Discuss the Major Factors That Influence Organizational Behavior Case Study
Key Learning Outcomes
By the end of the case, students should be able to:
- Define organizational behavior and explain its importance for managers and organizations.
- Identify and describe the four main factors that influence organizational behavior
- Analyze how these factors affect the behavior and performance of employees and teams in different situations.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Organizational behavior refers to the study of how individuals and groups interact with each other in an organization and its effect on organizational performance. The key element and creator of an organization is its individuals and groups. This essay will discuss the factors that influence organizational behavior in an organization.
There are several factors that can influence organizational behavior, including individual characteristics, cultural diversity, leadership, organizational culture, structure, and environment. These factors can affect the motivation, satisfaction, commitment, performance, and well-being of employees and managers.
Individual characteristics; include personality, values, attitudes, emotions, motivation, perception, learning, and decision-making. They affect how individuals behave, communicate, cooperate, and respond to various circumstances in their workplaces.
Organizational structure; this is the formal arrangement of roles, responsibilities, and authority within an organization. Organizational structure determines the degree of centralization, specialization, formalization, standardization, and coordination of activities and tasks. The organizational structure enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of an organization’s operations. Moreover, a well-defined organizational structure guides the employees on how to achieve their objectives optimally.
Organizational culture; is the set of shared values, beliefs, norms, and assumptions that guide the behaviour and actions of members of an organization. Organizational culture influences organizational behavior by creating a sense of identity, belonging, and commitment among employees and shaping their attitudes and expectations. Culture also provides an easy-going control mechanism, a strong sense of identification with the organization, and shared understanding among employees about what is important.
Organizational environment; this is the external setting in which an organization operates. It includes factors such as competitors, customers, suppliers, regulators, social trends, economic conditions, and technological changes. The organizational environment influences organizational behavior by creating opportunities and threats for the organization and affecting its resources and capabilities.