Organizational behavior is a field that studies how individuals, groups, and structure influence behavior in organizations and how to apply that knowledge to improve effectiveness. It examines topics like motivation, groups, communication, leadership, and culture. The course takes a multilevel approach analyzing behavior at the individual, group, and organizational levels and a cross-cultural approach considering cultural influences on management theories. Understanding human behavior is important for effective managerial decision-making and skills like technical expertise, relationship-building, and strategic thinking are essential at different management levels.

1. Organizational Behavior
Session 1

2. Organizational behavior
OB is a field of study that
investigates the impact that
individuals, groups, and
structure have on behavior
within organizations for the
purpose of applying such
knowledge towards improving
.an organization‘s effectiveness

3. Importance
 Implementation of most managerial
decisions requires understanding how
people behave and react to different
issues.

4. Management skills
 According to Robert Katz, essential
management skills are:
 Technical skills
 Human skills
 Conceptual skills
 Human skills are essential for all kinds
of managerial positions.

5. Management skills and levels

7. Main topics
 Interaction between values, beliefs, and perceptions and behaviors;
 Motivation theories;
 Group and team behaviors;
 Communication;
 Leadership theories;
 Power and politics;
 Conflict management;
 Organizational culture and structure.

8. Important approaches of the course
 Multilevel approach
Level 3 Organizational level Organizational performance
Organizational culture
Strategies, Structure
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Level 2 Group level Group performance, Cooperation
Group learning, Cohesion
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Level 1 Individual level Individual performance, Personality
Beliefs, Attitudes

9. Important approaches of the course
(continued)
 Cross-cultural approach
 Cultural influences on individuals;
 Cultural differences and cross-cultural
management;
 Culture and management theories.