Organizational behavior starts with the following six fundamental concepts revolving around the nature of people and organizations:
The nature of people:
- Individual differences
- A whole person
- Motivated behavior
- Value of the person
The nature of organization:
- Social system
- Mutual interest
- Individual Differences: Individuals are different in their
physical and mental traits. They are different not only in the physical
appearance such as sex, age, height, weight, complexion and so on but also
different in their psychological trait such as intelligence, attitude,
motivation and perception. This belief that each person is different from
all others is typically called the 'Law of Individual Differences'.
Individual differences mean that the management has to treat them
differently to get the best out of them.
- A Whole Person: Though the organization may feel that they are employing only
the individual's skill or intelligence, in fact, they employ the 'whole
person'. This means that individual does not have only the skill and
intelligence but he has a personal life, needs and desires as well. In
other words, his personal life cannot be separated from his work life
since people function as total human beings.
When management practices
Organizational behavior, it is not only trying to develop a better employee but
it also wants to develop a 'better person' in terms of all round growth and
development. The benefit will extend beyond the firm into the larger society in
which each employee lives.
- Motivated behavior: It is the urge of the individual
to satisfy a particular need that motivates him to do an act. The
motivation could be positive or negative.
Motivation is essential
for the proper functioning of organizations. The organization can show to its
employees how certain actions will increase their need fulfilment.
- Value of the Person: It is more an ethical philosophy.
It stresses that people are to be treated with respect and dignity. Every
job, however simple, entitles the people who do it to proper respect and
recognition of their unique aspirations and abilities. Since Organizational behavior involves
people, ethical philosophy is involved in one way or the other.
The nature of an organization can be understood
with the help of tjie description of following two points:
- Social System: A system is a group of independent
and interrelated elements comprising a unified whole. In context with an
organization, the individuals of a society are considered as a system
organised by a characteristic pattern of relationships having a
distinctive culture and values. It is also called social organization or
social structure. It can be further divided into following categories:
- Feudal system: This is a social system, which is
developed in Europe in the 8th Century. A political and economic system
based on the holding of. land and relation of lord to vassal and
characterized by homage, legal and military service of tenants, and
forfeiture.
- Patriarchate: This is social system, in which a
male is considered to be the family head and title or surname is traced
through his chain. In other words, power lies in his hands.
- Matriarchate: This is social system, in which a
female is considered to be the family head and title or surname is traced
through her chain. In other words, power lies in her hands.
- Meritocracy: This is a social system, in which
power vests in the hands of the person with superior intellects.
- Class Structure: This is a social system of
different classes with in a society.
- Segregation:
This is a social system, which provides
separate facilities for minority groups of a society.
- Mutual Interest: Organizational relationships are
most likely to be strong if different groups can negotiate strategies.
This can be defined as the interests that are common to both the parties
and are related to the accomplishment of their respective goals. This
space for sharing ideas builds trust. Individuals who have shared mutual
interests are likely to make their organization the strongest, because
even though the views are different they have a shared concern for similar
objectives. It is important for the individuals to think about their
issues openly, and to incorporate the perspectives of their colleagues.
This helps to build sustainable and harmonious activities that can operate
in the mutual direct interests of the organization.
Holistic Organizational Behavior: When the above six concepts of Organizational behavior are considered together, they provide a holistic concept of the subject. Holistic Organizational behavior interprets people-organization relationships in terms of the whole person, whole group, whole organization and whole social system.
Thus, the blending of nature of people
and organization results in an holistic Organizational behavior.