Organisational Behaviour: Managing Culture, Politics, and Power in Waitrose

This report explores the concept of organisational behaviour in Waitrose, specifically focusing on the management of culture, politics, and power. It discusses different motivational theories and the effectiveness of team management. The report provides insights into the various aspects of organisational behaviour and their impact on achieving organisational targets.

Organisational
Behaviour

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
OB is a concept which is related to the management employee's reaction towards
particular situation within the workplace. It is essential for different organisations to maintain the
way in which individuals react within teams for managing and controlling different
organisational tasks and activities (Chan, and Lai, 2017). It is concluded that behaviour of
individual depends upon the way in which efficiency as well as profitability of the organisation
can be increased. The various aspects which are associated with managing off organisational
issues include business environment, incentives, performance, etc. In this report, the company
which is associated is waitrose. This organisation of UK is involved in in managing the selling of
various products to customers. This report includes culture, politics and power of the
organisation management used while managing the business functions. There is discussion about
different motivational theories and effectiveness of team management. At last, there is
explanation regarding various philosophies of OB.
TASK 1
P1
OB is known as concept which is related to behaviour of performance of an individual
working within the organisation. It is very important to power politics as well as culture for
running business smoothly. It is seen that Waitrose is a company which focuses upon managing
the organisational behaviour properly so that it can attend the organisational targets within
specified time frame. There are various elements and factors such as organisational power,
politics and culture that are managed effectively in order to attain the goals and targets (Rashid,
Gul, and Khalid, 2018). There are different organisations which have adopted different
organisational culture within the workplace. The concept of organisational politics, culture and
power as described below –
Organisational culture - it is defined as the environment or surrounding provided by the
management to employees of the company (Conard, and et.al, 2016). Organisational culture
followed within the company helps in managing the employees and company functions properly.
This is also helpful for managing the functions ad business activities in proper manner. For a
company, it is very essential to manage the functioning and working effectively. The managers
of Waitrose are working properly in order to provide good services to customers. This is helpful

in achieving the organisational targets in less time. There are various organisational culture that
can be followed by the companies –
Power culture - transfer this workplace culture, there are various rules and regulations provided
to staff and employees by the management of company. Manager is provided power for
managing and controlling the organisational activities. It is ensured that the managers are
making quick decisions that will help in managing the organisational issues properly (Skinner,
and Stewart, 2017). In context of Waitrose company, the management has adopted managers of
different departments to achieve the organisational targets by guiding different subordinates.
 Task culture - according to this type of organisational culture, different teams are are
developed within the organisation and they are allowed to to perform specific tasks and in
this way, management is able to achieve the targets of organisations properly.
 Person culture - according to this organisational culture, the individuals working in the
company are considered as unique people and they have their own way of functioning
within the company and maintaining the achievement of targets and goals.
 Role culture – as per this organisational culture, there are certain regulations as well as
rules provided to the employees in order to maintain the efficiency and productivity of
the company in proper manner (Szabó, and et.al, 2018). employees are provided rewards
and appreciation for doing excellent work.
Organisational politics - this is defined as activities which are basically performed by
employees who are not very productive and they are jealous of other hard working employees.
There are some employees who believes that involving in nuisance activities will help in
impressing superiors and it is advantage of them to take promotions within the company
(Dedahanov, Rhee, and Yoon, 2017). It is very important for the company to manage the
employees working in the company properly and handling the norms and regulations provided
to manage day targets and goals of the company in proper manner. There are several ways by
which employees are affected by the organisational politics. Some of these are mentioned
below-
Demotivation of employees - there are various employees who are busy in performing various
useless activities just for impressing the seniors or managers. It is essential for the management
that it organisational politics is not affecting the encouragement and motivation of employees as
it will affect their performance in negative manner.

Productivity of the company and employees will be decreased - according to this fact, it is
analysed that employees and staff are working together and they are engaged in organisational
politics, it is not provided that they are working properly for managing their job role and
responsibility in proper manner (Antierens, and et.al, 2018 ).
Workplace culture is spoiled - It is seen that when the employees are involved in various
activities related to organisational politics, they are harming the workplace surrounding and it is
not easy to work in this kind of surroundings.
In context of Waitrose company, it is concluded that management of this company e is involved
in various activities that motivates and encourages all employees to not get involved in in
organisational politics that will affect the employees negatively (Halbesleben, and Wheeler,
2015). This is seen that it affects team management as well as overall performance of employees
to achieve the organisational targets.
Organisational power - this is defined as power which is provided to different seniors and
managers of the company in order to provide guidance and instructions to subordinates for
managing the work in proper manner. It is concluded that organisational power is provided to
employees who are working extra ordinary and achieving the targets in less time. There are
different departments in Waitrose including human resource, finance, operations, marketing
which have to be managed properly and there is head of department or manager a signed who
provides guidance to the subordinates in order to work effectively in different fields (Njoku,
2018). The different type of organisational power used within Waitrose company are mentioned
below –
 Legitimate power - according to this organisational power, the leaders and managers can
act according to the position they are having within the company.
 Reward power - this power states that managers can provide effective rewards to the
employees for performing well in their tasks and activities.
 Referent power - according to this organisational power, there is need of building loyalty
among the employees towards the organisation.
 Informational power - it consists of power in which there is need of informing people
about the strategy and plans of competitors and providing them decision support
information.

 Expert power – according to this type of power, the individual has to grab knowledge
about market and business.
In context of Waitrose organisation, the managers are using reward power and legitimate power
while managing their subordinates (Harvey, Bolino, and Kelemen, 2018). This is helpful in
analysing the needs and demands of employees as well as managing the organisational
efficiency.
M1
Success of any company depends upon the way in which organisational management is working.
It is concluded that efficiency as well as productivity of organisation is affected by politics,
power and culture followed within the organisation. In context of Waitrose company, power
culture is followed which provides control to the manager in handling and managing various
organisational issues and problems. If the manager is handling the power positively, it is good
for the company. On the other hand, if manager is misusing his power and not working for
organisational target achievement properly then it will not be good for company (Tamta, and
Rao, 2016). Negative organisational politics like demotion, personality, stress, employee anger
must not be the part of the Waitrose company as it will help in increasing efficiency of the
business processes.
TASK 2
P2
Employee motivation is very important within the company as it helps in in achieving the
organisational targets and goals in specified time frame. The motivation provided to staff is
related with level of commitment, creativity and strategy which reflects how involved of person
is towards the organisation. Different managers and leaders of the company motivate employees
so that it is easy to increase productivity and efficiency of company (Khalid, and Ahmed, 2016).
In context of waitrose organisation, employees are provided effective motivation so that they can
achieve their targets and specified time. Motivation is defined as core concept of management
and used for analysing the responsibilities of individuals properly (Kumari, 2020 ). There are
various theories about motivation that provides information to the management of different

organisations to provide encouragement and motivation to employees in order to achieve the
organisational targets in time. Basically there are two types of motivation intrinsic and extrinsic
which are provided to employees of waitrose company.
Intrinsic Motivation Extrinsic Motivation
The intrinsic motivation is referred to the
managing of the company’s values and beliefs
in proper manner by providing them internal
satisfaction and happiness . This is very
important for the company to manage
motivation of employees so that overall
performance of the employees is achieved.
This is defined as the encouragement and
motivation that is involved in managing the
work properly. There are various ways for
providing extrinsic motivation to employees
like money, position, power, success and so on.
Motivational Theories: The different motivational theories adopted by waitrose company are
Maslow’s hierarchy theory and Vrooms expectancy theory (Ferreira, 2018). It is very important
for the management to provide motivation to employees as it will help in providing better
services to customers. Maslow's hierarchy theory is described below
Maslow Hierarchy of needs
This motivational theory was given by Abraham maslow in the year 1950. Why developing this
theory, focus upon the basic requirements of an employee while working within any
organisation. According to him, there are several needs of employees which have to be fulfilled
by the company so that employee will be happy and satisfied and he will do good work for the
company. According to this theory, there are several stages of employee needs (Chumg, and
et.al 2016). Some of these are mentioned below-
 Physiological needs - days are associated with basic amenities and requirements of a
person to survive and have a better lifestyle. Days basic requirements include food, yeah,
shelter which a person needs for staying and working for the company.
 Safety and security needs - this is known as another step of Maslow’s hierarchy theory
and according to which it is important for individual to you have safety and security.
When organisation like waitrose is providing enough salary to the employee, there is
need of working up on safety and security. there are two types of security which can be

provided to the employee which includes financial and non financial security
(Adriaenssen, and Johannessen, 2016). Various benefits provided to employee our job
security, medical benefits, health insurance, etc. Which are helpful for managing the
work in proper manner.
 Social needs - according to this type of needs, it is important for the employee to have
social recognition which comes after earning good amount of money through salary.
Employee must develop his social life and have respect among society. The waitress
organisation is providing emotional peace of mind to their employees for managing their
social recognition.
 Esteem needs - as per this Maslow's theory needs, it is important for employees to have
high esteem as well as self Reliance. This comes from managing the societal recognition
and doing good work while managing various business operations.
 Self actualization needs – this is the last stage of maslow hierarchy of needs. There is a
fixed goal in every individual life which can be achieved by attaining all the above needs.
According to maslow this is the last stage of a person's need.
Vroom’s Expectancy theory
According to the Vrooms expectancy theory which was given victor Vroom in the year 1964,
there are three elements of employee motivation which are mentioned below –
Expectancy - according to this stage, there is requirement by every employee for improving the
way in which he is performing the job role and responsibilities (Alexandrova, 2017). When
employees are not working properly and is not able to achieve his targets in time, there is need
for the managers to focus upon his performance and providing him enough knowledge so that he
will work properly and improve his quality of work.
 Instrumentality - according to this step, an individual is motivated when he is attached for
working within the company. In context of waitrose managers, It is seen that managers
are making quick decisions about the encouragement and motivation of employees
(Knight, 2018).
 Valency -according to this factor, there are various individuals who have different
experience. In context of waitrose company, there are different employees coming from
various backgrounds who have different skills which are used by them to achieve the
organisational targets.

.
M2
Waitrose company is focusing upon adopting the motivational theories in order to improve the
performance of employees and managing the achievement of goals and objectives of company.
This is concluded that motivational theories provide management of company to analyse various
aspects of employees and help in improving performance (Khan, Khan, and Gul, 2019). It is
essential for the company to manage organisational behaviour by providing motivation to their
employees so that it is easy to manage the organisational issues properly.
TASK 3
P3
Effective teams are the management teams in which there is need for managing the
completion of goals and objectives of the company. There is growth in business if there is proper
functioning of the organisation. Ineffective teams are not able to achieve their targets and goals
in specified time frame (Vitolla, Rubino, and Garzoni, 2017). The need of effective teams
within company is very important as this helps to achieve the targets and goals in proper manner.
There is Tuckaman’s theory followed within Waitrose for managing the functions and business
activities. This is discussed below -
Tuckman Theory of team development:
The team management theory was given by Bruce Truckman in the year 1965. According
to this theory, there are various stages of team formation. This is very important for the company
to manage the work effectively and attain the organisational goals properly. This is very essential
for the company to manage the team properly for working effectively and managing the
organisational goals and targets. The different stages of team development are mentioned below -
Forming- This is first stage of the team development (Kirsten, 2018). In this step, there
is introduction of all the team members and organisational targets are managed properly. It is
very important for the management to work properly and provide effective information regarding
the team member information and data. There are different people coming from various
backgrounds that have to work together for managing the work properly.

Storming- According to this stage, there are arousal of conflicts and fights among the
team members. It is important that the team members have to manage the conflict occurrence and
fight management so that there is proper management of the work (Boag, Brakel, and Talvitie,
eds., 2018).
Norming- In this phase of the team management, there is agreeing of norms and
regulations that have to adopted by all team members in order to manage the achievement of
organisational targets and goals.
Performing- This is the stage or level of actually performing the business tasks and
activity assigned.
Adjourning- At this stage, team is separated as work is accomplished (Kumari, 2020).
Team management is the most essential aspect of managing any organisational task or
activity. This is very important for the company that there is proper management of the
employees working in the company so that they will achieve the goals and targets effectively.
This is important way of managing the work and achieving the goals properly (Mackey, and
et.al, 2018). In case of Waitrose, there is proper team management in which work is done
properly and organisational targets are achieved in specified time frame.
M3 Examine effective theories of team development.
Tuckman theory provides effectiveness of team and team management. This theory is
helpful in increasing bond between employees and making them work as a team towards a
common goal. It is very important for the organisation that there is good team management
which is helpful for attaining the goals and objectives. This is very important for the company to
meet the goals for analysing effective management of all activities. There is need of managing
the achieving of proper management of business activities so that there is attaining of objectives
effectively.
TASK 4
P4
There are various theories and philosophies of organisational behaviour which are used
by management to analyse value, custom, believes which are helpful for analysing the behaviour
of a person in different situations. It is very important for the leader or manager to know the way

in which subordinates will be behaving in different situations (Ferreira, 2018). The
organisational theories are provided within management for attaining the goals. There is need of
adopting effective OB philosophies and theories are adopted within organisations for managing
the effectiveness of work properly. There is need of managing the leadership properly within the
company for achieving the goals. In context of waitrose company, the management has to focus
upon various organisational theories and concepts and these are mentioned below
Business condition – the waitrose manager has to analyse the present condition of company and
they must emphasize upon having good communication with the employees as it will help in
solving their issues and problems within the company and managing their performance. It is very
essential for the management to know what are the ways for managing the team effectively and
achieving targets.
Path goal theory - according to this theory, the main focus is upon analysing various leadership
styles that can be adopted for managing business operations (Ferreira, 2018). In context of
waitrose company, there is need of managing the motivation effectively and providing proper
satisfaction to employees in order to manage efficiency and productivity. According to the path
goal theory, the leaders are able to manage the work accordingly for managing the organisational
goals. There is effectiveness in the management of working properly and attaining the goals. It is
essential for the company to work effectively in order to manage the functioning properly.
Categorisation of path goal theory
 Employee characteristics - there is high level of authority among the employees of
waitrose company and the management knows what are the needs and demands of
employees. It is helpful in developing positive attitude for achieving organisational
targets.
 Environment and task attributes - there are various managers and leaders of waitrose who
are working upon various areas related to the organisational problems (Mueller, Renken,
and van Den Heuvel, 2016). There are various senior authorities that are managing the
conflicts and disputes that can arise within the workplace.
 Leadership behaviour - it is concluded that in the path goal theory, manager emphasize
upon using good leadership and providing benefits to company.
From the above discussion regarding the path goal theory, it is analysed that waitrose managers
have to choose the best management style as well as leadership style to manage their functioning

(Mueller, Renken, and van Den Heuvel, 2016). Waitrose managers must use participative
management style because this focuses upon efforts of employees in achieving the organisational
targets. There is need of providing positive workplace environment which is helpful for
analysing the positive as well as negative aspects of employee while working at the
organisation.
.
M4
Organisational behaviour is defined as a concept that provides information about the way in
which different individuals behave within team for achieving a particular target (Boag, Brakel,
and Talvitie, 2018). The path goal theory consists of different factors like task, employee,
environmental characteristics and leadership behaviour. There are different elements which
provides help in in managing various business situations and working upon it effectively. There
are various philosophies and theories given for OB in order to manage the functioning properly.
This is important for a company to manage the business operations and activities effectively for
attaining organisational goals and objectives. It is essential to manage the working effectively for
developing the organisational goals.
CONCLUSION
From the above discussion, it is learnt that organisational behaviour is an important
aspect which is essential for the managing and handling of business operations properly. The
management of organisation is helpful for managing the business activities and tasks for
maintaining competitive advantage. The company needs proper organisational behaviour for
achieving targets and goals. It is very essential for providing positive workplace environment to
the employees so that they can perform properly and attaining organisational targets. It is very
important for the management of organisation to analyse the philosophies of OB within the
workplace so that business activities are done properly. There are various philosophies and
theories of OB used for proper management of the company.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals