1. Meaning & Significance
Lecture 1

2. Definition
• It is a field of study with common body of
knowledge
• It studies 3 determinants of behavior: those of
individuals, groups and organizations
• It applies the knowledge gained about
individuals, groups & the effect of structures on
behavior in order to make organizations work
more effectively

3. Goals of OB
• Describe behaviour: how people behave under a
variety of conditions
• Understand behaviour: understand why people
behave as they do in organisations
• Predict behaviour: predict future employee
behaviour like productive and unproductive
employees
• Control behaviour: control & develop some human
activity at work(skill development, team effort etc)

4. Nature/Scope/Features
• 3 levels of analysis: individuals, groups and
organizations
• Distinct field of study: a large number of
research studies are being added to its
knowledge bank
• Interdisciplinary in nature: draws its concepts
form a wide variety of social science subjects
• Use of scientific methods: it is based on
systematic observations & measurement of the
behavior of individuals

5. ..contd
• Focus on application: aims to make real difference
to organization problems, like reducing work related
stress
• Contingency thinking: different situations require
different behavioral practices for greater
effectiveness
• Subset of management: it an integral part of overall
management practices
• Integrative in nature: it seeks to fulfill employees’
needs & aspirations while trying to realize
organizational goals

6. Importance/ significane
• Uncover hidden aspects of organization:
attitudes such as perceptions, group norms,
informal relationships
• Explain & predict behavior: since managers need
to get the work done through others
• Acquire people skills: ways of handling &
motivating people
• Formulate judgments: develop ideas of handling
people & situations

7. Limitations
• Theoretical: it has limited practical applicability
• Behavioral flavor: too much emphasis on
behavior while neglecting other aspects
• Manipulative: May use the concepts for
manipulating others

8. Contributing disciplines
• Psychology: Learning, motivation, personality,
training, job satisfaction
• Sociology: Group dynamics, power, conflict,
organization culture, change
• Social Psychology & Economics: attitudes, group
decision making
• Anthropology: cross cultural analysis,
organization environment
• Political science: conflict, power & politics

9. OB Models
• Autocratic: Managers believe that subordinates are
always lazy & want to avoid responsibility. Therefore
they must be controlled & threatened to work.
• Custodial: Managers use welfare programs to take care
of the physical & security needs of employees
• Supportive: These relate to healthy superior subordinate
relationship for getting the work done
• Collegial: Teamwork is the essence of success.
• Systems: integrative organization systems. A sense of
caring is said to be the foundation of managerial success.