The Study and Nature of Organizations

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CHAPTER 1

• The Study and Nature of Organizations
• September 14, 2000

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Discussion Question

• How have organizations/workplaces changed over
  the past 50 years?

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Organizational Behaviour

• A Working Definition
• Organizational behaviour is the field that seeks
  knowledge of behaviour in organizational settings
  by systematically studying individual, group and
  organizational processes (p.3).

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Definition of an Organization

• A structured social system consisting of groups
  of individuals working together to meet some
  agreed upon objectives (p.7).

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History of OB

• Scientific Management Thoery
• Taylor jobs?organizations
• Human Relations Thoery
• Mayo Hawthorne Studies
• Classical
• Fayol, Webers bureaucracy
• Organizations ?jobs
• Modern Theory

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Focus of OB

• Individuals
• Working Group Processes
• Organizational Processes

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Multidisciplinary aspects of OB
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Characteristics of the Field

• Seeks to improve quality of life at work
• Recognizes dynamic nature of organizations
• No one best approach
• Confronts challenges created by the changing
  nature of work

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Quality of Life at Work

• Theory X (lazy) vs. Theory Y (motivated)
• Roots case p. 28, question 1
• OB scientists assume theory Y to be prevalent

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Dynamic Nature of Organizations

• Open systems feed off environment
• Organizations include
• Private sector
• Public sector
• NGOs
• Others?

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No One Best Approach

• Contingency Theory
• Must consider
• Personal characteristics
• Situation factors
• Environmental context

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Changing Nature of Work

• DIVERSITY
• Changing demographics
• Globalization
• Technology

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The Scientific Method

• Thoery proposed
• Hypothesis formed
• Hypothesis tested
• If confirmed, theory reinforced
• If disconfirmed, theory rejected or amended

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OB Research Methods

• Survey
• Correlational
• Negative vs. Positive
• Strength (coefficient)
• Multiple Regression
• Experimental
• Cause and effect
• Independent vs. Dependent variables
• Qualitative Research

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Assignment for Week 2

• Chapter 9 p. 298, question 3
• Assignments must be
• A maximum of one page double spaced with 1
  margins
• Written in essay/paragraph format
• Good Luck