MEANING OF ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR AND ITS IMPORTANCE
Organizational Behavior (OB) is the study of human behavior in organizational settings, the interface between human behavior and the organization, and the organization itself. Organizational Behavior researchers study the behavior of individuals primarily in their organizational roles.
One of the main goals of organizational behavior is to revitalize organizational theory and develop a better conceptualization of organizational life.
“Organizational behavior is directly concerned with the understanding, prediction, and control of human behavior in organizations.”
Organizational behavior is the study of both group and individual performance and activity within an organization.This area of study examines human behavior in a work environment and determines its impact on job structure, performance, communication, motivation, leadership, etc.It is the systematic study and application of knowledge about how individuals and groups act within the organizations where they work. OB draws from other disciplines to create a unique field.
IMPORTANCE OF ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR
During their careers, most people have worked for a company where people didn’t get along, where no one knew what the expectations were, or where the boss failed to promote teamwork. The company most likely lacked a strong OB model.
Organizational behavior can help employees navigate a business’s culture as well as help managers better understand how that culture helps or hinders employee productivity and retention. OB can also help managers evaluate a potential job candidate’s skills and personality during the hiring process, allowing human resources to find the best fit for departments within the company. While there is never one exact way to assess these things, OB theory offers a set of guidelines to help organizations create a positive and vibrant internal culture.
One of the main goals of OB is to understand what motivates employees. How organizations measure job satisfaction varies, but most common metrics include a fair and equitable reward system, compelling work, enjoyable working conditions and good supervisors. By understanding what motivates employees, managers can adjust their policies to increase job satisfaction, thereby increasing productivity.
OB not only helps employees understand themselves better, it also offers a roadmap for managers to improve all aspects of their organizations:
- Improve job performance.
- Increase job satisfaction.
- Promote innovation.
- Encourage leadership.
- Improve customer service.
- Encourage ethical behavior.
- Create a positive work environment.
Depending on the challenges and desired outcomes, managers may use different tactics such as reorganizing workgroups, changing performance evaluations or modifying compensation structures. Understanding what motivates employees also plays a large part in how managers adjust company procedures or policies.
Not only does organizational behavior provide a roadmap for human resources and supervisors to manage more effectively, it also helps employees navigate an organization’s culture.
When a strong model of OB is in place, employees can understand themselves better and know how they can best flourish inside an organization. And managers are better able to predict how employees might react under differing circumstances and adjust accordingly.
Creating a culture where relationships are cooperative, employees feel valued and companies flourish is at the heart of organizational behavior.