Organisational Behaviour: Influence of Culture, Power, and Politics on Performance

This report explores the influence of organisational culture, power, and politics on individual and team performance. It discusses motivational theories for accomplishing organisational goals and highlights the importance of effective teams. It also explains the difference between effective and ineffective teams. The report focuses on Hays Travel, the UK's largest independent travel agent, and its acquisition of Thomas Cook.

Organisational Behaviour

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
PART 1............................................................................................................................................3
Influence of organisation culture, power, and politics on individual and team performance.3
Motivational theories for accomplishing organisational goals...............................................6
PART 2............................................................................................................................................8
Importance of having effective teams....................................................................................8
Effective team vs ineffective team.........................................................................................9
Belbin Team Development Model.......................................................................................10
Barriers in implementing new organisational structure........................................................12
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Organisational behaviour is defined as the process in which evaluation is established on
the basis of work performance of business and these are helpful for the business to attain
business objectives in prominent manner. This is highly necessary as this stimulates upliftment
of performance standard and quality of working in the business (Ahmad, Ahmad and Kaleem,
2020). This report is undertaking all the aspects of organisational behaviour with the background
of Hays Travel. Hays Travel is UK's largest independent travel agent which is known for their
good values and prominent customer service. The company has purchased entire portfolio of
Thomas cook in the year of 2019 and their number of shops increased from 180 to 737 and
workforce increased from 1700 to 4200. For the major purpose to understand, within this report
culture, politics and power has been added along with this motivational theories has been
included.
PART 1
Influence of organisation culture, power, and politics on individual and team performance.
Within an organisation several factors are existed within businesses which are impacted
through power, politics and culture of the company and helping the business in attaining their
goals. These factors are highly influencing organisational goals and these are hindering
performance of the business as well. For Hays Travel these factors are having high impact on
their business operation and efficacy as well which are elaborated as under:
Influence of power on team and individual performance
Manager in an organisation are exerting power in order to obtain effective working of
their employees. The managers of Hays Travel is using different powers in order to provide
effective working to their employees so that work efficacy can be received. Psychologists John
French and Ravan has propounded five basic types of power. These are elaborated as under: Coercive power: This is the power which is used by individual of the business in order to
punish and fire their employees for their poor performance. The manager and CEO of
Hays Travel is using this power in order to obtain maximum output and improvise team
performance of their workforce. Reward power: This power is utilised by Board of directors in order to boost morale of
workforce. In Hays Travel with the help of this power their management is effectively

providing rewards to their employees (Griffin and Griffin, 2019). This is helping the
company in attaining high employee performance and on the other side team performance
can be improvised with this. When employee of Hays Travel are getting appropriate
rewards for their good deeds then this is refectory that their performance will be
enhanced. Legitimate power: This is the power which is utilised by CEO of Hays Travel in order to
control activities and execution of their employees. By utilising this power business can
be controlled in proper manner along with this team performance can also be enhanced.
This power is useful in maintaining team performance in prominent manner along with
high efficacy. Referent power: This power is utilised by leaders of Hays Travel in order to improve
level of confidence in their employees. The leaders are exerting motivation within their
team so as to provide impactful functioning to the team and employee as well. This
provides high team performance of workforce existed in the team and this develops loyal
employees for Hays Travel (Aderibigbe, Nwokolo and Oluwole, 2019). Expert power: This type of power is assigned to the manager who are capable and exert
high knowledge. The manager of Hays Travel are capable of tackling complex situation
and this the way by which effective working can be rendered to the business. On the
other hand this power obtains full efforts of employees in order to achieve overall goals
in effective manner.
Influence of Culture on team and individuals
Culture is referred as the values, beliefs and norms in which societal functions are
followed by the business. On the other hand this culture can be more explained through Handy
typology model as this is providing clear view of organisational culture. This model is elaborated
as under:
 Power culture: This culture is used by employees in order to exhibit proper functioning
of the business. For Hays Travel in their organisation there are few people who are
exerting this power so as to manage and control business activities in prominent manner.
In business experienced people are exerting this power and they are assisting employees
so that they can perform in a better way.

 Role culture: This role is related with giving role and responsibilities to employees
within business. The manager of Hays Travel is using this culture model in order to
assign job role to their employees as according to their skills and capabilities. By this
team performance can be improvised (Fuentealba, Liu and Li, 2016).
 Person culture: In this type of culture managers are examining potential of employees so
as to showcase their skills and capabilities. The manager of Hays Travel is continuously
motivating their employees so that they may stay encouraged and this may lead in sharing
their valuable ideas to the business. By sharing new and innovative ideas motivation can
be rendered in the organisation of Hays Travel which results in upliftment of overall
output.
 Task culture: This culture states that work to the employees are required to be provided
on the basis of their skill and productivity so that overall productiveness ca be enhanced.
The manager of Hays Travel are highly focused on their culture and this is providing
maximum output to their business.
Influence of politics on team and individual performance
Organisational politics is defined as engagement of employees in informal discussions
and groups which may provide negative implications to overall organisation. According to
Chanlat, political behaviour of workforce is being divided into three types which is Decisional,
personal and structural. Organisational politics are providing negative impacts to their employees
in various manners. As for Hays Travel they have acquired units of Thomas cook and this has
emerged employees of both the companies. This movement of company is having high
inclination towards politics as due to combining of two organisation various types of employees
comes together to perform business activities (O'Grady, 2018). The impact of politics on
business of Hays Travel is explained as under:
Reduced productivity: When employees are taking part in organisational politics then
they adopt practices of avoiding essential working which impacts their performance in negative
manner. By this they are not able to draw their full attention on their work due to which team
performance get decreased.
Spoiled ambience: Due to involvement in organisational politics negative environment is
created which leads to improper functioning. This is resulting in decreased productivity and

inefficient progress. By this overall business environment get tarnished and negative impact is
seen over each and every working individual.
These factors are having high impact on organisational behaviour and this results in
improper functioning of employees and teams which leads in decrement of overall productivity.
The manager of Hays Travel are determining impacts over business performance and
achievement over organisational goals in prominent manner.
Motivational theories for accomplishing organisational goals
Motivation is defined as the encouragement which is exerted to individual in the business
in order to boost their productivity and performance (Mousa, Massoud and Ayoubi, 2020).
Motivation is defined as the most essential aspect by which pre determined goals can be
achieved by individuals in significant manner. The manager of Hays Travel is utilising various
theories of motivation so as to encourage their employees for effective working. These theories
are divided into two types one is process theory and another one is content theory. These theories
are discussed below:
Content theories of motivation
Maslow Hierarchy of needs
This theory was propounded by Abraham Maslow in the year of 1943 which is
emphasised on fulfilling needs and demands of employees in effective manner. By meeting all
the needs of employees this leads to achieve high level of satisfaction due to which business
functions can be completed in effective manner. These needs are elaborated as under: Physiological needs: These needs are defined as Water, food, shelter and other aspects
which are required by an individual in order to survive. Safety need: These needs are associated with life and safety requirement of individual
such as financial security, health safety and many more. Social need: These needs are related with feeling of love and belongings within society.
This need is highly essential for employees of Hays Travel as by this social status can be
maintained. Self- esteem: These needs are related with self respect, appreciation by which importance
can be rendered by individual to other.
 Self-actualisation: These needs are related with achieving more in life so as to become
best version of ourself.

The manager of Hays Travel is using this theory in order to determine various needs of
employees and putting efforts to satisfy the same. This is leading in job satisfaction by which
overall productivity get enhanced and desired results can be drawn.
Source: The Hierarchy of Human Needs: Maslow’s Model of Motivation. 2018
Process theories
Vroom Expectancy Theory
This theory says that behaviour is depending on their choices. This is reducing their pain
and increasing pleasure level as well. Vroom theory says that personal behaviour and
performance is based on various aspects such as personality, skills and knowledge. Motivation is
way different than contribution and these both factors are independent form each other. By
recognising these factors, managers of Hays Travel are using three variables which are
expectancy, instrumentality and valance (Pradhan, Jena, and Panigrahy, 2020). With the help of
this theory personal and professional; goals are determined by individuals and job satisfaction
can be rendered.
Adam’s Equity Theory
Illustration 1: Hierarchy of Human Needs:
Maslow’s Model of Motivation

This theory was propounded by J. Stacy Adams in which explanation of social equity is
being enumerated. This theory states that on the basis of exerted performance rewards are
provided to the employees. Employees are having habit to compare their rewards with other
person of same rank and designation. In the presence of equitable rewards, job equity can be
created which leads to tremendous outputs and on the other side due to inequitable rewards, low
job satisfaction is obtained (Odor, 2018).
With the help of effective power in the business culture can be maintained at prominent
manner this leads to generation of motivation in employees. For Hays Travel as they have high
workforce due to collaboration of units of Thomas cook so chances of high politics are existed
over there. Culture is having direct relation with motivation as due to presence of effective
culture teams are free to communicate with each other, this gives motivation to employees to
perform their job role in prominent manner.
PART 2
Importance of having effective teams
Teams are defined as combination of various personnel in the organisation so that various
skills can be accumulated and framed objectives can be attained. For Hays Travel teams are
essential to be existed as this enable whole the business to work on a similar platform in order to
attain overall objectives in prominent manner. Importance of effective teams are elaborated as
under:
Brings new ideas: In any of the entity, it is necessary to understand that introduction of
new idea is quite necessary because it certainly allow company to represent themselves
differently within the market so that goals can be accomplished (Farris, 2018). In context of
Hays Travel, they are among one of those organisation, where innovative and new idea has a
huge importance for attracting more number of customers in a very short time period.
Problem-solving: It is among the important area where any of the organisation needs to
work and it is only possible in the circumstances where entity have formed effective team. In
context of Hays Travel, they are among one of those entity which needs to understand that they
must be able to form effective team where different skilful person must be included. Inclusion of
capable and skilful person can easily allow themselves to resolve any of the problem which is
being faced by the entity.

Improve performance at individual level: In any of the entity there are number of
employees who has to suffer from number of problem whenever they perform their work
individual. But, at the same time if an organisation is able to manage different team then it will
certainly enhance the performance of every employees which is quite necessary for attaining the
targets. Discussing about Hays Travel, they are among one of those entity which has been able to
perform decently since long time period and the main reason behind the success of entity is
performing any of the work as a team (Narzary and Palo, 2020). In addition, by performing work
along within different member there is higher probability that performance of individual gets
improved due to which company get extra benefit to accomplish the goals.
Functional: Whenever in any of the entity perform their work as a team the chances for
them to achieve any of the of the goals increases. It is because members can also work on the
area which are weaker on side and which can further create issues in accomplishing the goals.
Talking about Hays Travel, this types of team always allow themselves to deliver maximum
efforts through which targets can be attained within given time period.
Effective team vs ineffective team.
In any of the entity, teamwork is supported as it allows to enhance the productivity of a
company. For any of the organisation, team plays the necessary role through which they can
easily attain their goals and target. There are mainly two different types of team which has been
discussed below in detail:
Effective team: These are team which are formed after analysing the proper skill and
talent of every single person. The contribution from different members in the teams shows their
efforts towards the entity due to which company gets chance to accomplish their goals. In depth,
it can be said that this types of team can easily resolve any of the issue which are being faced by
them by identifying the main cause. The major benefit which can be seen in this types of
organisation is that they are able to support each other whenever there is a requirement.
Ineffective teams: The team which are commenced within the entity without analysing any
of the factor is known as ineffective team. This are among one of those team where there is
higher possibilities of arising any sort of issue. It is rarely seen that any of the guidance is being
provided to the members in it. There is higher probability that company might face issue after the
formation of team.
Difference between effective and ineffective teams

Basis Effective team Ineffective team
Goals In this types of team goals are
always set by the leader of a
team where support of each
other plays crucial role.
Leader of the team do not have
any clear idea that what are the
necessary steps which must be
taken.
Role distribution Any of the role and
responsibilities are provided
on the basis of knowledge and
skill of the person (Bakotić,
2016).
At time of distribution of work
any of the factor is not
considered in any of the
situation.
Problem solving As each of the person knows
their role in the team due to
which they are able to
contribute in resolving the
issue.
In this types of entity it is
rarely seen that problem can be
solved because of lack of
coordination and knowledge.
Talking about Janis Groupthink theory it was one of the theory which was introduced in
year 1972 which consists of highly intelligent individuals who can allow themselves to perform
better for attaining the goals. There are basically eight different symptoms of group think and
they are an illusion of invulnerability or of the inability to be wrong, the collective rationalization
of the group’s decisions, an unquestioned belief in the morality of the group and its choices,
stereotyping of the relevant opponents or out-group members, and the presence of “mindguards”
who act as barriers to alternative or negative information, as well as self-censorship and an
illusion of unanimity (Piórkowska and Stańczyk-Hugiet, 2017). Decision making affected by
groupthink neglects possible alternatives and focuses on a narrow number of goals, ignoring the
risks involved in a particular decision.
Belbin Team Development Model
It is the model which was introduced by Meredith Belbin which focuses that how any of
the team can accomplish the goals where role to any of the member must be assigned as per the
knowledge and skill of an individual. If company like Hays Travel can use this model in
appropriate manner they can allow themselves to accomplish their goals on time.

 Action oriented roles: It is the action which emphasis on attaining the goals with the help
of formation of different types of strategies (Giessner, 2016). In context of Hays Travel,
roles and responsibility can be distributed on the basis of strategies formed by the team
 People oriented roles : Such roles has been assisting the team to gather unique ideas and
also suggestions through the persons that helps in making project execution improvised.
Under this role coordinator, team work and resource investigation. Roles that has
improving teams performance in Hays travel because better suggestion that is going to
help in achieving of goals in efficient manner.
 Cerebral roles: Such roles has been assisting analysis of team for determining of different
opinions that has been based upon. This role is going to help team of Hays travel to find
out various kinds of alternatives fro issue and solutions is being provided to mark out
both negative and positive parts.
Concepts and philosophies of organisational behaviour
 Path goal theory of leadership: This theory has been dealing with the state of
leadership style that has been helping mangers and leaders in efficiently manner. Such
theory of leadership is going to be helpful in improvising of characteristics of employees
and make there capacity increase in the Hays travel.
 Classification of path goal theory-
 Employees characteristics: It has been helping in skills improvisation as per the
requirement. In Hays travel this is going to motivate employees through making them
more efficient in working.
 Task and environmental characteristics: It is being refereed to that kind of
issues that has been faced by employees. This is going to make the employees of hays
travel over determining these characteristics and also makes manger resolve issue without
nay problem to over come barriers.
 Leadership styles: Leadership styles assist the managers and leaders in effectively
handling their team members so that maximum output can be obtained from them. Some
of these styles are as follows:

 Participative style: Under this style , manager is going to encourage employees to be a
part of teamwork in order to attain better productivity. Managers of hays travel is going
to share ideas that is going to impact the decision of future.
 Directive style: Such style of manager has been used over involving the idea and
suggesting the employees in decision making process. This is going to be adopted by
hays travel in making workload high with quick decision.

Barriers in implementing new organisational structure
 There are various barriers that has been restricting hays travel over implementing the
structure at workplace in most efficient and effective manner. Its important for
managing over barriers and make effective decision by the management. Some has been
explained as follows :
 Hays travel is multinational organization that has been attaining of huge workforce that
has been increasing all possibilities of conflict within the employees. Due to poor
management.
 Employees has been resisting management that is going to bring new changes in an
organization that is having fear to loose its importance.
 Such complexity is making environment, adaptive towards the leadership style in
fluctuating according to the situation.
CONCLUSION
From the above report this can be concluded that organisational behaviour is having high
influence of power, culture, politics and motivation. The management of every business is
required to exert power in prominent manner so that culture can be maintained and politics can
be avoided. Management is having effective tool of motivation in order to boost efficacy and
productivity of employees and by giving appropriate rewards output can be enhanced. Some of
the motivational theories are used by businesses such as content and process in order to

encourage their employees and to stay effective within business. Leadership style is having
prominent role in meeting goals in significant manner and to deal with people by establishing
communication so that to deal with any conflict and adopt corrective measures on early basis.

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