Organisational Behaviour: Influence of Culture, Politics, and Power on Individual and Team Behaviour

This document discusses the influence of culture, politics, and power on individual and team behaviour in organisational behaviour. It explores the theories of motivation and motivational techniques for effective goal achievement.

Organisational
Behaviour

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Analysation of organisational culture, politics and power influences on individual and
team behaviour and performance................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
P2 Evaluation of theories of motivation and motivational techniques which enable effective
achievement of goals in organisation..........................................................................................4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................5
P3 Explanation effective team opposed to an ineffective team..................................................5
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................7
P4 Application of concepts and philosophies of organisational behaviour within organisation.
.....................................................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Organisational behaviour is a study of behaviour of individuals, group of employees and
other members working in organisation. The study gets more complicated when situational
factors are interacted (Alkhadher, Beehr and Meng, 2020). Every person as different interest and
way of reacting to different things, that is why two individuals can not behave likely in an
organisation. The company selected for this report is Lush Cosmetics Ltd. which deals in
handmade cosmetics. It operates in over 49 countries from which most of locations are in USA
were as most of production facilities are located in United Kingdom, Canada and many more.
The project report focuses on analyses of the influence of culture, polities and power over the
behaviour of people in organisation. Evaluation of elements which motivate individuals and
teams which help in achievement of goals of organisation. In addition to this understanding of
effective cooperation in organisation and application of concepts and philosophies of
organisational behaviour are also focus of the report.
TASK 1
P1 Analysation of organisational culture, politics and power influences on individual and team
behaviour and performance.
In an organisation the individuals, behaviour of team and their performance gets
influenced by various factors. Some of such factors which influence people of Lush company are
culture in working environment, politics and power. These factors can be explained as follows:
Influence of culture- The classification of influence of culture in Lush cosmetics can be
understood with application of Handy's Model. Charles Handy was the person behind this model
as it was his vision and innovative thinking that made him discover these model. Handy's model
are very handy for a business as it can make it grow effectively and efficiently. This model is
related to the cultural aspect which can be explained below-
Handy's culture Model: POWER- This culture says that there is centralisation of power that is power is in few
hands. It can be helpful for big companies (Abrahams, 2016). Lush company is a big
firm and can use it as it is easy and reliable and helps in quick decision making and
reducing the errors that can be done if powers are given to lower authority without much
knowledge.
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 ROLE- In this a firm has decentralised power and authorities and everyone knows the
role and responsibility. It can be helpful in big firm where a individual cannot take all
decisions (Burlea and Remmé, 2017). Lush cosmetics has a huge business and has
subsidiaries all over so it is not possible for few persons to take all the decisions and bear
all the responsibilities alone so it is very handy in such companies and it helps a business
grow TASK- In this a team is formed so as to fulfil a specific task or to achieve a particular
objective which may so in favour of an organisation as specialisation of people can help
to achieve the desired goal. Lush cosmetics can use it as it have a team of highly qualified
people which can take the responsibility and have the capability to perform according to
the standards laid down to achieve a particular objective
 PERSON- In it there are individual people that work together for an organisation. This is
a place where people with similar knowledge and expertise work together. Lush
organisation can use it as it may lead to superior growth as people with similar
backgrounds work together and business can achieve growth by utilising their experience.
Cultural awareness is an understanding of other people's culture, their pattern of living
everyday life, behaviour of the people around us (Veloen, 2016). It helps us to understand the
similarities or differences between us and other peoples, and facilitate friendly interaction among
the persons of different cultural . It is a tool that can ease communications and interactions with
the other backgrounds and make friendly environment. The process of cultural awareness take
times but it definitely worth for efforts to become aware of the culture gaps between people
around us.
 Lush as a cosmetic company, its necessary to know about the customers, their choice.
Being aware of basic customers needs is an important thing as this will give the
advantage of convey message.
 It helps the company to understand the body language of their customers, as every
customer use different body language to convey their message (Burnes, Hughes and By,
2018). Some are tend to speak loudly and some are speak softly as they belongs from
different countries or religions.
 Communication is the key to success for the firm, because company operates its business
internationally it becomes more important due to language barriers.
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 Understanding different cultural backgrounds is beneficial for internal and external
stakeholders of the company. It helps Lush cosmetics Ltd. for transfer the information to
its different cultural employees and stakeholders.
 Cultural awareness helps Lush cosmetics to reduce the chances of making bad decisions
and increases the chance of making considered decisions.
 It helps company to promote its product into the different market, every country has
different language, different religions that makes people dissimilar from each other. It helps firm to solve customers queries in their own language, understands their
preferences, taste, region value, standards. It increases firm's self awareness, developing
social skills, and behaviour around diversity and gaining the ability to understand
dissimilar external or internal stakeholders.
Influence of politics- Organisational politics indicates the agenda of individuals in the
company without without any concern to impact the objective of company to achieve the goals
(Connolly, Lang and Tygar, 2018). It is a process which is related to self-serving human
behaviour and their interactions which involve authorises and power. Organisational politics
impacts the behaviour of individual as it may give feeling of having low position in the
organisation by which the performance of that individual can be less productive and ineffective
in nature. Where as the impact of politics on the team behaviour and performance of Lash
company can been seen with the disputes in coordination between them, as every person may not
handle politics in same manner. So the company should use positive politics in their organisation
so the employees of company does not feel pressurized. Positive polities can help the company to
motivate employees and encouraging them to retain in the organisation for the long period of
time. Thus company can use positive politics in order to retain the employees of the company,
and make the loyal employees.
Influence of power- Organisational power can be defined as the behaviour which is used
to influence other people in the company. The leaders and senior members use power which
defines the culture within Lush enterprise, they need to analyse there powers and understand
what strategies would help help the employees in achievement of goals. With power the
individual behaviour and performance can be impacted. In chosen company leaders use rewards
which motivate employees and ends up with more productivity (Tokay and Eyupoglu, 2018).
Were as the team behaviour and performance also gets impacted as they work according to the
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set strategies and impress the leaders who can give rewards which would make the team work
with more efficiency. There are different powers that the mangers of Lush Cosmetics Ltd, can
use to influence the behaviour of their employees within an organisation is explained below:
 Expert power: This power refers to the abilities and capabilities of individual in the
organisation in an specific area of preference that helps in effectiveness in the particular
work. This power helps in influencing others and motivating them to increase the level of
their performance in order to get this power within an company. Lush Cosmetics Ltd, can
use this power for motivating their employees to gain specific expert power in the
company.
 Reward power: This power is based on the excellent performance of the individual in
their daily work. Reward power is used by the organisation in order to influence the
individuals to work effectively and efficiently so that they can achieve the power of
reward in the company. Lush Cosmetics Ltd can use this power for motivating and
encouraging the employees of the company so that they can improve their performance in
order to gain this power.
 Information power: This power refers to the capabilities and ability to provide
appropriate information in order to done task or the activities of the company. Lush
Cosmetics Ltd, can use this power to gain appropriate information about the all the
activities that has been done in the company and external information that help in
functioning of the company.
 Coercive Power: This power refers to make someone do something against their
willingness, this power usually adopt by the company to punish the employees for non
compliance. This power should not use by the Lush Cosmetics Ltd because the
employees of the company may feel uncomfortable or pressurized in the company.
Evaluation of how of the relationship between culture, politics, power and motivation that
enables teams and organisations to succeed.
In the context of Lush Cosmetics power, culture and politics help the organisation to motivate
and influence the employees of the company for the better growth of workings and achievement
of goal and objectives of the company. Use of appropriate power in the organisation helps in
increasing the level of motivation of employees and influence them for the better performance
within an company. Whereas use of appropriate culture helps the employees to understand the
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needs and expectations of the company from the employees. Lush Cosmetics can use power
culture to motivate and influence the employees of the company and also make them work for
the better success in the company. On the other hand use of positive politics in the company can
help in effectiveness of their growth and retain the talented and skilled employees in the
company. It also help in enhance the performance of the employees.
TASK 2
P2 Evaluation of theories of motivation and motivational techniques which enable effective
achievement of goals in organisation.
Motivation refers to a desire which has the power of simulating an individual towards the
achievement of a goal (Maheshwari and et.al., 2017). This is quite useful because this initiates an
individual to move towards the achievement of the desired goals in a highly effective manner. In
Lush Cosmetics, the managers make the use of these theories so that they are able to effectively
motivate individuals towards the achievement of goals.
There are different theories of motivation. These are as follows-
Content Theories- These are the theories which are quite helpful in the determination of
identifying what motivates the people. They have been given by Maslow, Alderfer, McClelland
and Herzberg. In Lush Cosmetics, the use of Maslow's Need Hierarchy Theory is made to
motivate the employees so that their productivity level can be enhanced.
Maslow's need hierarchy theory-
This theory states that the human needs can be of different types (Pathak and Srivastava,
2017). They are explained as follows-
Physiological needs- They are some of the most basic needs of the human beings which
have to be fulfilled for survival. Therefore the management of Lush Cosmetics is required to
concentrate on fulfilment of these needs. In the company employees have their basic needs such
salary, reward etc. these needs should be fulfilled in order to make them motivate for better
performance and retain them with the company. Employees of the company feels motivate when
they are given an appropriate remuneration for the work there are doing for the company and
help them to achievement of goal and objectives.
Safety needs- These needs are related with safety and security of the individuals. The
managers of Lush Cosmetics is required to ensure that they are fulfilled so that employees stay
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motivated. Company can provide job safety by making their employees permanent according to
their performance and abilities this could help employees to stay motivated and enhance their
performance for the company. They can provide insurance, health insurance and other safety
security so that employees can trust the company and retain with them.
Love and belongingness needs- These needs are crucial to be fulfilled because an
individual needs love and belongingness to remain motivated. The management of Lush
Cosmetics is required to identify the right way of fulfilling these needs. They can help the
employees to feel free in the organisation so that they can make better connections within in
company, also they could feel motivated when they have healthy working environment in the
company.
Esteem needs- These needs are important because they are concerned with an
individual's dignity and reputation. Therefore, the managers of Lush Cosmetics is required to
fulfil them which will enable them to be motivate the workers with more efficiency and
effectiveness. Self esteem is an important factor that can influence the performance of the
individuals within an company. So that company can give various rewards and freedom of the
employees of the company according to the performance and skills of their employees. Thus self
esteem is important factor that can influence the performance of the employees and motivate
them for better performance in the company.
Self-actualization needs- These needs are quite important for a person because by
ensuring their fulfilment full potential can be realized effectively. Therefore, in the context of
Lush Cosmetics it is important that they can be fulfilled so that the challenging goals and
objectives can be attained by the workers. Also company can give promotion or other
achievement rewards that help them to motivate the employees of the company and give them
position where they can feel recognised and fulfilment of the potential.
Thus maslow's theory of needs helps the company to understand various needs and expectations
of the employees so that they can fulfil those needs in order to make them motivated and
influence them for the better growth of company.
Process theories- These theories are required to explain the reason due to which the
behaviours can be initiated. Skinner, Vroom, Adams and Locke have given the Process Theories
(Singh and Rani, 2017). In Lush Cosmetics, the use of Vroom's theory is made so that they are
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able to ensure that the workers remain highly motivated towards the achievement of goals and
objectives.
Vroom's theory-
This theory states that behaviour is a result of conscious choice among the various types
of alternatives. In Lush Cosmetics it is used so that the company is able to motivate its workers
in the right manner to help in the achievement of their goals and objectives. There are various
variables which are present in this theory. These variables are as follows-
 Expectancy- It means that with an increase in efforts the level of performance can be
effectively enhanced. Therefore the management of Lush Cosmetics should focus on
increasing their efforts so that the goals and objectives can be attained.
 Instrumentality- It means that by performing well a valuable outcome can be attained
effectively. Thus it is required from the managers of Lush Cosmetics that they must put
its focus on it so that they are able to motivate their workers in order to attain the desired
outcomes effectively.
 Valence- It refers to the importance which a particular individual places on a particular
outcome. In the context of Lush Cosmetics, it is quite crucial that its management is able
to motivate its individuals in the right manner so that they are able to attain their
outcomes by placing the required importance on them.
Thus, company can use this model to enhance the performance of the employees and motivate
them towards the better achievement of goals and objectives. This theory also helps the company
to understand the various needs and wants of their employees for the better achievement of goals
and objectives. Company is foucing on the achievement of the objectives and goals and these
theories helps in motivating the employees of the company so that they can help the organisation
in better achievement of their current and future growth. Company is foucing on expaning its
business in more countries and the various goals and objectives of the organisation can not be
fulfiled without the hard work of their employees. So the company can achieve more success in
the market when they use accurate motivation techniques.
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TASK 3
P3 Explanation effective team opposed to an ineffective team.
Effective team can be characterised as the group of people who have ability of setting
personal prejudices aside ans has willingness to work with group responsibilities. Effective team
has defined purpose to work, have set expectations and they monitor and review there work on
time bases (Eloquin, 2016).
Ineffective team is made up of individuals who do not want to mix up with other members
of team, or who do not work with necessary skill set to perform their work. An ineffective team
can be conflict-ridden, people may have distrust on each other, unfocused over the work and
have negative competition.
Effective team: There are various points that can define effective team in the organisation.
 There is clarification and modification of goals in team to get the best possible match
between the goals of individuals and goal which organisation wants to achieve.
 The communication is open and honest within such team and individuals do build on
each others ideas and they have conversations inside as well as outside the formal
meetings (Holmgreen, 2020).
 In an effective team people can express their feelings and ideas being free with the fact
that the other person will listen or not.
 The leadership of leaders is formal as the leader functions with shift from time to time
bases which depend on different circumstances and control is not an issue for leaders.
Ineffective team: below are various characteristic of ineffective team in the company.
 The teammates of such team accept obligatory games were goals are competitive so that
every member can strive to perform better than others.
 A very few people in such team dominate discussion, listen to each other and the message
are mixed which creates confusion in minds of people.
 While in an ineffective team personal feelings are kept hidden as people have feeling that
it would be inappropriate to have such discussions and other people will start avoiding.
 The leaders are dominate of each team and leader may pressurize, establish norms for the
group and leads with own values and systems which has to be followed by team
members.
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The teams which work in Lush company are effective and productive at the same time.
The leaders only inspects the members and they work with full efficiency and according to the
set standards of company. The people in team have soft and hard communication which means
the are not gap in communication, they share the feelings and thoughts they have for each other.
All members in team are co-operative with each other through which the work can be carried on
smoothly (Katou, 2017). Team members do not have competition with each other as it may not
help in achieving the goal of organisation on time.
The leaders of Lush company can use Bruce Tuckman's Model which can help them in
development teams performance and behaviour. This model helps in understanding different
stages which help in development of a team with work. The following are four stages of this
model:
 Forming- It is period of orientation and getting familiar with the organisation. It is a
stage where people get to know each other within company (Machin, 2019). As it is the
first stage, people working in Lush company avoid conflicts and behave nicely with each
other as they want to get accepted with group.
 Storming- When people start feeling comfortable they start pushing their boundaries to
set up the team in forming stage and conflicts may begin to erupt the work of term. The
role of leader at this stage is to make sure that all members of team have clear view of
their responsibilities and tasks which will keep them on track.
 Norming- At this stage team members agree to the plans, timelines and who will
contribute in that plan is decided according to their skill set. At this stage the role of
leader of Lush organisation is to help the team to come up with decisions which can be
implemented for team and complete their tasks.
 Performing- At this stage the team starts working in stable manner and their goals are
clear enough. Performing team gets the work done with the use of minimal supervision
and conflicts. The leader at this stage motivates and ensures that they are working
competently to get things done.
 Adjourning- At this stage the team wrap ups the task which was appointed and team
breaks up at this point. It is difficult step as team members enjoy the routine. While the
leader can help team members by helping them plan their futures.
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Thus this theory helps the company to analyse the various stages from which they can make an
effective team for the company. That can help the company in the better achievement of gaols
and objectives.
TASK 4
P4 Application of concepts and philosophies of organisational behaviour within organisation.
Organisational behaviour determines the human behaviour in working environment and
its impact on the structure of job, performance, communication and other factors of company.
Lush company which deals with hand made cosmetics is going to organise an event for lunch of
its new product line for which the leader has made teams who will handle all tasks (Madhukar
and Sharma, 2017). For the application of such concepts looking at the situation, Lush company
can apply Path Goal Theory which can improve the performance and productivity of people in
organisation. This model is based on the leadership styles or behaviours which fits beast for the
employees and working environment which focuses on achievement of goals of organisation.
The goals helps in the leaders to increase motivations of employees and their satisfaction level so
that they become productive element of company. This theory has no detailed process but it is
followed by basic steps which are as follows-
 Employee's Characteristics- The attributes like experience, satisfaction level, anxiety,
etc. all these can be found in the employee's of enterprise for which leaders have to adopt
styles of leadership accordingly (O'Connor, 2018)(Olsen, 2018). According to the
situation of Lush company as the employees are cooperative and have coordination with
the team, this is because the leader always made them work in such a way that they have
interaction with each other.
 Environmental Characteristics and Tasks- The event which would be organised by the
company may have obstacles like the design of task may differ, system with formal
authorities. The focus of this theory is to overcome these obstacles. If they become too
strong then the leaders have to step in with the work process and help employees in
selecting the path to carry on the work.
 Selection of leadership Styles- After having a look at employee's characteristics and
environmental characteristics, leader of Lush organisation needs to select the style which
would suit the best on the situation. For the event of new product line launch, the leader
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can select directive leadership style. By adopting such style the team members can be
informed about the exceptions by conducting such an event. The tasks which needs to be
performed by the different members can be cleared (Rezaei, 2019). This style also be
effective because their will be less uncertainty in the fulfilment of activities. Employees
can be assigned the duties according to their capacities as skills which will make their
work for the event more effective and productive.
Thus, by adopting path goal theory for new product line event, leaders can easily assign the
duties to people which will give effective work to the company. But it is important for the leader
to adopt right leadership style which will help him in getting the work done and failing in the
same would affect the event directly. By adopting an accurate leadership style helps company to
achievement of gaols and objectives of company.
CONCLUSION
From the project report it can be concluded that organisational behaviour gets affected by
many factors. There is influence of culture, power and politics on the behaviour and performance
of individuals and teams of organisation. Various motivational theories like Maslow's need
hierarchy theory and Vroom's theory which are used by company to motivate the people working
in the enterprise. Where as Tuckman's Team Development model is used to develop the
individuals. Lastly, the organisations chooses Path-goal Theory of leadership with which the
leader gets to select the best style which suits the working environment.
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REFERENCES
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Tokay, Ö. and Eyupoglu, S. Z., 2018. Employee perceptions of organisational democracy and its
influence on organisational citizenship behaviour. South African Journal of Business
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Veloen, M., 2016. The influence of paternalistic leadership on organisational commitment and
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