Organisational Behaviour Report: Sports Direct International Plc

This report provides an in-depth analysis of organisational behaviour, using Sports Direct International Plc. as a case study. It explores the influence of organisational culture, office politics, and power dynamics on individual and team performance. The report delves into various motivational theories, including Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and Hertzberg's Two-Factor Theory, evaluating their effectiveness in achieving organisational objectives. Furthermore, it differentiates between effective and ineffective teams, highlighting key attributes that contribute to team success. The report also discusses the application of concepts and philosophies of organizational behavior within the context of Sports Direct, offering insights into how these principles can be applied to enhance employee performance and overall organizational effectiveness. The analysis covers topics such as power structures, role cultures, and task cultures within the organisation and their impact on employee behaviour. The report also offers an overview of process theories like expectancy and equity theory, and how these theories impact the firm's outcomes.

Organisational Behaviour

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................3
LO 1.............................................................................................................................................................3
P1. Influence of organisational culture, politics and power on the behaviour and performance of
individual and team.................................................................................................................................3
LO2..............................................................................................................................................................5
P.2 Different motivational theories and their effectiveness in accomplishing of objectives of firm........5
LO 3.............................................................................................................................................................6
P.3 Difference between effective and ineffective team which helps in making effective team..............6
There are lot of differences between effective and ineffective team. They are-.....................................6
LO 4.............................................................................................................................................................8
P4. Application of concepts and philosophies of organizational behavior...............................................8
CONCLUSION.............................................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Organization have many staff members who can perform different functions and activities to
achieve goals and objectives. Management can give proper and correct directions to all
employees so that they can perform in better manner. For getting successful in the market,
company’s managers have to keep an eye on behavior of all the employees ( Ali, 2010). This is
important for maintaining good communication and a level of coordination among the workers
and their teams. Sports Direct International Plc., a British retailer group was founded by Mike
Ashley in 1982. The organization is considered as one of the largest goods retailer of sports in
the whole UK with over 670 stores in the whole world.
In this report , organizational culture, office politics, power and its effect on the
functioning of the staff as individuals as well as in teams, motivation to the employees to achieve
their targets and making of effective teams are explained.
LO 1
P1. Influence of organisational culture, politics and power on the behaviour and performance of
individual and team
Culture
Sports Direct International Plc. Is a worldwide service providing retail organization. The
company only deals in sports products and it is regarded as the biggest retailer of UK. It has 670 stores
all over in the world. For the company to be successful, it becomes the duty of manager to adopt a
certain culture which is necessary for making better teams and to ensure removal of politics in office
(What is organizational behaviour, 2017).
Organizational culture involves values and practices which should be followed by the employees
while doing their work. It becomes essential for developing the social and psychological environment.
Norms, vision, systems, assumptions, vision, language, location, environment, belief and habits are some
factors included in this culture. The company comprises of the following four types of culture:
 Power culture: It involves distribution of power between the workers in the firm. This has a
huge effect on the relation between workers and departments of the organization. This ensures
that employees perform their tasks on the basis of the power given to them. Effective
channelization of the power is necessary for the performance of the workers as individuals as
well as in teams that lead the company towards growth.

 Role culture: Each of the workers in the company has different role to play according to their
strengths. Manager of Sports Direct International Plc. has the job to assign roles to all the
employees. This removes confusion of any sort among the employees. This increases the
productivity of the firm and reduces the repetition of functions (Al-Zu’bi, 2010)
.
 Task culture: The manager of the organization has his main focus on the development of teams
which help in finding solutions to complex tasks and targets. Benefit of this culture to the firm is
timely identification of the problems and their solutions to improve the functioning of the
employees and their teams (Ayyagari, Grover and Purvis, 2011).
 Person culture: Manager of the company also has the task to help each and every employee and
support them to develop their skills and become more professional at their jobs. This keeps the
workers motivated so that they can perform their best and have better coordination with the
management.
Politics
Organizational politics involves informal effort to sell their own ideas, influence the firm, increase
power and achievement of other goals. This is done by the workers of the company to better their image
in front of the top management. This proves to be a demotivating factor for the workers at Sports Direct
International Plc. This prevents the hard working employees of the company from getting the appraisal
they deserve. The effect of politics in office on individual and teams is as follows:
 Reduction in productivity: Because of office politics, non deserving workers attain higher
positions. This will have a great effect on the performance of the workers which will decrease
the overall productivity of the company.
 Effect on concentration: Politics in office changes the behavior of employees and they become
more involved in using false tactics to reach higher position in the company. As a result workers
become less concentrated on their work and make mistakes. This leads to the whole team being
affected negatively and hinders their ability to complete their tasks in the given time.
 Increases stress: Politics in office causes stress to be increased upon the hard working
employees as they are not getting the appraisal they deserve for their contribution. This creates
a feeling of distrust among the members of a group and the communication process. As a result
lots of problems remain unattended in the company and thus the overall performance of the
team is affected.
Power
Power is all about having the authority (Baum, Frese and Baron, 2014)
. The person possessing power in the company can affect other employees and their behavior with the
control over resources. Power should be rightly used so that employees get the right guidance and
perform their best. The types of power possessed by Sports Direct International Plc. are as follows:

 Legitimate power: It is the power possessed by the employee because of the higher position in
organization. The power to control the subordinates is more with higher position of the
individuals. This improves the functioning of the employees to get higher positions in the
company.
 Coercive power: This kind of power gives the authority to an individual to punish other workers
upon non achievement of targets. This kind of power has a negative effect on the workers. As a
result the overall productivity of the firm also decreases. ( Coccia and Rolfo, 2013).
LO2
P.2 Different motivational theories and their effectiveness in accomplishing of
objectives of firm
Various motivational theories which are applied by Sports Direct International Plc. This includes process
and content theory. Content theory means the factors which are three in all individuals and which can
affect behavior of all persons. It includes identification of various needs through which increase zeal and
motivation of all staff members and improves performance of staff members. To achieve this needs
management manager uses various motivational theories which are given by Abraham Maslow and
Hertzberg 2 factor theory 2 theories which are important to enhance performance of all staff member
(Three Main Theories of Motivation, 2017).
Maslow’s Hierarchy theory: Main emphasis of this theory is to determine different needs of all persons
and safety of all needs. Needs are diversified and classified into 5 categories. They are from higher to
lower. After satisfaction of lower needs, all staff members are satisfied with satisfaction of their higher
needs. Maslow’s different needs are explained below:
 Physiological needs: It includes needs which are basic of staff members such as water, food, air,
clothing and shelter. These are basic things that are expected by each staff members. All
workers are huge enthusiastic and motivated of these needs are fulfilled.
 Safety needs: It includes various measures and steps in firm for retention and safety of all staff
members. They have to secured against various risks. For example job safety, health protection
and financial security.
 Social needs: It includes various needs such as care, affection ,friendliness and friendship. They
will be taken as high and much importance in firm. Through this there is development if all
employees. Hence it leads to getting and success of all staff members.
 Esteem needs: There are two types of needs external and internal. Internal esteem needs
include self respect, freedom and self respect. External needs include diffferent needs such as
recognition etc.
 Self actualization needs: It includes need for self satisfaction and growth. Al staff members have
high potential so that they can improve their knowledge so that they performance can be
improved and they can accumpo0kihs their goals.

Hertzberg 2 factor theory: It includes 2 factors which are hygiene and motivation. Through this it can
enhance the motivation level of all employees (DeChurch and Mesmer-Magnus, 2010).
Hygiene factors: It includes different factors through which all staff members can be motivated. Due to
absence of these factors it can create dissatisfaction among all employees. Hence these factors are
known as maintenance factors. Hygienic factors are physiological needs through which al staff members
wants that they can be fulfilled. These factors can be explained below:
Pay: Salary which is according to work.
Fringe benefits: Various benefits which are given to all employees such as health care, help programmes
etc.
Status: Maintaining high reputation and image in organization (DeChurch and Mesmer-Magnus, 2010).
Process theory: It includes different theories which helps to explain different ways through which firm
can change itself. It helps in contribution of existing skills in staff members. Through this all staff
members can easily accomplish their goals and they can perform better. They also gives goods results.
Various factors are explained below: Theory of expectancy: It means willingness of staff members while
they are performing various functions of firm. If they are willing they can perform better and can give
superior results. Through thus firm can earn more revenues.
Setting goals: All staff members main objective is to accomplish their goals. So they are have clear
understanding and knowledge that they have to accomplish their goals.
Theories of equity: It has main focus on performance of all staff members. For this they treat all staff
members equally and gives the equal pay so that they can perform better. Through this there
enthusiasm level increases and thus they can give best results.
Theories of reinforcement: It includes behavior of staff members if they are working in their profession.
Through this all errors easily identified and hence it can improve performance of company. Hence firm
can earn more revenues and thus they can increase their reputation in market.
LO 3
P.3 Difference between effective and ineffective team which helps in making
effective team
There are lot of differences between effective and ineffective team. They are-
Attribute Effective team Ineffective team
Working environment Working environment in
effective team is
comfortable ,informal and
relaxed.
Ineffective team have
environment of stress, stiff and
tension etc.

Discussion There is a debate and a
discussion in which all staff
members are dedicated and
focused. They all have equal day
in decisions related to firm.
There are different teams in
which there is a process. Team
members are not focused.
Listening Encourages participation of staff
members in teams.
They take various decisions and
they have many distractions.
Various teams and their importance:
Team members have high knowledge and potential related to their job role and other functions and
provides these functions in accomplishing of different goals of firm (Haslam and et.al., 2014). Sports
direct international Plc. is retail firm which provides different functions in various parts of country.
Different section work in a team and they gain many benefits (Hershcovis, 2011). This includes positive
and friendly working environment, behavior which is supporting, no issues and conflicts in firm. There
are various teams which have various other functions. Thus various teams and their importance in
Sports Direct International Plc. are described below:
Functional teams: They are formed in a team in which firm has to perform and achieve a particular task.
Each staff members have various roles towards their work. Manager can give various directions to staff
members so that they can perform well.
Importance: Through an effective and efficient team tough problems and issues can be solved. This
directly improves performance of the firm. Through this cost and time of firm by proper utilization of
resources.
Problem solving team: These teams are effective and efficient and thus it helps in solving all issues and
problems. They give direct solution to all members. They can also create plans and strategies related to
future. Through this all staff members can perform better. It results in accomplishment of all objectives.
Hence problems cannot arise in future.
Importance: Helps in determining of all problems and issues and give response so that all staff members
can give goods results.
Virtual teams: These types of teams are interconnected to each other using technology. Members of the
team do not have any sort of face to face interactions. To do their tasks and discuss with other team
members they have to use technology. These teams perform their tasks and interact with all members
using the help of video conferencing.

Importance: Virtual teams have a huge importance for the companies that are operating on a worldwide
basis. To share ideas these teams use video conferencing and perform functions. Sports Direct
International Plc. manage their functionality in different nations using these kind of teams.
Project team: These kinds of teams are built for the completion of a specific important project of the
company effectively. According to the requirement of the projects the members of project team are
selected. This helps the organization to complete the projects effectively (Huang and Bond, 2012).
Importance: The importance of these teams lies in completion of huge projects before the given time
limit and attains competitiveness in market. These teams are very effective and members are skilled.
Factors which make effective teams
Management of Sports Direct International Plc. keeps in mind the following different factors
to make efficient teams:
Communication: Communication between the members is a very important aspect to be considered
while making good teams (John, 2010)
 . Communication is really important for sharing of ideas effective discussions and relationship
between the members. All the members are given certain roles in the team through efficient
communication channels. Members of the team are distributed roles that are best for the
team’s working
 Stability: In a team the members are supposed to be stable and not interchangeable. It is
important for increasing the team chemistry and as a result improves productivity of the team.
Stability of a team is crucial from the company’s point of view.
 Team size: For making efficient teams the size of teams should be kept in mind. Generally small
and medium sized teams have better coordination and bond among the members.
LO 4
P4. Application of concepts and philosophies of organizational behavior
This concept defines activities that are executed by seniors or top personnel’s to acknowledge
and get information about employees behavior towards job and corporation. It helps management
to organize tasks and process in respect to goals and objectives. Along this superiors are able to
keep workforces directed and inspired by establishing good relations with members. This tactic
is applied by administration to execute things effectively and efficiently. Thus these are two
aspects which are part of organization behavior which are discussed below:
• Nature of people

• Nature of organization
Nature of people: This element specifies qualities and traits that staff members have, thereby
influence their working. Management prime duty is to understand characteristics which workers
have in respect to assign them duties. This helps them to utilize manpower by giving them tasks
and activities in according to their skills and abilities. In Sports Direct International Plc., seniors
have accurate information about characteristics of members which benefit them to accomplish
targets timely and prosper with time. These are various factors which have negative impact on
functionality of organization are stated beneath:
• Biases of manager: Superiors are partial and have biasness in respect to workforce which is
created due to their performance and nature of people. This effects on work of employees as all
want to have good position and recognition in firm (Joseph and Newman, 2010).
• Perception: All individuals working in enterprise vary with each other in respect to qualities,
skills and abilities. Workers have different opinions which influence on their thinking process
and activities (Kulik and Olekalns, 2012).
Nature of organization: This component includes objectives and aims which are formed by
executives to organize business operations and utilize resources to generate adequate profit for
business. This are also formulated by seniors to define nature of enterprise to other members.
These are various components which helps management to understand and depict functioning of
system properly are described below:
• Social system: Firm constructs relations with consumers in respect to providing them items and
services in respect to their needs and wants. For this, management require to conduct market
research to acknowledge information about requirements of public. Thus, these are two system
which are used by them are as follows:
- Formal: Maintain good team of members which are competent and providing them
departments to function tasks for organization.
- Informal: Constructing friendly relation of superiors with staff by providing them appropriate
information in respect to their duties.
• Ethics: This tactic defines moral, norms, values and belief which administration want to be
followed by workers.
Path goal theory: This concept defines working pattern of leader and its behavior towards

employees to make them function in proficient way. Organization require to have positive
working environment which helps management to keep members dedicated and motivated
towards job by giving them information about roles and responsibilities. This helps superiors to
empower people in respect to their capabilities and satisfy them, thereby make them effective
and efficient. These are various stages which are part of this approach are defined beneath:
• Environmental characteristics and workforce abilities are determined by seniors.
• Implementation of best leadership concepts and theories in respect to traits and features of
employees ( Owings, W. A. and Kaplan, L. S., 2012).
 Directive: It specifies activities performed by superiors to provide duties and targets to
members in respect to their skills and knowledge.
 Supportive: Leader construct relations with staff members which help them to provide
appropriate guidance and instruction in respect to duties that are assigned to them by seniors (Lee,
Kim, and Kim, 2013).
 Participative: Superiors require to involve members in decision making process which help
administration to take appropriate judgment and keep them connected with firm.
 Achievement orientated: Management provide targets and challenges to staff to enhance their
abilities and make them effective.
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the above report that keeping an eye on the working of employees
is a major aspect for the company for the achievement of goals in the given time. This is also important
for solving various issues like cultural differences and politics in office. Management of Sports
International Plc. are given opportunities to form efficient teams and improve the company’s
productivity. For building efficient teams some factors like good communication, stability of the team,
good leadership, etc. come into play. Motivational theories need to be implemented by the leaders of
the firm for increasing the passion and dedication of workers towards their targets. Company has to
maintain a good office environment by removing office politics. It also has to adopt good work ethics
and culture to accomplish the desired goals by.

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