Organizational Behavior: Theory and Applications

This assignment delves into the field of organizational behavior, exploring various theoretical frameworks and empirical studies. It analyzes concepts such as effective teamwork, social identity at work, workplace aggression, and employee voice behavior. Students are expected to demonstrate their understanding of these concepts by drawing upon relevant research and applying them to real-world scenarios.

Organisational Behaviour

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Analyse how an organization's culture, politics and power influence individual and team
behaviour and performance....................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2 Content and process theories of motivation......................................................................3
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
P3 Explain what makes an effective team as opposed to an ineffective team.......................6
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................9
P4 Apply concepts and philosophies of organizational behaviour.........................................9
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Organization behavior refers to a study of human behaviors at work place as per norms
and policies of a business concern which are compulsory to be followed by staff members. Every
company have their own concept of manufacturing goods to run a business. According to which
they establish several rules and regulations which should be followed by employees in proper
manner (Al-Zu’bi, 2010). A David & Co Limited is an American food favor company which
produces approximately 40,000 flavors, stabilizers and natural colors. The company is
established by A David Michael and Herman Hertz in Philadelphia and it operates in Illinois,
California, Mexico, France and China. Thus, the report is based on organization's culture,
politics and power which impacts on performance of an individual and team as well. In addition,
it also includes motivational theories, aspects of effective and ineffective team and philosophies
of organization behavior.
TASK 1
P1 Analyse how an organization's culture, politics and power influence individual and team
behaviour and performance.
Organizational cultures refers to the behavior of people who are working within an
enterprise which can be a small and large company. There are some rules to interact with the
people who are working there. This is an effective tool to manage the teams so that they can
enhance their productivity and performance as well. The organization has some policies where
the employees works in coordination and delivers the output that can achieve the goals and
objective of A David & Co Limited. There are three key elements which impacts on the behavior
and performance of an individual along with the team. These factors are known as culture,
politics and power and that are given below - Charles Handy Model of Organization Culture
Charles Handy is a renowned philosopher who developed organization culture
theory(Ali, 2010). There are four basic types of culture which are followed by the organization
namely, power, role, task and person. These are mentioned as below -
Power culture - According to this aspect, power is held by the individual who has an
impact on the entire organization. For an instance, as the CEO or the Managing director of A
David & Co Limited, are the influential personality of the entire organization. They have the
power to establish the rules and regulations and right to decision. They also assigns authorities
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to their sub – ordinates to analyze the performance of their employees. The managers also has
authorities to take decision on the behalf of top management. As mangers has the power take the
decision for the employees benefits.
Role Culture – Every employee has some roles and responsibilities according to their
specialization, educational qualification and skills and position in the company as well(Baum,
Frese and Baron, 2014). In such culture, the employees plays a vital role because they takes the
responsibility to accomplish the challenging tasks. As at A David & Co Limited, every
individual are assigned such activities for which only the employees are accountable They have
choice to select task but at that same time they have liability to complete task because power
comes with responsibility. That's why every individual is accountable for their work which is
assigned to them.
Task culture : A David & Co Limited has a task culture because teams put their efforts
in synergy to attain task or resolve issues. The employees who are involved in a team have the
same interest and specialization forms a team to achieve the goals and objectives of the firm. The
task culture is that the every member of the team will put equal efforts to accomplish the task
with a new approach. Thus, the major impact of this culture is to raise the profit and productivity
of the organization.
Person culture : According to this, an employee has a perception that they are most
important rather than the organization. That's why it is known as person culture because people
are more concerned about themselves rather the firm where they are working. In this condition,
it can adversely impact on the A David & Co Limited because the workers are not loyal towards
the organization.
Organization politics : Politics plays a vital role throughout the organization because it
impacts upon the individuals, and team of the company (DeChurch and Mesmer-Magnus,
2010).As creates the conflicts among the workers who are working there and it impact on their
work efficiency. The employees plays politics at A David & Co Limited to come in the front of
the higher authorities. It impacts on the organization such as -
Decrease in the productivity – These kinds of employees are pays less attention towards
their work and spend their time in leg pulling, back biting and criticizing others. Hence, it
reduces the productivity of A David & Co Limited.
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Spoils the environment – The employees who are involved in the politics creates a
negative atmosphere at workplace. As it also creates the conflicts among the employees and this
impacts on their work and behavior within the organization.
Organizational Power : Power is the capability to control a team and organization yet,
kinds of power differs according to their utilization(Coccia and Rolfo, 2013). these power can
impact positively and negative as well, if they are not used in better manner. There are several
types of powers and that are mentioned below -
Reward Power – It comes with the ability to give the rewards to the employees. It is not
essential that A David & Co Limited rewards their employees in monetary terms. It can be the
inspirational words that can motivate the employees to improve their efficiency. If the CEO of
organization praise the employees then it is valuable for an individual and they can improve their
performance which influences the organization productivity. It impacts to raise the profit of the
organization and productivity as well.
Expert Power – As much as a person gains the knowledge and skills in their working
area will become greater experts. For an illustration, if at A David & Co Limited CEO's
computer is not working properly then they will call to the computer expert. As the computer
engineer has the great knowledge about computer and only they can resolve the issues that's why
they have the expert power. Hence, this power is not remains with top management of the
company it actually related with the expert knowledge in certain fields. This encourage the
collaboration among the employees because they all are dependent on each other and it enhances
the positive environment at workplace.
TASK 2
P2 Content and process theories of motivation.
Motivation refers to the inspiration from where a human being works to attain the
satisfaction to achieve the higher desires. There are two kinds of motivational theories that are
known as content and process theory. Content theories are focused on the factors that helps them
motivate and satisfy their needs(Haslamand et. al., 2014). On the other hand, process theories
are based on the individual choices and their preferences, reward factors, ad sense of the
accomplishment.
Content theory of Motivation includes following theories:
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Maslow – hierarchy of needs
This is the one of the earliest and well known motivational theory which is developed by
Abraham Maslow. The hierarchy structure of the needs is shown in a pyramid shape, in which
the human being works to satisfy their initial needs at the lowest level and then proceeds towards
the higher level.
(Source : Hierarchy of Needs, 2018)
Physical needs : It includes the most basic needs of the individuals to survive. As the
human beings needs air, water, food to live on the planet.The employees within A David & Co
Limited also focused on the initial level of their job. As they needs to learn the things regarding
their job profile and they needs to satisfy the requirements of the job role that can help to get the
recruitment. If their skills and qualification satisfies basic requirement of the job profile then
they can be recruited as an employee of the firm. This is the first and foremost level of the
pyramid that has to be satisfy by the employees(Hershcovis, 2011).
Security : After accomplishing the physical needs, human desires will raise to get the
security of their life. Their next aim is to achieve the safety and security after satisfying their
physical needs. As after getting the recruitment at A David & Co Limited, the employees thinks
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Illustration 1: Hierarchy of Needs

that they needs to increase their income and take the insurance to live a tension free life. They
looks for the personal security, financial security, health and well being, safety against the
accidents, illness. People put their efforts to escape from these harmful impacts and gains the
security through their hard work. This is the second lowest level where a person tries to satisfy
their needs and requirements.
Social – This is the third lowest factor where a person seeks to be a part of social groups
and involve in them. At this stage they seeks to engage in the community where they can get
affection, respect and love from relatives(Huang and Bond, 2012). As after accomplishing the
physical and security needs the employees of A David & Co Limited will move towards the
community where they can make friends and spend time with them. As they are satisfied their
work and because of their struggle they accomplished their target.
Esteem/Ego – As the people satisfies their physical, security and social needs, an
individual of who is working at A David & Co Limited started being pride to themselves. They
expects to get some respect and honor from others because they thinks that they have achieved
their desired position. They have reached at the level where they have some power to govern
others such as they have become a manger that's why they should get some respect from their
sub – ordinates.
Self – actualization – It is the top level of the pyramid where an individual realize that
they should put their potential to develop the opportunities for others. In this stage the people
should thinks that what they can do to innovate the new things. The employee feels that they can
do everything for which they have the potential and they put their efforts to complete the task.
This is the Maslow Hierarchy theory in which a human being seeks to satisfy their needs
from the lowest level towards the high level of the pyramid.
ERG theory (Existence needs, relatedness needs and growth needs) : It is
distinguished by three classes that are named as existence, relatedness and growth needs(Judge
and Kammeyer‐Mueller, 2012). It is quite close to the Maslow's theory because the physical and
social needs are related to the existence needs. Relatedne4ss belongs to the social and ego of
others. The last one, Growth is harmonized with the self -esteem plus self -actualization. This
can be define as follows -
Existence needs – It includes the basic needs of the employees, it initial satisfies physical
needs and safety of the people while working at A David & Co Limited.
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Related needs – This takes place where an employee has the desire to have a family,
friends and interact within the community. The employees are strive to get the love and affection
from their family and surroundings. They employees wanted to get the fame and recognition
while working within A David & Co Limited.
Growth needs – In this the employee needs for the self – development and personal
growth the employee needs to seek the advancement of their skills and capabilities. They works
for the innovative skill and capabilities while working at A David & Co Limited that can be
beneficial for other people. Adams' equity theory : According to this theory, the employees
put works in contribution and outcome of their efforts is shareable among every employee. They
all put equal efforts so they seeks to get the equal benefits for everyone. On the contrary, if they
see that they are not getting the equal benefits then they decreases their contribution in the work.
These are the two motivational theories which influences the employees of A David &
Co Limited to encourage them to reach towards the top level of the satisfaction. That's why all
of these motivational activities gives an effective output to the firm. In order to gain the
organization should use motivation techniques that can encourage their employees to increase
their productivity and performance of organization as well.
TASK 3
P3 Explain what makes an effective team as opposed to an ineffective team.
Groups is about cluster of various members who are coming closer to attain similar goals
and objectives in a defined time frame(Koenig and et.al., 2011). Effective and ineffective team
are two distinct terms which are different from each other in various manner. For example; if any
group is working in a better manner by having full cooperation between team members. On the
other hand, if there is presence of conflicting situation amongst teammates then it shows the sign
of ineffective team. Thus, A David & Co. Ltd. Is trying to create effective team by making
proper plans and policies in order to minimize the problematic situation. However, major
difference between these effective and ineffective team is discussed as follows-
Effective team Ineffective team
 Full cooperation amongst various
teammates while performing any
 Maximization of conflicting situations
creates problem for employees while
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business activities.
 Minimum conflicts.
 Trying to maintain the peaceful
environment of a group by understand
aspects of each other.
 Positive relations amongst team
members which helps in attaining set
objectives or goals in a given time
frame.
performing at workplace.
 Lack of trust amongst group members
and leaders.
 Absence of unity due creates problems
for an organization while achieving
targets.
 Lack of self analysis.
 Improper job distribution.
From the above tabular representation, it has been assessed that effective team and
ineffective team have a major difference which shows that company needs to work on their
unity.
Belbin Theory: This theory states to utilize talents of overall team in an appropriate
manner for completing targets along with better outcomes. It can be utilized by A Davis & Co
Ltd for building more effective as well as efficient teams to fulfill desired goals successfully.
Thus, this theory has several elements which are explained further –
Implementer – It is an individual with skills of practical organizing to generate required
outputs. They have a significant role to put ideas or plans to execution properly in a systematic
manner(Kulik and Olekalns, 2012).
Resource Investigator – This kind of person always remain cheerful and full of contacts
having several skills such as adventurous, open minded and enthusiastic. These people are for
ideas or thoughts but little bit careless.
Plant – It is a person who is very innovative and creates several beneficial ideas for
welfare of team which helps to attain desired targets properly. The plays an important role to
create concepts and sort out problems in an accurate manner.
Monitor – This individual is considered as sensible, thoughtful and critical who fulfill
duty of analyzing different situations in an appropriate manner. Such members provide support
to analyze various circumstances to render proper judgement along with providing strategic
solutions for several issues.
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Shaper – This members of a team is passionate and willful to put efforts and completing
any specific tasks properly by applying more effective as well as efficient techniques or
procedures properly. They render help to overall team for moving forward by achieving
profitable results along with solving problems as well as overcomes obstacles.
Coordinator – A person having natural skills of coordination and fulfill roles of clarify
intentions for specific project to everyone by utilizing potentials of overall team in proper way to
gain desired outcomes. They have an important duty of clarifying goals, discus structure,
generate unity of team and make strong decisions accordingly(Lee, Kim and Kim, 2013).
Complete Finisher – This can be described as a person who thoroughly analyze chance
of raising issues or problems in operational activities as well as procedures. They put efforts for
remaining attentive, checking and re- checking everything for reducing threats or immediately
sort out the same for decreasing risk of having negative impacts on outcomes. Moreover,
complete finisher plays certain roles such as remain eye for detail, foresees potential issues
watches overall quality and analyze about risks or uncertainties.
Team worker - This can be explained as the most sensitive person of team who remains
helpful to other and focus on particular tasks to complete in appropriately. They want to make
friends and prefer harmony as well as contribute to team in terms of their effective knowledge
with efficient technical skills(Ng and Feldman, 2012). Such people are relationship oriented,
caring and responsible for generating together ness along with team spirit which is an important
factor for achieving desired targets.
Specialist – This person is a perfectionist in specific field with lots of practical as well as
theoretical knowledge. They have an expertise and specialized ability through which contributes
to team by clarifying particular concept for gaining better profits.
Tuckman Theory: This theory of developing an effective team was primarily proposed
by great thinker known as Dr. Bruce Tuckman including several stages in the year around 1965.
It involves certain elements such as forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning. In
context to A David & Co Ltd, they can use this theory to build more effectively as well as
efficiently to complete desired target so business which facilitates to attain growth successfully.
Forming – This stage includes people remain as per their own nature like polite, anxious,
calm, positive because they come together to know each other first time. A leader should play a
dominant role as roles and responsibilities of team members are not clear yet.
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Storming – At this level, people starts work together ad put efforts as per their one style of
working to fulfil their roles or duties in appropriate way through generating better results.
Additionally, differentiated ways of performing may create several conflicts or issues which are
required to be sort out by leaders(Olson Herman and Zanna, 2014).
Norming – This stage involves a situation when overall team members are coming together
by resolving differences, appreciating their colleagues’ strengths and respect superiors which
results into normal as well as stable environment of work place. Moreover, people maintain
healthy relationships with each other which provide support to establish an effective coordination
and cooperation which facilitates to attain more appropriate outputs.
Performing – The level of performing includes hard work done by all team members
through avoiding friction towards achieving targets or objectives. A leader delegates roles or
duties between staff members to focus on effective strategies to develop people and them they
feel easy as part of a group.
Adjourning – At last but not the least, team are restructuring after completing particular
goals and make others teams for further projects(Owings and Kaplan, 2012).
TASK 4
P4 Apply concepts and philosophies of organizational behaviour
Organizational policies and concepts are important for maintaining proper working
environment of an origination which are required to be followed by employees compulsorily. It
is necessary for overall companies to make an appropriate strategy of their business which is
favorable for the same and implement appropriate rules to maintain peaceful or healthy working
culture.
Path goal theory: This theory states that leader's behavior is contingent to satisfaction,
motivation and performance of their sub- ordinates. It can be described as an appropriate theory
of leadership which was previously developed by great thinker known as Robert House in the
year around 1971. It is based on specifying style as well as behavior of leaders that is applicable
between staff members and working environment properly. Moreover, it can be applied by A
David & Co Ltd to adopt an appropriate path for achieving specific goal successfully. Thus, this
model has several components which are as under –
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Employee contingencies – This refers to several skills or abilities of staff members but at
same time every individual have strengths and weakness. It is necessary for leader to understand
field of expertise of employees and assign tasks according to the same. Thus, it is helpful to
person for working appropriately along with creating opportunity to gain better outcomes(Paillé
and Grima, 2011).
Leader effectiveness – The leaders have several roles towards employees such as motivating
people, satisfy workers and influence them to follow own instructions. It is necessary to make
healthy professional relation with them and facilitates to attain desired outputs.
Leader behaviors: There are different types of leaders with their own skills and way thinking
such as directive, supportive, participative and achievement oriented. Additionally, they decide
their own criteria of giving orders and make work done from employees appropriately.
Environmental contingencies: This refers to several problems which may create at work lace
related to tasks structure and team dynamics. Thus, all such issues should be solved immediately
to form an accurate plan of action which is helpful to gain better results in business.
As per this theory, leaders motivate team members and improve their morale to influence
them for putting efforts to increase their efficiencies. It will facilitates to boost up performance of
employees which results into increasing productivity on regular basis along with attaining
accomplished goals successfully in given organization.
CONCLUSION
The above report concludes that organization behavior can be described as behaving
manners of staff members in an organization at time of working along with obeying rules or
policies of the same. Culture, power and political factors influence the decision making and
organizational behavior that can be studied through using various models such as Handy's
typologies etc. There are key two motivational theories identified i.e. content or process theories
of motivation which consist of Maslow's hierarchy theory along, ERG model etc. employed by
organization as per their requirement. Effective teams can enhance the organization's
performance and productivity if this is framed accordingly. An effective team follows Tuckman's
theory and should comply Belbin's team roles.
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REFERENCES
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Online
Hierarchy of Needs. 2018. [Online]. Available through
<https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hide-and-seek/201205/our-hierarchy-
needs>
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