Organizational Behavior

Chapter Summary

1. Organizational behavior is individual behavior and group dynamics in organizations. Change is an opportunity when one has a positive atti- tude, asks questions, listens, and is committed to succeed. Organizations are open systems composed of people, structure, and technology committed to a task. Organizations have formal and informal elements within them.

Key Terms

anthropology (p. 7) challenge (p. 4) change (p. 4) engineering (p. 6) formal organization (p. 10) informal organization (p. 10) management (p. 7)

medicine (p. 7.)

opportunities (p. 4)

people (p. 10) Psychology (p. 5) Six Sigma (p. 17)

Review Questions

CHAPTER 1

. Define organizational behavior. What is its focus.D

. Identify the four action steps for responding posi- tively to change.

. What is an organization? What are its four system components? Give an example of each.

ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR AND OPPORTUNITY

objective knowledge (p. 20)

organizational behavior (p. 4)

5. Manufacturing organizations, service organizations, privately owned companies, and nonprofit organiza- tions all contribute to our national well-being.

. The changes and challenges facing managers are driven by international competition and customer demands.

. Learning about organizational behavior requires a mastery of objective knowledge, specific skill devel- opment, and thoughtful application.

skill development (p. 20) sociology (p. 6) structure (p. 10) task (p. 9) technology (p. 10)

. Briefly describe the elements of the formal and the informal organization. Give examples of each.

. Discuss the six focus organizations used in the book. 6. Describe how competition and total quality are af-

fecting organizational behavior. Why is managing or- ganizational behavior in changing times challenging?

27

Discussion and Communication Questions

in your college or university. Write .a 100-worddde-

scription of the change and, using Figure 1.1, 1 ken-

tify how it is affecting the people, structure, tas ,

and/or technology of the organizatlon.

(communication question) Develop an oral presen—

tation about the changes and challenges facmg your

college or university based on an interview Wltl‘l a

faculty member or administrator. Be prepared to

' - - describe the changes and Challenges.

Are these good 4. Discuss two ways people learn about organizational

behavior. 01‘ bad Changes? Why?

1. How do the formal aspects of your work environ— ment affect you? What informal aspects of your work environment are important?

2. What is the biggest competitive challenge or change facing the businesses in your industry today? How 7. will that be different in the next five years?

3. Describe the next chief executive of your company and what she or he must do to succeed.

. . . . 8. (comnmnzcatzon question) Prepare a brief descrip-

5. Which of the focus organizations 15 your own com- , . , . . tion of a servxce or manufacturing company,

en— pany most like? Do you work for one of these focus , . . .

- trepreneurial venture, or nonprofit organlzation of

or anizations? Which or anization would ou most . . “(g t k f p g y your ch01ce. Research and read about the organiza-r

1 e o wor or. tion from several sources; then use these multiple . . . P _ _ I

6. (communzcatzon questzon) repare a memo about an sources to write your description.

organizational change occurring where you work or