Introduction to Organizational Behavior - Learn Something New With BIKRAM ADHIKARI

 Concept of Organizational Behavior (OB)  

Organization 

What is an organization? Why do we need organizations? What constitute an  organization?  What  is  behavior?  Why   do   we   need   to   understand   behavior? These questions need to be  answered  and  understood  at  first  before  we  move  towards  the  concept of OB.

An  organization  is  a  purposeful  combination of two or more number of people who are interdependent with each other to achieve a specific goal(s). It is composed of people both individuals and groups. In a real sense  we  are  born  in  organizations,  work  for  one  or  more  organizations  and  ultimately  die in some kind of organization. So, modern life is not free from the organization. Let's go through the following definition of an organization

Behavior

Behavior includes anything a person or animal does that can be observed in some way. Behavior can be observed, recorded and studied. No one ever saw or heard a mind, but we can see and  hear  behavior.  We  can  see  and  measure  what  a  person  does  and  hears  and  records  what a person says–this is vocal behavior.

Behavior  of  human  being  is  caused,  goal  directed  and  to  some  extent  unpredictable.  Therefore, understanding human behavior has gained great significance to the managers for managing people effectively. In other words, knowledge about why people behave as they  behave  helps  managers  to  obtain  maximum  results  from  people's  efforts. 

Organizational Behavior 

In    the    above    paragraphs    we    have    discussed    about    organization  and  behavior  separately.  Let's  now  combine  those   concepts   to   understand   the   clear   concept   of   OB.   Organizational  Behavior  (OB)  is  the  study  and  application  of  the  human  side  of  management.  It  is  concerned  with  the  study of human behavior at work. It represents the behavioral   approach   to   management,   not   the   whole   of   management.   OB   is   concerned   with   people's   thoughts,   feelings, emotions and actions in a work setting. OB has been defined  differently  by  different  behavioral  scientists. 

Conclusion:

 By going through the above discussions and definitions, we can say that the organization's  job  gets  done  through  people–  individually  or  collectively.  Therefore,  the  management  of  organizational  behavior  is  central  to  the  management  task  -  a  task  that  involves the capacity to: (a) ‘understand’ the behavior pattern of individuals, groups, and organizations,   (b)   ‘predict’   what   behavior   responses   will   be   obtained   by   various   managerial  actions,  and  finally  (c)  use  this  understanding  and  these  predictions  to  achieve  ‘control’/ 'management'

Importance of Organizational Behavior (OB) 

According to OB experts (Kreither & Kinichi), "OB is a horizontal discipline (subject) cutting across  vertically  every  job  business  function,  and  professional  specialty.  OB  related  skills  are  the  ticket to ride the virtuous career spiral."  The field of OB provides an understanding of why people  behave  as  they  do  in  organizations.  OB  seeks  to  focus  on  the  whole  complex  human  factor  in  organizations  by  identifying  causes  and  effects  of  that  behavior.  The study of OB benefits us in several ways. Some of them are (Khanka): 

1.     Understand Organization and Employee in a Better Way: 

The study of OB helps us understand  organizations  and  people  in  a  better  way.  Because  friendly  and  cordial  (kind)  relations  between  employees  and  organization  (managers)  create  a  proper  work environment in organizations. In this regard, OB serves three purposes: 

What causes behavior? 

Why particular antecedents (backgrounds) cause behavior? 

Which  antecedents  of  behavior  can  be  controlled  directly  and  which  are  beyond  control? 

2.     Motivate     Employee:     

OB  helps  managers  to  motivate  employees.  Motivation  brings  good  organizational  performance.  It  specially  helps  managers  apply  appropriate  motivational  tools  and  techniques  in  accordance  with  the  nature  of  individual  employees. OB considers individual differences in a proper way. 

3.       Improve  Industrial  /Labor  Relations:  

OB  is  human  tool  for  human  benefit.  It  takes  human  problems  humanly.  It  helps  understand  the  root-cause  of  the  problem,  predict  its  future  course  of  action  and  control  its  negative  consequences.  Thus,  behaving with employees as human beings enables the managers to maintain cordial employee relations. This in turn, creates peace and harmony in the organizations. 

4. Prediction and Control of Human Behavior: 

One of the most important reasons for studying  OB  is  to  learn  how  to  predict  and  control  or  manage  human  behavior  in  organizations.   If   done   properly,   it   helps   to   bring   organizational   effectiveness.   Therefore,  knowledge  of  OB  becomes  a  prerequisite  for  a  person  like  you  (the  students of MBS/MBA/BBS/BBA/BIM/BCIS/BHM/BHMC/BBM) who is going to assume a managerial job and succeed as a good manager.   

5.      Effective  Utilization  of  Human  Resources:  

OB  helps  managers  how  to  manage  people  effectively  in  the  organization.  It  enables  managers  to  inspire  and  motivate  employees  towards  higher  productivity  and  better  results.  Thus,  it  guarantees  the  success of the organization to achieve its goals.