Introduction to Organizational Behavior

Name: Introduction to Organizational Behavior
Author: Lorna Wright

Learn the foundations of organizational behavior and how it functions in your workplace

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Course: On-Demand

(gentle music) Welcome to introduction to organizational behavior. In these lessons, you'll learn the value of organizational behavior and how it works within a company. You'll also learn how you can use it to enhance your ability to manage and maximize on human capital while being guided by critical thinking and the behavioral sciences. The study of organizational behavior, or OB focuses on investigating, explaining, and improving attitudes at work. In a company, organizational behavior focuses on determining how and why individuals and groups of employees behave a certain way. A key objective of OB is to explain, predict, and influence employee behavior. But to influence behavior managers must know what motivates an employee, predict how they'll respond to different actions and decisions, and understand why certain behaviors are more prevalent than others. There are six main dimensions of behaviors: Employee productivity, absenteeism, turnover, organizational citizenship, job satisfaction, and workplace misbehavior. Employee productivity measures both the efficiency and effectiveness of an organization which are influenced by a variety of factors. For example, when employees don't come to work or are late, it's difficult for work to get done. This is known as absenteeism and the impact of excessive absenteeism on an organization is immediate and direct. Unfortunately, absenteeism can't be eliminated only reduced. An organization's turnover can be voluntary or involuntary. It can be costly and disruptive to hire, select, and train new employees. The goal of management can be to minimize turnover, particularly among high-performing employees. Since like absenteeism, it can't be completely eliminated. Organizational citizenship is behavior that promotes the effectiveness of an organization's operations but isn't part of a job requirement. The overall attitude an employee has toward their job is known as job satisfaction. Satisfied employees are more likely to show up for work, achieve higher levels of performance, and stay with the organization for a longer period. You gain three advantages from being able to understand the way people behave and interact within organizations. Having a clear understanding of why your boss, coworkers, and employees behave a certain way can enable you to see their motivations. According to the situation and circumstance, you may be able to predict what they'll do next. And to accomplish their goals and meet organizational objectives, you have the opportunity to influence their behavior. It's beneficial to be focused on influencing behavior rather than on explaining or predicting behavior despite both having their benefits in the workplace. A crucial part of positively affecting employees within an organization or within a department can be understanding your staff's needs, providing them with what they need at their level, and supporting them to ensure they can maximize their potential. Something a manager can do to influence staff is showing appreciation. By doing so, employees are more likely to repeat the positive behavior. Being a role model for your staff is another route a supervisor can take. As a role model, you can embody the company's mission, value, and vision statement and aim to inspire your staff so they can embrace the vision of the organization as well. The act of meeting your employees where they are takes work and determination to ensure your staff feel supported. A way you can do this is by setting specific goals for each of them. It's also suggested to stay positive with interacting with your staff. Unfortunately, when things aren't going well for some of your employees, it may affect how they perform. You can gain a lot of trust from an employee by providing them with positive professional feedback to help them perform better. When organizational behaviors managed efficiently, it can give leadership insight into how employees behave and perform in the workplace. Some benefits of effective and efficient management are higher motivation, better performance, and improved development of trust within the organization. Many people believe organizational behaviors common sense in action, but this isn't true. A systematic approach based on scientific evidence takes us beyond the common sense to increase our understanding.

Beginner Provider : Lorna Wright 7 Lessons · 25m in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Urdu, Chinese

Course Description

Organizational behavior is a valuable tool you can use when examining how and why employees function a certain way. Once you have a basic understanding of organizational behavior, it can help you enhance your company’s culture. The key goals of organizational behavior are to explain, predict, and influence behavior, which can allow you and your team to become better leaders. With these goals in mind, organizational behavior will give you the ability to help employees be more comfortable and influence their performance while perfecting yours. Organizational behavior, when executed successfully, can make an organization more efficient and effective.

This Introduction to Organizational Behavior course will give you a foundational understanding of organizational behavior and how it contributes to job satisfaction or dissatisfaction. In addition, we’ll review organizational behavior topics, such as behavioral studies and diversity, that will assist in the overall improvement of the relations and environment within a company.

What You'll Learn

Define organizational behavior and how it contributes to job satisfaction or dissatisfaction
Evaluate the four functions of management
Analyze human capital management and its importance
Recognize the role of the four main behavioral studies in organizational behavior
Describe the opportunities and challenges of organizational behavior
Apply critical thinking to management within an organizational context

Key Takeaways

Organizational behavior is a tool for examining how and why employees function a certain way, and a basic understanding of it can help enhance a company's culture.
The key goals of organizational behavior are to explain, predict, and influence behavior, which can help teams become better leaders.
When executed successfully, organizational behavior can make an organization more efficient and effective.
Organizational behavior topics such as behavioral studies and diversity assist in the overall improvement of relations and the environment within a company.
Understanding organizational behavior allows leaders to help employees feel more comfortable and to influence their performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this course cover?

This Introduction to Organizational Behavior course gives a foundational understanding of organizational behavior and how it contributes to job satisfaction or dissatisfaction. It covers defining organizational behavior, the manager's four functions, managing human capital, the contributions of organizational behavior, management and critical thinking, and the opportunities and challenges of organizational behavior.

Who is this course for?

It is suited to those who want a foundational understanding of organizational behavior so they can enhance their company's culture and become better leaders by learning to explain, predict, and influence behavior.

What skills or knowledge will I gain?

You will be able to define organizational behavior, evaluate the four functions of management, analyze human capital management and its importance, recognize the role of the four main behavioral studies in organizational behavior, and describe the opportunities and challenges of organizational behavior.

What behavioral topics are reviewed in the course?

The course reviews organizational behavior topics such as behavioral studies and diversity, which assist in the overall improvement of the relations and environment within a company.

Is there a way to check my understanding?

Yes. The course includes a Test Your Knowledge lesson.