Organizational behavior (OB) is the systematic study of how individuals and groups act within organizations, encompassing aspects such as motivation, teamwork, and communication. It draws from multiple disciplines, including sociology, psychology, anthropology, political science, engineering, and management, to understand and manage human behavior effectively. The success of an organization is often determined by its ability to analyze and improve employee behavior and interactions.

1. Meaning
Definition
Nature
Contributing disciplines to OB

4.  It is the systematic study of behavior of
employees working in the organization both
individually & in groups.
 As an individual an employee has to play the
role of superior, subordinate & peer. So
he/she has to act differently. OB studies all
the actions & reactions of employee as an
individual.
 At the same time he/she has to work in
groups & maintain mutual cooperation,
coordination, proper communication, team
work etc.

5.  OB can be defined as the systematic study & application
of knowledge about how people as individuals & as groups
act within organizations.
 It can be defined as the understanding, prediction &
management of human behavior in organizations.
 According to Albert Einstein – OB is the composition of
intangible elements which can not be counted, but form an
important part of a business organization. So success &
failure of the organization depends upon its behavior.
 According to John Neuston – OB is the systematic study &
careful application of knowledge about how people-as
individuals & as groups – act within organization.
 According to Stephens Robbins – OB is a field of study that
investigates the impact that individuals, groups &
structure have on behavior within organizations for the
purpose of applying such knowledge towards improving an
organization’s effectiveness.

6. The nature of OB is to study –
 Human behavior in organization ( job,
absenteeism, employee turn over,
productivity, working condition, motivation,
employee satisfaction etc.)
 Individual & organizational interaction ( goal
congruency )
 Organization & its environment (PEST)

7. OB is a derived subject & it has got its root
from Sociology, Psychology, Social
psychology, Anthropology, Political Science,
Engineering & Management.
 Sociology – It is the systematic study of
nature & development of society where
human beings live & organizations grow. It is
concerned with our customs, traditions,
culture, structure, standard of behavior,
group interaction etc. OB learns all these
basic aspects from sociology & apply these in
organizations.

8.  It is the study of human mind & on that basis
tries to understand their behavior.
 It consists of perception, thoughts, feelings,
satisfaction, attitude, learning, leadership
etc.
 OB focuses on all these aspects & on that
basis helps to motivate employees, assign
jobs & measure satisfaction.

9.  It is the happy blending of both Sociology &
Psychology.
 It deals with both individual interest & group
interest.
 OB studies both aspects.

10.  It is the systematic study of human beings &
their attitude.
 It helps to analyze the difference between
national culture. Differences can be occurred
on the basis of values, attitudes, religion &
behavior.
 OB with the help of Anthropology studies
cultures of different countries & prepares
behavior standards.

11.  It is the study of individual & group behavior
within a particular political environment.
 It focuses on administrative process,
allotment of position, power distribution,
resource allocation, conflict resolution etc.
 OB applies all these aspects in organizations.

12.  It is the work involved in designing &
constructing engines & machinery or
structures.
 OB wit the help of Engineering helps to
design work structure & work in technical
level.
 It also helps to set performance standards,
motion study, piece-rate & time-rate system
etc.

13.  Management is the systematic study of
proper allocation & utilization of resources.
 It states getting things done through others.
 OB applies it in organizations in a successful
manner.