Why Do We Study OB?

Why Do We Study OB?

Following are the reasons to study organizational behavior:

• To learn about yourself and how to deal with others

• You are part of an organization now, and will continue to be a part of various organizations

• Organizations are increasingly expecting individuals to be able to work in teams, at least some

of the time

• Some of you may want to be managers or entrepreneurs

The importance of studying organizational behavior (OB)

OB applies the knowledge gained about individuals, groups, and the effect of structure on behavior in

order to make organizations work more effectively. It is concerned with the study of what people do in

an organization and how that behavior affects the performance of the organization. There is increasing

agreement as to the components of OB, but there is still considerable debate as to the relative

importance of each: motivation, leader behavior and power, interpersonal communication, group

structure and processes, learning, attitude development and perception, change processes, conflict, work

design, and work stress. It is also important because it focus on the following areas.

• OB is a way of thinking.

• OB is multidisciplinary.

• There is a distinctly humanistic orientation with OB.

• The field of OB is performance oriented.

• The external environment is seen as having significant impact on OB.

Contributing Disciplines to the OB Field

Organizational behavior is an applied behavioral science that is built upon contributions from a number

of behavioral disciplines. The predominant areas are psychology, sociology, social psychology,

anthropology, and political science.