Organizational Behaviour: Google's Culture, Power, Teams - HNBS 312

This report analyzes Google's organizational behaviour, focusing on its culture, power dynamics, and motivational strategies. It explores organizational culture through the lens of power, culture, and politics, linking these elements to models like Raven and French's power model and Handy's culture framework. Various motivation theories, including goal-setting and Maslow's hierarchy of needs, are examined in the context of Google's employee engagement practices. The report also differentiates between effective and ineffective teams and applies organizational behaviour concepts to real-world situations within Google. The reflection section provides personal insights and recommendations for enhancing Google's organizational practices, including career development programs and employee freedom of speech. This student assignment is available on Desklib, a platform offering study tools and resources.

Organizational behaviour

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
PART-1............................................................................................................................................3
Overview of the organization......................................................................................................3
Analyses of organization culture, politics and power.................................................................3
Presenting theories and techniques of motivation in context of google......................................5
Reflection....................................................................................................................................6
PART 2............................................................................................................................................8
Difference between effective and ineffective team.....................................................................8
Applying the concepts and philosophies of organizational behaviour........................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION.
The study of organizational behaviour helps the firm in analysing how people interact
within different groups at specific places. The present report is based on Google that is
multinational technology company that is specialized in the providing the internet related
services to large number of people all over the world. Further, the report will analyse the
influence of culture, power and politics on the organization along with certain theories of
motivation that influence the individual performance and behaviour at the workplace. Moreover,
the study will identify the difference between effective and ineffective team and will also analyse
the importance of relevant team through using various theories. Lastly, various concepts of
organizational behaviour in particular situation will also be discussed in detail.
MAIN BODY.
PART-1
Overview of the organization.
Google is the multinational American company that is specialized in providing various
products and services that includes online advertising, internet related services and much more .
It allows the user to search information on variety of areas so that data could be gathered in the
most efficient manner without many efforts (Fenwick, 2021). Apart from the data there are
several google owned websites such as you tube and blogger that is most popular among the
people across the globe. Other than these other services other most popular are google video,
gmail, books, earth, apps and chrome, google+ etc. Moreover, the company is active in
connecting large number of diverse groups at one place through offering those specialized
services that are not available on one single platform. Further, it is seen that google has
introduced various facilities that are according to the current digital innovation in the country.
Along with this it also known for providing best of facilities to the employees so that better work
culture and environment could be developed.

Analyses of organization culture, politics and power.
The organization culture is the mixture of various elements that are available at any firm
that provide certain guidelines through which the work could be carried out in most effective
manner. Further it can be described in well-defined manner through below contents that are as
follows :
Power : It is defined as control, authority and influence over certain group of people
through which the individual has the capacity to change certain ideas and thoughts. Moreover, it
is very important that power is exercised in the right manner so that work can be carried out in
smooth manner (Gillam and Cosford, 2021). Also, the right amount of power gives the direction
to all other employees at the workplace so that productivity could be maintained. Further, this
element could be linked to Raven and French model that has described the power on the basis of
5 aspects such as reward, expert, referent, coercive and informational. Based on this it can be
said that one that would be best for the google would be reward power that would allow people
to work in the best manner if found that some benefits or rewards are associated with
accomplishment of certain tasks. Also, under this the individual is influenced by observing other
people achievements when praised for carrying out the extraordinary work. Thus, here people are
able to follow the rules that are laid by the employers and allows them to follow the instruction.
For example: The individual is able to work in bests manner if he/she is promoted, given bonuses
or praised in large groups through any prizes or gifts that would help to accomplish certain tasks.
Culture: It is defined through the environment that allows the people to work in certain
conditions. Also, it defines the way for other to live the life that is generally accepted by other
people in societies (Taylor, 2018). It includes social norms, religious beliefs, traditions, social
standards etc. that is followed by certain group of people. Also, google company follows the
culture of openness among the workers so that innovation and creativity could be enhanced even
while working in the diverse groups. Further, this concept could be linked to Charles handy
culture that include elements like power, task culture, person culture and role culture. Also, for
google it can be said that the best suited would be role culture where each employee is delegated
some kind of role and responsibilities according to their field of specialization so that best of
outcomes could be achieved in specific time period (Odor, 2018). Further, position is the main
element in this as people hold power according to the position that they are being placed in. For

instance : The big UK retail banks are deriving power from the positional authority that allows
them in setting clear responsibility and authority for each employee that are working under them.
Politics: It is related with set of activities that are linked with making decisions in form of
groups and developing other relations with the public. Also, it can be said as study in which
country is governed. The politics is part of every organization through which certain rules and
regulations are laid down and followed by diverse groups. This could be understood through
positive and negative political theory. Further, if firm has too much of politics than there would
be only negative information and high level of demotivation among certain employees. On the
other hand certain amount of politics allows the individual to accomplish certain organizational
goals and build cooperation and coordination (Anning, 2018). For example : Positive politics in
the form of complementing others and portraying the professional image helped google company
making dedicated workforce that focus on the happiness of the employees.
Presenting theories and techniques of motivation in context of google.
Motivation is very important element in any firm as it helps in giving reason for doing
something so that best could be performed according to the willingness of the employees
(Forssell, 2020). Also, it is seen that motivation is not a forced thing as it comes naturally from
inside of the employees. Moreover, it is derived from unsatisfied need that creates tension and
drive it to ways that could fulfil its needs. In company like google motivated employees tends to
solve complex problems in the most efficient manner. Furthermore, motivation could be
classified on the basis of two types such as process motivation theory and content based
motivation theory.
Process motivation theories :
It means that motivation is behavioural process that guides the person to act in particular
way. Further, It identifies the impact of particular need that changes the behaviour of the person
at certain point of time. Also, It based on several theories such as expectancy, equity, goal setting
and reinforcement theory (Khaola and Rambe, 2020). Moreover, for the company like google it
can be said that goal setting theory is best suited for google as it means that specific and
challenging goals are developed for the employees that will contribute in better performance in
the future. Also, here the confidence among the employees is gained through achieving one
specific goal that is challenging and realistic. Thus, according to this concept quoted firm will

develop ideas and goals that would allow each individual to enhance the skills and improve the
critical thinking power that will ultimately help the firm in overcoming certain challenges.
Content based motivation theory:
Unlike process theories content based theory focuses on identifying what are the needs of
the individual that would help in increasing the motivation of the individuals. In various
organizations' manager needs to closely identify such needs of the employees so that
organization goals could be achieved in the best manner. There are various theories such as
maslow need hierarchy theory, Alderfer ERG theory, Mc Clellands achievement and Herzberg's
two factor theory (Attree, Kumar and Singh, 2020). The one theory that is been applied in the
google company for increasing the motivation among the employees is Maslow need hierarchy
theory where needs of the employees are classified on the basis of physiological needs that
includes basic needs such as clothing, shelter, food and water. After, these needs are satisfied
than is safety needs that includes protection against the theft, emotional stability and well-being.
Next in this belonging needs that includes family and friendship bonds that are fulfilled through
the social groups that are developed at the workplace (
The 5 levels of maslow hierarchy of
needs, 2021) Next is esteem needs that is based on acknowledgement and respect from others.
This could be further in the form of rewards and appreciation that are given by supervisors to the
employees. Last in this is self actualization needs where the quoted firm motivates the employees
through developing skills, promotions, incentives etc. Thus, through closely identifying all levels
of the employees the quoted firm is able to inspires the individual to achieve goals in best of
manner.
Reflection.
From the overall points that have been discussed above I have gained insights that every
organization have certain rules and policies according to which the behaviour of the individual is
defined. Also, in the company like google that is operating on large level it is very essential that
power, culture and politics are handled in the most suitable manner so that certain challenges
faced by the company could be overcome in the easiest way Moreover, I have analysed that
google follows the best culture to keep all employees happy and satisfied such as creating the fun
environment, encouraging more creativity among individuals, adopting open communication
policy and much more. Thus, I have identified that this type of policy has helped the company in
becoming successful in the market among the rest others. Furthermore, I have identified that

through adopting the cultural innovation, the firm was successful in ensuring that all its products
are developed according to industry standards and are also involved in the technological
development (Naz and et.al., 2019). However, in my opinion it is to be suggested to google
company that it should develop more of innovative career programmes that would allow
individuals in increased learning along with helping them through providing support in
specialized functions.
Also, I have analysed that company have exercised the politics in good manner so that
work could be accomplished on time. Further, it has not made the firm like other typical
corporate culture where employees are not having the healthy work environment. It has rather
made the fun workplace where the individual is able to acquire and share knowledge. However,
I have analysed that while working in such environment the company is not allowing the
employees to speak on certain topics that are controversial or related to politics at the workplace,
Thus, this might reduce the freedom of the employees apart from the quality work that is being
delivered. Thus, in my opinions such powerful control should not be exercised by the
management towards the employees, and they should be given some rights to speak on the topic
that are for greater concern for the firm.
Furthermore, I have found that appropriate level of motivation is crucial for all the
employees that are handling new challenges each day and solving complex problems for the firm
(Raharjo and et.al., 2019). Also, through above analyse I have known that google practices the
best motivation practices through taking into consideration old theories of motivation that helped
the firm in achieving certain targets in most efficient and effective manner. Also, it has helped
the firm in creating employees that are more productive, creative and devoted. Moreover, I have
understood that the ultimate goals of the firm is enhanced the productivity of employees through
motivation it is important the firm should give rewards and training to employees based on the
current performances. Also, I would recommend the firm that instead of hiring, training and
recruiting new employees the firm should emphasize more on rewarding and appraising the older
employees so that skills could be enhanced and all the tasks could be completed on time without
wasting much time and cost on the fresh talent.

PART 2
Difference between effective and ineffective team.
It is seen that all the objectives of the firm could be achieved only when efficient teams
are developed at the workplace so that employees feel more engaged and able to handle all the
obstacles. Also, after analysing results of any tasks the teams could be classified into effective
and ineffective teams that are classified as below:
Particulars Effective team Ineffective team
Goals The goals that are developed
are well understood and
accepted by all the team
members.
In these teams things are
difficult to understand. Also,
group tasks are not interpreted
in right manner.
Member contributions They have lot of discussions
and there is active
participation of each member.
Here one of member of team
dominates the discussion and
provides certain points for
validation.
Listening Members of the group are
active listeners and every
opinion of person matters
(
Effective vs ineffective teams,
2021)
Here most of the people ignore
the ides that are given by
others and hence considered as
poor listeners.
Conflict resolutions Establishing proper
coordination and cooperation
group solves all the conflicts in
the best manner.
When there is any kind of
disagreement than it might
lead to open warfare where
chances of resolutions are very
low.
Decision making Most of the decisions are made
after the general approval of
all the members of the group
Premature decisions are taken
before the real issues are arisen
or examined.

Furthermore, it can be said that effectiveness of the team could be identified through the
Belbin team roles that describes the individual as resource investigator that are considered as
outgoing and enthusiastic, team worker that are considered as cooperative and perceptive,
coordinator that focuses more on team objectives and are considered more mature and confident.
Others are plant where person tends to be highly creative and good at solving problems, monitor
evaluator where person is more strategic and judges all options in accurate manner (Shah,
Khuhro and Bakari, 2021). Last in this team role is specialist where person is more single-
minded and dedicated. Thus, a combination of all that would allow the google to build the most
effective teams that would solve all the problems in most efficient manner. Also, teams are
considered as more productive when each opinion of individual are valued so that better teams
could be developed in the future. However, lack in identification of proper roles by team
members would only create problems for the other people that are working in the groups.
Applying the concepts and philosophies of organizational behaviour.
The major goal of organizational behaviour is to predict human behaviour in any firm so
that employees could be motivated and better inter-personal relationships could be developed in
the organization. Further, this type could be understood better through the Tuckman team
development theory that analyses way team handles the task starting form the formation till the
project is being completed (Oyetunji-Alemede, Omole and Oladundoye, 2019). Moreover, it
defines the team on the basis of five stages such as forming, storming, norming, performing and
adjourning. In the first stage all the team members come together to accomplish a particular tasks
through clearly identifying the team goals and objectives. Next stage is storming where all the
team members have the own ideas and opinions on certain points and after lot of discussions the
team relies on one or two members opinions that is called as norming stage. After norming stage
all the members of the team are motivated and confident so that final goal could be achieved.
Last in this theory is adjourning that means once the task is achieved than team is dismissed.
Hence, this theory helps in understanding that teams grow through defined goals and objectives.
Furthermore, the behaviour of the individual is also defined through the hard and soft skills. The
hard skills are measurable activities such as reading, writing, maths etc. while soft skills includes
employee communication, listening and getting involved with large number of people.
Moreover, it is seen that in organizations behaviour philosophies there are four elements
that are very important such as people, structure, technology and external environment. Through

closely understanding these elements on how they interact with each other certain improvements
could be made in the best manner (Salas-Vallina, Alegre and Fernandez, 2017). Also,
management of any firm runs on five major theories that are autocratic, custodial, supportive,
collegial and system. Moreover, to understand the organizational behaviour concept in detail it
can be linked to the leadership theories that are made to understand how the managers carry out
the work in any particular situations and what are the techniques that are used for motivating,
directing, guiding and managing various groups of people. Furthermore, in this regard I think
path goal theory is favourable as it states that individual behaviour is determined through certain
expectations and outcomes that are associated with any kind of tasks. Hence, according to this
theory if tasks does not have any reward or results than individual feels demotivated and less
interested thus avoid taking any kind of responsibilities. However, if more appreciation and
rewards are there than individuals are ready to take more challenging and complex tasks that
would further help in personal growth and development.
CONCLUSION.
From the above report it can be concluded that understanding organizational behaviour is
very crucial in managing large number of people. Also, the report had analysed role of factors
such as culture, power and politics through using various theories in context of multinational
company Google. Moreover, the study had also identified importance of motivation through
using concepts such goal setting theory under process motivation theory and maslow motivation
theory based on content based motivation that would help the quoted firm in achieving difficult
task in the future. Furthermore, personal reflection had also been presented under this report so
that final recommendations could be made for future improvements in google. Moreover, the
report had compared the difference between effective and ineffective team along with detailed
understanding on the philosophies of the organizational behaviour through using the Tuckman
and path goal theory of leadership styles that would help management in making better decisions
in the future.

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