Analysis of Organisational Behaviour: Amazon's Culture and Motivation

This report provides an in-depth analysis of organisational behaviour within Amazon, examining the influence of power, culture, and politics on individual and team performance. It explores Handy's culture model, Hofstede's dimensions, and different types of power within the organization. The report delves into content and process theories of motivation, including Maslow's hierarchy of needs and Herzberg's two-factor theory, to understand how to effectively motivate employees. Furthermore, it contrasts effective and ineffective teams, highlighting the importance of team dynamics and cooperation. Finally, the report applies concepts and philosophies of organisational behaviour to achieve business goals and objectives, offering insights into Amazon's approach to leadership and management.

ORGANISATIONAL
BEHAVIOUR

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK1 ..........................................................................................................................................3
P1. Organisational power, culture and politics influences the individual and team
performances...............................................................................................................................3
TASK2 ..........................................................................................................................................6
P2. Content and process theories of motivation..........................................................................6
TASK3 ..........................................................................................................................................8
P3. Effective team as an opposed to an ineffective team. .........................................................8
TASK4...........................................................................................................................................11
P4. Apply concepts and philosophies of organisational behaviour...........................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCE.................................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Organisational behaviour is the process of examining the behaviour of human beings and
their relationship with the organisation. Therefore, it has direct relation with the understanding,
predicting and controlling the behaviour of human beings. Organisation undertaken in this report
is Amazon which has initiated its business from 1994 and deals in cloud computing, e commerce
and many other digital and software related industries. This report will concentrate on the
influence of the culture, politics and power o the behaviour of others in an organisational
context. This will develop various measures in order to develop motivation in individuals and
teams and various goals in order to accomplish them. It will also demonstrate and understanding
of the manner in which the individuals need to cooperate with others. The last part of the report
will concentrate on applying concepts and philosophies of organisational behaviour in order to
accomplish business goals and objectives.
TASK1
P1. Organisational power, culture and politics influences the individual and team performances.
Organisational culture is concerned with the core philosophy, assumption, standards and
conduct of exchanges which contributes to the distinctive social and physiological atmosphere of
an organisation. The success of the business enterprise is largely dependent upon the culture of
the organisation. Good and effective culture creates a roadmap for accomplishing business goals
and objectives whereas bad culture can adversely affect the company and leads to poor
performances and attitudes of the team and individuals.
Therefore, the culture of the Amazon will have a strong influence on the team and
individuals. This is because the good culture has a strong emphasis on communication which is
very important in present business scenario. It helps in making clear individuals and teams with
the respective goals and vision of the company so that they work in accordance with it. The
organisational culture can further be understood by using Handy’s culture model.
Handy’s culture model
Charles Handy has developed the culture model in the year 1932 which depicted the four
different types of culture which must essentially be used by the organisations.
 Power culture: This type of organisational culture is concerned with the belief that under
this, the power of taking decisions and other important elements remains with the few

individuals working in the organisation and not every member can take decision. These
individuals are generally of senior position in an Amazon and enjoys a credible
privileges. In such culture, the co workers and supervisors have to follow the order of the
superiors and performs the actions accordingly. Apart from this, the organisations who
adopts this culture will have the capability to rapidly adopt the contingent events of the
business atmosphere.
 Task culture: This type of culture is concerned with when different types of teams are
build to accomplish the desired objectives or tasks of the company. In this, individuals
and other experts works together in order to accomplish business goals and objectives by
solving the reliable problems. Apart from this, every team member works with their best
level and have equal contribution in order to achieve the targets. The primary motive of
this culture in an Amazon is to accomplish business motives by getting the work done as
per the requirements.
 Person culture: Under this type of culture, the importance and value is given to the
employees rather than organisation. In this, the employees gives themselves most
importance and they do their work only for the purpose of getting money, they have no
other interest or attachment with the work.
 Role culture: Under this type of culture, each and every member working in the
organisation has certain type of roles and responsibilities which are assigned to them by
taking into consideration their skills, qualifications and capabilities of performing the
work.
Power is the ability of the individuals and teams in order to perform the actions such that
they can meet with the business goals and objectives. In other words, it is related to the power of
influencing others in order to do something. These powers are of different types which can be
practiced in the Amazon in order to accomplish business goals. The following are the various
types of power discussed below:
 Coercive power: This power is related to the forceful actions in which the individual or
team is forced to do something. Under this, the idea or purpose is to force people and let
them do something which they are not favouring to do by letting them go against their
potential. This type of power is abusive in nature and can leads to improper and
dissatisfaction working atmosphere.

 Reward power: This power is concerned with providing reward to the individuals and
teams for the work performed by them. It is one of the most important and commonly
practiced power because this will motivate them to work more harder to accomplish
business goals and objectives. It provides rewards in form of financial and non financial
aspects like incentives, promotions, transfers, etc.
 Legitimate power: This type of power is based on formal documentation in which the
one owes the power over another person. It usually can be seen between the superiors and
sub ordinates where the subordinates have to perform each and every action which is
required by the superiors.
 Referent power: This power is concerned with imitate where one or many person tries to
follow or copy to the famous persons of the organisation whom they adore and treats
them as their role model. This type of power when any individual is highly influenced by
the superior person or leader of Amazon and follows their foot steps in order to achieve
higher position and becomes like them.
 Expert power: This kind of power is practised by individuals who poses specialised,
expert knowledge, qualifications and skills. Theses individuals have the power to use
such knowledge and skills which is not easily available and can rule the company and
other members according to their terms and conditions.
Organisational politics are concerned with different types of strategies and environment
which influences the interest of individuals and team members within the organisation. Politics is
always remains in every kind of business enterprise and it has a strong influence on the
organisation behaviour and performances of the teams and individuals. Those employees, who
are not willing to work harder, they create negative politics in an Amazon where people are
distracted and their concentration is lost which can affect the organisation negatively by reducing
the overall productivity of the company and this can also demotivates the employees which
further creates a stress on the organisation. Apart from this, employees who are indulge in wrong
politics passes wrong information through which people get unfair image of the company. Thus,
this will affect the goodwill and reputation of the company as well.
Hofestede's dimension
This is the culture model which was developed by Geert Hofstede in 1980 and the focus
of this model is to study and examine the different cultures across countries and the manner in

which the business is done between different countries. The model has defined and analysed the
six different categories which defines the culture in a more suitable manner. Therefore, Amazon
will take into consideration the different factors through which the culture can be describe. These
factors are power distance index which takes into consideration the level of tolerance of power
and inequality among individuals. The other one is collectivism v/s individualism where Amazon
will concentrate on whether the culture of the company is focused towards meeting personal
goals or organisational goals. The other factor is uncertainty avoidance index where the company
takes into consideration the unknown or unexpected events and the manner in which they are
handled. The masculinity v/s femininity factors are those which considers the attitude, behaviour,
characteristics, etc. for the tough and soft people which ultimately describes the culture. Long
term orientation v/s short term orientation is another factors that focuses on time frame and
stresses that whether the culture of the Amazon is thinking towards short term needs or future
growth and long term success. Indulgence and restrain is concerned with the extent and tendency
through which societies can control their desires.
TASK2
P2. Content and process theories of motivation.
Motivation is a very important factor in present business world because employees needs to
be motivated on regular basis due to the increasing competition in the present business world.
Motivation is the power of influencing others in order to accomplish business goals and
objectives. It is the urge of an individual and team to work effectively and efficiently in
accordance with the business goals and objectives. When people remain motivated then they
work with their full potential and capabilities through which business goals can be accomplished.
Content and process theory
Motivation is considered as one of the key drivers of every organisation success and
enhancement as it enable company to maintain a better relationship between employee and
employer in order to acquire increased level of proficiency. Along with this, it is directly linked
with individual performance that gain firm potentiality and as a catalyser for all employees
enhance their performance for completing the task in a better way. Hence, motivational theory is
classified into two division such as content and process. Each of them has unique roles and
purpose that influence firm to obtain maximisation of profit with an optimum utilisation of

resources. However, content theory is mainly focus on internal factors that energize and direct
human behaviour as it explains the necessities and requirements which is essential to motivate a
person. ON e the other hand, process theory outlines several behavioural patterns of personnel in
fulfilling their demands and requirements. Each of them consist different types of theories which
is explained below:
Content Theory
It involves Maslow Hierarchy of needs, Herzberg two factor, Alderfer ERG theory etc.
which provide proper direction to superior for accomplishing business objective. However,
Amazon applies Maslow need theory of motivation to their business operation which is
explained below:
Physiological need:It is one of the basic or survival requirement of every individual like
food, clothing, shelter etc. Thus, Amazon manager should be very sensitive and provide fair
reward so that manpower can fulfil their requirements in a better way without any hindrances.
Due to this, it directly impact over Amazon's proficiency as it improve its overall performance.
Safety needs:It involves job security, health, safe working environment etc. that generate
a better relationship between superior and subordinate. Hence, Amazon leader build stable
physical and emotional working atmosphere a swell as render a provision of benefits, pension
that helps them to sustain within workplace and longer duration and it enhance Amazon volume
of sales.
Self esteem need: This consist achievement, recognition, accomplishment, satisfaction
etc. that brings a better working condition in company. However, Amazon's manager takes
initiative to examine each manpower potentiality and appreciate them by giving extra benefit,
memento, prize etc. that bring positive attitude among personnel and it benefit Amazon in terms
of sustainable profitability ratio.
Social needs:It encompasses belongings, love, affection as well as relationship with
family or friends etc. which impact enterprise productivity. Hence, Amazon manager build a
healthy relationship with employees so that they can put their best effort for an accomplishment
of company objective.
Self actualisation need: In this, each personnel seeks for a drastic growth in their
employment career as they acquire innovative or creative method in order to expand firm's and
individuals development.

Herzberg theory of motivation
The Herzberg theory of motivation is based on two factors which has the influence on
motivation level of individual in the organisation. The author has divided the theory into two
factors where one is motivator factor which enhances the ability of the individuals to work with
full zeal and confidence while another one is hygienic factors which does not encourage or
motivate individuals to work for the accomplishment of business goals and objectives. The
factors which motivates the employees of an Amazon are achievement, recognition,
advancement, growth, etc. The factors which does not motivate them includes the poor policies
of the organisations, bad working atmosphere, lack of safety and security, etc.
Process Theory
It includes VROOM expectancy theory, Adam's Equity, Goal setting theory etc. Hence,
Amazon implies VROOM approach to their company goal that is described below:
Valence: When dangling potential performance of manpower, Amazon leader ensures
that the reward which is offered to them is actually valued by employees. Thus, firm pay
increment or bonus to personnel which motivate them to provide their best performance from
company's success.
Instrumentality: It signifies probabilities attached by an individual to each possible
performance outcome alternatives and manpower beliefs or expect that their performance will
lead to particular desired reward that bring high level of motivation.
Expectancy: It is an idea that increasing amount of effort which rises performance. Thus,
Amazon provide right resources and assign suitable responsibilities to its personnel that
encourage them to attain high level of sales growth and profit margin.
Goal setting theory of motivation
The goal setting theory of motivation was developed by Edwin Locke in the year 1960.
this theory is concerned with establishing a link between the goals and task performances. This
theory provides clarity of goals which will help the employees in leading the company to the
higher position. This motivation theory further helps in improving the performances of the
employees by facing and completing the challenging tasks successfully.
Thus, Maslow need theory is more suitable for Amazon as it can easily be applicable in
every field that enable them to achieve their task in an effective and efficient manner. This
theory is most effective because it will identify the different need requirements of different set of

employees because every employee does not want respect, some wants to satisfy the basic needs
and requirements while other have other needs. So therefore, this theory is the best and most
suitable for Amazon to motivate the employees.
TASK3
P3. Effective team as an opposed to an ineffective team.
Team is a group of two or more individuals who work together in order to accomplish
business goals and objectives. When people work in team than the organisation is able to
generate more productive and efficient results because different skills and capabilities are mixes
together. In an Amazon, the team has been formed for the new product which is being produced
by the company in near future. While devising team, the employees are facing various different
problems like difficulty in communication, conflicting interest, lack of proper skilled people, etc.
Developing and building team is not sufficient in an Amazon, it also needs to be managed and
handled with proper care and effectiveness.
The effective team is one where people are well aware of different roles and
responsibilities and clear set visions in accordance of which they are required to work. Effective
team is able to work properly in team by managing the conflicts and focuses on building team
spirit, it has different team members where each members poses certain skills that will help the
team in achieving the targets. There is a proper channel of communication through which people
can easily communicate and clear all their doubts. Whereas, the ineffective team is one where
each team members gives more importance to their view points and have higher level of conflict,
lack of coordination and communication which leads to failure in accomplishing business goals
and objectives. Furthermore, the ineffective team does not have set priorities and delegation of
work.
Tuckman team theory
The theory or model of tuckman was developed by Dr. Bruce Tuckman in the year 1965 and
the model is focussed towards the development of the team. The Amazon will use this model
because it has four different stages which will enhance the development of the team. This model
examines the maturity and ability of the team members, establishes relationships and leader
adopts different leadership styles in order to maintain the effectiveness and efficiency of the

team. The following are the four stages through which Amazon can develop effective team for
producing new product:
 Forming: Under this stage, the team members of the Amazon are highly dependent upon
the leader so that they can be guided and trained in order to accomplish business goals
and objectives. Because, at this stage team members have little or no idea about the future
actions, so they remain quiet and polite. And the leader in this stage plays a vital role
where they communicate the mission and vision of the company to the team members
and also delegates the work by taking into consideration the skills, qualifications and
potential of each team members so that they will be clear with different roles and
responsibilities which are required to be performed by them.
 Storming: This is next step in the model where different team members work together
and faces several issues and problems. At this step, majority of the team give up and fails
to attain the business goals and objectives. This is because conflict arises between the
team members and different working style can also create the problem of frustration and
irritation.
 Norming: In this step, the team enters into the next higher level where the team members
begin to understand each other view point and solve the problems and conflicts so that
they can work effectively together. People become highly committed towards the
attainment of business goals and objectives where they work for the better success and
progress of the organisation.
 Performing: This is the last step in the model where the team performs the decided
actions. In this, the team and team members are fully aware of the business goals and the
manner in which they are to be achieved. The team has higher degree of autonomy and
the team members looks after each other and provide proper feedback.
Belbin theory
Developing and building team is not suitable until and unless it is properly managed. The
Amazon, team members can accomplish business objectives only when the team is properly
managed and have clear roles and responsibilities. The Belbin theory is developed by Dr.
Meredith Belbin where the focus of the theory is given on managing the team members and each
team members is required to perform different roles. The Belbin theory has explained the 9

different kind of roles and each roles describes the different behaviour of the team members
which will help the Amazon in managing the team and these roles are discussed below:
 Implementer: The role of implementer in the team is to convert the plans into action by
taking forward step of initiating. This person is highly organised in their work and
actions, have superior level of professionalism, down to earth, disciplined, hard working
and goal oriented who works for the accomplishment of business goals and objectives.
 Resource Investigator: This person is highly extrovert in nature and is highly
enthusiastic, open minded, adventurous. This person is accountable for bringing new and
innovative ideas to the organisation and are developing suitable contacts with the
outsiders.
 Plant: This is the person who thinks creatively and critically and solves various difficult
problems in the organisation. This person forecast and predicts the future so that proper
plans can be made in order to deal with contingent events and occurrences.
 Monitor: This person is thoughtful, sensible and critical where they properly examines
the different situations of the businesses and asks several questions and answers the same
and the judgement of this person is never wrong.
 Shaper: The shaper is a person who performs the role of looking and analysing different
challenges of the organisation where time frame are set for different business activities
and goals are required to accomplished.
 Coordinator: The role of coordinator is to look after the organisations and needs of each
and every person. This person easily trust the other members of the team and they also
emphasis on creating utility and taking tough decisions.
 Complete finisher: The role of complete finisher is to always take care that nothing goes
wrong and if some thing went wrong then they take proper and appropriate actions. In
this, the person is involved checking and revaluating the different details and information
again and again so that no problem can be faced.
 Team worker: The role of team worker is the most crucial and sensitive one where they
emphasis on developing and managing suitable atmosphere and sense of togetherness.
Furthermore, they work effectively for creating and enhancing team spirit and
togetherness.

 Specialist: The role of specialist is to provide expertise knowledge and skill into work so
that business goals and objectives can be attained. These specialist are very limited and
leads the organisation to the higher level.
Thus, it has been recommended that for proper accomplished business goals and objectives,
it is very important for the Amazon to concentrate on Tuckman and Belbin team developing
and managing model so that they can work well in team and produces more productive
results.
TASK4
P4. Apply concepts and philosophies of organisational behaviour.
Path goal theory
The Path goal theory is based on the approach or model where the focus is given on different
leadership styles and their behaviour which fits best with the employees and concentrates on
accomplishing business goals and objectives. The primary motive of this theory is to maximise
and boost the morale of the employees so that they become the most productive people of the
business enterprise. In an Amazon, leader can use this theory because it does not contain any
detailed or large process and has three different steps under which the first step signifies the
employee and environmental characteristics, then leadership style and lastly, the theory emphasis
on different motivational factors through which the employees can be succeed in the
accomplishment of overall business objectives. According to this theory, leaders are highly
flexible in nature and adopt themselves easily with changing needs of the businesses.
 Leadership behaviour: It is generally concerned with the behaviour of the employees
where the behaviour of the leader is based on certain needs and requirements. The
behaviour of the leader is such that they provide proper direction, support, highly
participative and goal oriented towards the business enterprise.
 Task and environmental characteristics: The main focus of the path goals theory is to
beat the hurdles and problems which are coming in the way of organisation. If any of the
problem becomes strong barrier then role of leader is to guide the employees in selecting
the appropriate path through which business goals can be attained. They design task, have
formal authority systems and proper working group through which they provide proper
team spirit and devotion to all the team members.

 Focuses on different motivation factors: The theory has a strong emphasis on
motivational factors because such factors helps in influencing employees so that they
work properly and effectively in order to attain business goals and objectives. By
providing proper motivation, the leader will be able to make people work harder with
their full potential so that business goals and objectives can be attained.
Therefore, the leader of Amazon will adopt situational leadership style because under this
style, the leaders are able to properly adopt themselves with the changing business environment
and can use different leadership styles which will fit the best. For instance, when the Amazon
was facing problem of different environmental factors like during economic crises or period of
recession, the leader will use autocratic leadership style in order to quickly deal with the
changing business market. While when the political stability is there in the country, then leader
of Amazon will adopt democratic leadership style so that they can attain the attention of the sub
ordinates while taking decisions and they will also feel motivated and part of the company.
For this, the leader will also adopt different motivational factors in order to make people
work with full potential and capabilities. For meeting this business situation, the leader will
adopt the Maslow motivational factors where they will identify and analyse the different needs
and requirements of employees and tries to motivate them by fulfilling them. Apart from this, the
company will focus on both financial and non financial factors where the leader will be
responsible for providing financial motivation to the employees who work for money like
incentives, bonuses, etc. whereas non financial motivation to those individuals who are more
concerned with the factors which boost their internal morale and enhance their learning abilities
like promotions, transfers, etc. By adopting these factors, the Amazon’s leader will be able to
develop a proper plan through which they can apply the team development and management
theories. With the help of these theories, the company will be able to build effective team. The
company will use Tuckman and Belbin models because it emphasis on team spirit and makes
individuals towards goal oriented. With the help of this, there will be proper focus on
communicating continuously with the team members so that they will know that what has to be
done and how the target is to be achieved. The culture places a strong emphasis and Amazon will
adopt the Handy's culture model because this helps in depicting the different types of culture
which are better for the organisation.

CONCLUSION
From the above report it has been concluded that organisational behaviour is one of the most
important element for business organisation. If there will be good and proper atmosphere and
culture then this will influence the organisation in a positive manner. The culture, power and
politics play a very significant role in influencing the behaviour of individual and performances.
The team is given more importance and the effective team is one where there is a proper
communication and coordination among the employees. The Belbin and Tuckman models are
used to demonstrate the development and management of the team. Motivation is another
important term where the individual places greater importance in order to influence individuals
and teams in order to accomplish the business objectives.

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