Individual differences
b)A whole person
c) Caused behaviour
d)Human dignity
The Nature of People The Nature of organisation
a) Social system
b)Mutual interests

3. THE NATURE OF PEOPLE
Individual differences
 Individual may differ in physical characteristics, intelligence, aptitude, attitudes,
personality, skills and so on.
A whole person
 An employee comes to the workplace as a complete person.
 He/she has his/her background, sentiments, emotions, feelings etc..

4. THE NATURE OF PEOPLE
Caused behaviour
 Human behaviour is caused, motivated and goal directed
 People’s feelings, sentiments, aspiration skills etc… should be recognised in the
organisation
Human dignity

5. THE NATURE OF ORGANISATION
Organisation as a social system
 Organisations are social systems governed by social laws and psychological laws.
 People need organization as a means to achieve their goals and organizations
need people to achieve organizational goals.
 There is a clear give and take relationship between people and organization.
Mutual interests

6. CONTRIBUTING DISCIPLINES

7. CONTRIBUTING DISCIPLINES
a) Psychology
b) Sociology
c) Social Psychology
d) Anthropology
e) Political Science

8. PSYCHOLOGY
• Learning
• Motivation
• Personality
• Emotions
• Perception
• Training
• Leadership effectiveness
• Job satisfaction
• Individual decision making
• Performance appraisal
• Employee selection
 Scientific study of human or animal mental functions and behaviours

9. SOCIOLOGY
 Is the study of society
• Group dynamics
• Work teams
• Communication
• Power
• Conflict
• Intergroup behaviour

10. SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
 Study of the relations between people and groups
• Behavioural change
• Attitude change
• Communication
• Group processes
• Group decision making

11. ANTHROPOLOGY
 The study of societies to learn about human beings and their activities.
• Organizational culture
• Organizational environment

12. POLITICAL SCIENCE
 Is a social science concerned with the theory and practice
• Conflict
• Intra organizational politics
• Power

13. THANK YOU