Overview of Organizational Behaviour

Organizational Behavior is the study of how people behave both individually and within informal and formal groups. Every organization’s success is directly connected to the motivational levels of its employees and the eagerness and capacity of people to work effectively and in cohesion towards the achievement of shared goals. OB entails the amalgamation of studies relating to Behavioral sciences like psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, social psychology and political science.

Therefore, organizational Behavior is a complete field of study in which individual, group and organizational structure are studied with respect to organizational growth and organizational culture, in an environment where modern technology plays an important role. The purpose of the study is to make sure that the human Behavior adds towards development of the organization and greater effectiveness is accomplished.

Organizational Behavior can be defined as – “the study and application of knowledge about human Behavior related to other elements of an organization such as structure, technology and social systems (LM Prasad). Stephen P Robins defines “Organizational Behavior as a systematic study of the actions and attitudes that people exhibit within organizations.” It has been observed that we generally form our opinion based on the symptoms of an issue and do not really go to the root cause of the happening. Science of organizational Behavior is applied in nature.

Subjects like psychology, anthropology and political science have played a role in terms of various studies and theories to the field of organizational Behavior. A leader should be able to relay information to his/her subordinates and keep them updated to the activities in the organization. People endorse organizational culture for shared benefit. Politics is often used to stir up conflict with the idea of expanding self-power base to which is unfavourable for organizational growth. Politics, in the Indian scenario has evolved on religion, caste system, etc. This is reflected in the decision making process which has contributed formation of informal groups. In an organization, there are employees who often take advantage of the organization for achievement of personal goals at the cost of organizational goals. Conflict and manipulating power bases need to be taken care of in a suitable manner to alter human Behavior and prompt various individuals towards accomplishing higher growth. Power dynamics can play a central role in organization situations in different environments.