Sample Assessments

           In order to understand the behavior of different individuals and group in an organization we need to study Organizational Behavior. OB basically helps in better understanding that why a certain action was performed by a person or a group under certain situation. The major reason of studying or understanding OB is to build better relationships between the members of the organization and to create a healthy atmosphere and culture in the organization. Basically, here the systematic approach is adopted to understand and interpret the relationship between the individuals or groups with the organization. The individual behavior of a person or the similarities shared among different members of the organization basically, form the organizational culture.

According to Burton, Lauridsen and Obel “Organizational culture is a pattern of knowledge, belief, and behavior…it is the form, beliefs, norms, social patterns, the way things are done, the symbols and rituals”. This organizational culture is basically based on the organizational behavior. According to Bateman and Snell (2007) a strong culture is one where everyone understands the priorities and goals of the organization. A good and healthy organizational culture is that when the organization retains all the beliefs and values of the organization within itself.

Beside organizational culture, some other key concepts of organizational behavior are diversity, communication, organizational effectiveness and efficiency, and organizational learning (Martin, 2004).

An organization can grow and expand if the employees are well satisfied. The channel of communication is decentralized. Everyone is given a chance to participate and the door for feedback is always open. New ideas are welcome from everyone. In order to perform well it is necessary everyone in the organization is able to communicate with each other in a proper manner, then only it can be said that the organizational culture is adaptable and flexible. It is also the key goal of the organizational culture that the employees and the staff of the organization are ready to listen and take in the feedback.

            An effective communication network is developed when the people talk and listen and try to understand each other. Delivering of the messages is not complete communication, rather a communication is said to be complete when a message is delivered, encoded and decoded and completely understood. The sharing and understanding of information amongst the people is actually the communication, but the most important thing here is that the information is accurate, timely and complete. No matter what type of working conditions are there the employees and the staff has to communicate then only they can perform their functions in the organization. Organizational behavior assists in making this communication better and effective. The communication skills can be enhanced and misunderstandings between different members of the organization can be eliminated.

            The next key concept of organizational behavior is diversity. When a group of people suggest different opinions and show different behaviors on any relevant dimension then this characteristic is known as diversity. In order to make the organization a better workplace it is necessary that different diversity issues are handled properly, various diversity plans are made. When an organization welcome diversity, adopt it and work in accordance to it then it can be said that the organization is successful and it can compete actively in the market. Organizational behavior helps in understanding the diversity issues, supports in handling them as diversity in an organization basically influence individual outcomes by serving as a positive tool for recruiting. For example the number of male and females in an organization give raise to a diversity issue. If number of male staff is more then this will not be considered as diversity but if female are more in number then the case will be vice versa. Also serving people from different cultures can be a good example of diversity.

             To achieve a desired future state which is far better than the current state change, in fact a positive change is required. But to bring about this change in a proper manner change management is required. It is another key concept with which organizational behavior deal. Bringing a change in the individuals, teams, societies and organizations is not that easy. For this purpose, a very structured approach is required. OB helps in understanding that how can this change be brought in a way that people respond to it positively and easily adopt it. It is well known that change is must. This could be a good change or a bad change but whatever it is, it will definitely have an impact on the thinking of the customers and the employees. Change management must take care of both the customers’ as well as employees’ thinking. A good change management will give employees the opportunity to give their opinions; it will involve its stakeholders and take care of customers’ requirements. Change management could be successful by defining the roles of the individuals, identifying the resources and can help the organization to grow, expand and compete successfully.

            One more key concept of organizational behavior is business ethics. As the word ethics relay that it is related to the morals and values and the study and evaluation of decision making by a business according to moral concepts and judgments is the business ethics. A broader and a better social environment is the key concept of business ethics. According to business ethics it is required for an organization to be more socially responsible. It’ll have to be environment friendly. Business ethics also take care of the rights of the employees and the emotions and feelings of the customers or other people related to it are also protected. For example, an organization must take care that the environment is not harmed by its operations, the activities of the organization are in the accordance with the cultural values of a region etc. Business ethics can be a normative and a descriptive discipline. The confidentiality of the information regarding the customers’ and employees and giving the actual rights to everyone is also part of business ethics.

              In order to better understand these terms and concepts lets relate them to the example of Tesco. Tesco is one of the largest stores in UK and is also operating in different countries. It is involved in selling various products as well as provides various services to the customers. It has expanded its business and has been so successful because it has taken care of the behaviors of all the employees no matter at what level they are.

The organization has made the efforts to understand the requirements of its customers and has been adaptive towards diversity and change. It caters to the needs of customers from different races, cultures and regions so it tries to be flexible to all of them. The organizational culture is also very much based on these facts and figures. There is commonness in the Tesco stores all over the world but their cultures differ somewhat with each other in accordance to the requirements of that area or region. The goals and values are no doubt the most important for the organization and conscious efforts are made to make the employees’ benefits as a part of these goals. The employees are offered with various bonuses and incentives in order for them to achieve job satisfaction. Unless and until the employees are not satisfied, they’ll never be able to perform better. This also increases employees’ loyalty and decreases employee turnover.  

The communication has been very effective. Tesco believes in listening to everyone and the doors are always open for the feedback. A thorough check and balance is although maintained in order to get better and accurate results. The employees receive appreciation and back up from their managers and in return they give this back up and are in constant contact with their customers through e-mail, messages etc.

            Tesco takes care of all the business ethics and proves to be environment friendly. No such action is done which might bring offense to anyone related to the organization. The organization takes care of the feelings and emotions of its employees so that they are fully satisfied and in return give their best. The organization believes in the fact that its employees are its asset.

            Thus, in order for an organization to become more productive, successful and competitive in the present global market it has to conduct the organizational behavior study on and off. The key concepts of organizational behavior should be incorporated in every business and activity of the organization. Since there is always a space for improvement efforts should be made to do so by taking the help of organizational behavior ant its key concepts.

References

Bateman, T., Snell, S., (2007). Management: Leading & Collaborating in the Competitive World.  Retrieved January 27, 2010 from Proquest database.

Burton, R. M., Lauridson, J., & Obel, B. (2004, Spring). The Impact of Organizational Climate and Strategic Fit on Firm Performance.  Human Resource Management, 43(1), p. 67.

Martin, Albert. (2004). New Directions in Organizational Behavior. Management Revue, 15 (4) 410-420. Retrieved January 27, 2010 from Proquest database.