Organisational Behaviour: Culture, Power, and Politics at WalMart

This report provides an in-depth analysis of organisational behaviour, using WalMart as a case study. It examines the influence of culture, politics, and power on individual and team performance, highlighting how these factors affect employee behaviour within the organisation. The report explores different cultural aspects, including power, task, and role cultures, and their impact on employee satisfaction and motivation. It also delves into the negative effects of organisational politics, such as demotivation and decreased productivity, and discusses how management can mitigate these issues. The report further analyses the different types of power, including legitimate, reward, referent, informational, and expert power, and how they are applied within WalMart to guide employee performance. Moreover, the report assesses how process and content theories of motivation are used to achieve business goals and objectives, focusing on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and its application to employee motivation. Finally, the report explores the factors that contribute to effective and ineffective teams, providing a comprehensive overview of organisational behaviour principles in the context of a real-world business environment.

Organisational
Behaviour

TABLE OF CONTENT
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1 Examine how culture, politics and power can persuade individual and team behaviour and
performance............................................................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P2 Measure how process & content theory achieve goals and objectives of business
organisation............................................................................................................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
P3 Examine what makes a team effective and ineffective.....................................................9
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
P4 Apply various philosophies and concepts of organisational behaviour in context of
organisation..........................................................................................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13
Books and Journals...............................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Organisational behaviour is the interaction between firm as well as employees in order to
perform ask and activities in an effective manner. There are different functions like
understanding, anticipating as well as controlling the behaviour of an individual person within
business organisation (Kitchin, 2017). This assignment is carried on the company named as Wal-
Mart. It is the international retailing firm which is located in Bentonville, Arkansas, US. This
company was founded by Sam Walton in the year of 1962. They deal in different variety of
products such as footwear, jewellery, clothing as well as furniture and many more. In this
assignment, how cultural, power and political factor enforces direct influences on profitability of
business organisation. In addition to this, there are different theories and concepts which are
adopted by company in order to offer positive atmosphere at marketplace. It helps them in
increasing productivity as well as efficiency level of business organisation. And also, it enhances
the success and growth of company in an effective manner (Paull and Whitsed, 2018).
TASK 1
P1 Examine how culture, politics and power can persuade individual and team behaviour and
performance
Organisational behaviour is the process of study and application of behaviour of an
individual person in order to assess their performance level at workplace. In addition to this,
organisational culture involves ethics, values, morale as well as attitude which are acquired by
the company. There are different ways of performing work in every business organisation in
order to accomplish goal and objective in stipulated period of time. In addition to this, the
manager focuses on stimulating the confidence level of staffs in order to provide positive
environment at workplace (Salas-Vallina, Alegre and Fernandez, 2017). In context of Wal-Mart,
the supervisor provides wide range of products as well as services to its costumer in order to
satisfy them. Therefore, how culture, politics and power imposes direct impact on performance
level of organisation which is going to be mentioned below:
Culture
There are various kinds of culture and heritage which is adopted by different company at
marketplace. It enforces both favourable as well as adverse influences on the behaviour of an
individual person within business organisation. If the manager provide equal treatment to all

subordinates that helps in enhancing satisfaction as well as motivational level of staff in order to
offer positive atmosphere at workplace (Gkorezis and Petridou, 2017). On the other hand, some
business organisation does not give opportunities to its employees in order to express their
opinion and views. And also, the manager does not take suggestion of its staff for taking decision
which will be beneficial for success and growth of company. Therefore, it decreases the
satisfaction level of employees at workplace. In reference of Wal-Mart, there are various types of
culture which is used by top management which is given beneath:
Power culture: According to this culture, it is vital for all subordinates to comply rules as
well as regulations within business firm. In addition to this, there is several staff and superior
who take decision for success and growth of organisation. And the subordinates are judged based
on their level of performance. This culture is adopted for taking effective decision at workplace.
Task Culture: Herein, the manager builds a team in order to perform different task and
activities in an effective manner. It helps them in resolving the issues and problems related to
project at workplace (Alvesson and Spicer, 2016).
Person culture: In person culture, it is the involvement of person who performs their
different task and activities for similar business organisation.
Role culture: This culture is depending upon several rules as well as regulations. These rules
are rigid and every person knows their duties and roles within business organisation.
Therefore, it is vital for Wal-Mart to provide favourable atmosphere to its subordinates in
order to increase their level of performance within business organisation. In addition to this, the
manager must provide rewards, incentives and appraisal to its staff for increasing their
motivation at workplace.
Politics
Politics is considered as a process which is created by some employees of business firm.
The primal purpose is to distract the employees who give their full efforts in performing different
activities and functions in an effective manner (Waterson, 2018). Due to politics, it imposes
negative effect on productivity as well as efficiency of business organisation. There are different
factors through which staffs are affected which are going to be discussed below:
Demotivation of subordinates: In some situation, the staffs who get involved in inner
polities are apprised by supervisor of business organization. And the individual people who give

their full efforts in performing their work get demotivated from such an activity if the manager
does not give those rewards as well as incentive based on their performance at workplace.
Productivity is decreased: The employees who take part in inner politics and do not provide
attention to its work results in reducing the productivity within business organisation. Therefore,
it is not possible for company to achieve goals in stipulated period of time.
Ambience is spoiled: Organisational politics generate adverse atmosphere within business
organisation. Non-performing staffs who take part in making fun as well as abusing others
imposes adverse impact on productivity. This, it is not easy for business firm to accomplish
objective in given time period (Brankovic, 2018). In discourse to Wal-Mart, the supervisor of
company must emphasise on reducing politics which occur within business organisation. It
reduces efficiency as well as profitability level at workplace. In order to avoid such kind of
nuisance activities, it is vital for manager to provide satisfaction level of employees.
Power
Power is the aptitude of an individual person to provide guidance for performing their
work accordingly. The supervisor of Wal-Mart provides instruction to its staff in order to
achieving goal and objective of business organisation (Alleyne, 2016). There are various
activities and functions which is performed by manager in respect of HR, finance as well as
marketing for taking decision in an effective manner. In addition to this, there are different kinds
of power which is given to superior of Wal-Mart which is discussed below:
Legitimate power: According to this power, the manager provides instruction to its
employees in order to perform specific task and activities in an effective manner. It helps
them in achieving organisational goal and objective in short span of time.
Reward Power: Herein, the superior of company provide rewards, incentives and
appraisal to its employees based on their performance. It increases satisfaction and motivation
level of staffs at workplace (Osei Osei-Kwame and Osei Amaniampong, 2017).
Referent Power: It involves that power which helps in attracting individual person as
well as maintains trust and loyalty in them.
Informational Power: In this power, the individual person possesses information related
to strategies and tactics which is adopted by competitive firm. It aid assistance in taking effective
decision within business organisation.

Expert Power: This power arise when individual person have information as well as
knowledge related to particular field of business as well as market (Sathiya, 2019)
There are various powers which are given to its supervisor in order to tackle the
performance level of employees at workplace. In addition to this, they assess the need of staff
members as well as provide instruction to them. In context of Wal-Mart, the manager adopts
reward power strategy. They give rewards, bonuses, appraisal as well as incentive to its
employees in order to increase their motivation level at workplace.
TASK 2
P2 Measure how process & content theory achieve goals and objectives of business organisation.
Motivation level of employees is described as the intensity of dedication, creativity as well
as assurance which must be available in subordinates of business organisation. Therefore, it is
vital for supervisor to encourage subordinates for achieving the efficiency level of organisation.
There are various methods which are adopted by Wal-Mart in order to motivate subordinates for
accomplishing goal as well as objective of business organisation. Apart from this, it is the
responsibility of top management to coordinate different task and activities in an effective
manner. There are various theories as well as philosophies given for motivating employees at
workplace. Apart from this, they assess the requirement and need of an individual person in
order to boost their satisfaction level within business organisation. There are two kinds of
motivation like extrinsic as well as intrinsic motivation which is adopted by business firm. The
advantages of this motivation offers positive atmosphere at workplace (Kujala, Lehtimäki and
Pučėtaitė, 2016).
Intrinsic Motivation Extrinsic Motivation
It is described as the motivation which arises
from inner need of an individual person and
they do not add some additional efforts. It is
the type of motivation which will be
advantageous for business organisation.
Whereas, this kind of motivation which occurs
through external drives such as money,
bonuses, power, incentive as well as rewards
and many more.

Motivational Theories - There are many motivational theories which formed by various
management scholars in sequence to motivate individuals as well as staff members working
within the organization. It is important for employees to work with positive attitude to analyze
the ability of individual at work (Wan, 2016). There are many philosophers who create
successful motivation theories to analyze the attitude of employees at work and to identify which
thing motivate employees to work hard for the company. The theories which adopted by
manager of Walmart in sequence to encourage or motivate their staff members are given below –
Maslow’s Hierarchy Theory – This motivational theory is developed by very famous
philosopher of America Abraham Maslow. Maslow’s hierarchy theory is presented in 1950’s.
This theory contains usually five steps. All the steps provide satisfaction to individual as per the
theory explain. The manager of Walmart encourage or motivate their employees by fulfilling
their needs and wants because it is important for an organization like Walmart to encourage their
if employees are fully motivated then they support the organization with full dedication. The
main motive of Walmart’s manager is to motivate their employees with whom they are able to
attain organizations goal in effectively and efficiently. The steps involved in Maslow’s hierarchy
theory of need is explained as under –
Physiological/Basics needs – The first stage include basics needs of employees. This
involves all the basics psychological need of an individual like food, shelter, water, air and
cloths. The basics requirement of employees is fulfilling by an organization through paying them
a basics amount as a salary. The basics need of employees fulfil by companies to motivate or
encourage them in an effective way to reaching the goal of business organization. Walmart
always take care of their employees and time to time analyze the requirement of employees and
try to fulfil it in approachable manner.
Safety and security needs – The next requirement of individual or employee is their
safety and security every one wants to live safe and secure life. This stage involves financial
security. This includes that employee need safety and security in job and employee feel safe in
the organization when he/she receive good amount of salary. Walmart fulfil their workforce
financial as well as non financial requirements by paying them. Walmart give some advantages
to their staff members like job security, medical insurance, and various other benefits with this
employee feel secure and safe and give his/her best for the organization.

Social Needs – Basics and safety needs of employees is fulfil then it comes to social
needs, after fulfilling both above mention need individual or employee try to fulfil social needs.
As per Maslow individual or employee requires social life which includes friends, society and
relatives. An individual need this for peace of their mind and for social gathering. Walmart
provide friendly working environment to their employees this motivate them. All employees
work together for an organization and to motivate their employees socially companies organized
parties and small get together which encourage employees towards their work.
Esteem Needs – According to this point employees or individual want high self-esteem
and self-respected in the organization or society. In the organization if manager want to
encourage their staff members, they have to respect them at work. Self-respect is feeling by
employees within the organization when they recognize by their leader or manager. Self- esteem
is earned by employees or individuals themselves by doing hard work and gives their best.
Self-actualization needs – this is the final stage of Maslow’s needs theory; this includes
self-fulfilment or requires fulfilling what an individual considers to be in their life. This involves
accepting one’s potentialities for regular or time to time self-development and being innovative
or creative at work. After all, above needs fulfilled them individuals or employees have desire to
reach personal achievements (Kretsos and Livanos, 2016).
Vroom’s Expectancy Theory–This theory is proposed by Victor S. Vroom. This is new
theory of motivation as per which individual or employee is motivated to reach certain
objectives, which they expect from their action. This theory easily identifies key variable in the
procedure of motivation. This theory is proposed with the aim to motivate individuals at work.
There are three elements of Vroom’s theory which is discussed below-
Valence – this element shows the strength of individual or employee preference for a
particular result. The other elements related to valance are value, incentives and expected utility.
It varies from people to people. Walmart analyze the employee’s level of motivation with the
help of valence. Valance with expectancy determine the level of motivation force that leads to
get first level outcome. Valence might be positive this includes high expectancy efforts of
employees will lead to the desire level of performance and satisfy employees to high motivation.
Zero valences this is with any level of expectancy but this leads to employees in different
condition. Negative Valence this valence always results into negative motivation. Walmart

effectively works on expectancy valence to get successful outcome and want to motivate
employees at their level expectancy.
Expectancy – It is the chance or probability that a defined action will result into defined
first level outcome. Expectancy might be high or low it depends on individual or employees.
High expectancy with positive valence leads to strong motivation to work. This represents
relationship between employees’ efforts and their first level outcome. Walmart’s manager
believes that there is high probability that their employees will able to learn things and fulfil
company’s objectives (Loosemore and Lim, 2016).
Instrumentality – This represents the degree to which the first level outcome will lead to
the desired second level outcome. It might be zero, low or high. High degree of instrumentality
wit positive valence and high expectancy, leads to strong motivation or encouragement to
employees’ action. It shows the relationship between t the first level outcome of employees and
second level outcome. Walmart conduct training program which indicates that employees
learning the training material and fulfil the objective which set by manager of Walmart this give
high instrumentality to employees.
Behavioural theory
Social cognitive theory explains the experience or actions of another individual person
as well as the environmental factors which imposes direct impact on the behaviour of an
individual person. There are various components which is included in the social cognitive theory
that is going to be mentioned below:
Behavioural capability herein the manager of organisation focuses on understanding the
skill or knowledge of individual person in order to perform their work.
Expectation here in the main motive of the individual person is to consider the outcomes
that are due to the change in behaviour of individual person during the particular phase of time
period.
Self control it is necessary to control or regulate the behaviour of an individual person
which is necessary to consider in order to performing different work in pre-decided period of
time. It increases the productivity as well as performance level in future period of time.

TASK 3
P3 Examine what makes a team effective and ineffective.
Team refers to group of people work together in sequence to achieve the goal of particular
project within the organization. There are two types of teams formed in a business organization it
can be effective team or either ineffective team. Effective teams always help the organization to
attain their goals in proper manner and within the available time frame. Ineffective team is
formed within the organization automatically and this team may affect the company’s image or
reduce the production in negative way. Company’s always try to form effective team which help
in increasing the production in effective manner. Both the teams effective and ineffective is
discussed below –
Ineffective Team – This team is formed without having any objective or aim. The members
of ineffective team were not aware with the objective or goals of company. In ineffective team
there is always chance of conflicts and issues which affect directly or indirectly to the progress of
the company. Effective teams this kind of team is formed with motive or purpose to attain
companies’ objectives. The members of effective team are work with positive attitude and have
strong potential to achieve the goal of organization on time. Walmart always focus on forming
effective team which easily achieve their goals or objectives and increase their production or
expand their sales.
Tuckman Theory of team development
Bruce Tuckman is the founder of this theory in 1965. He formed this theory to manage
the team effectively in an organization (Kang and Lee, 2017)
This model refers to team management this shows that team will be of talented
employees and with common objective to achieve. Tuckman theory include five stages of
development of team are explained below –
Forming – this is the first step towards team development. At this step there are various
tasks or activities which staff members have to perform like gathering data or information,
planning and controlling. Staff members come together and get time to know each other and to
work together.

Storming – After formation of team this step is came in existence and team members
start sharing their activities and tasks and start talking to each other and sharing ideas to
accomplish the objective of the project. At this stage there is high chance of conflicts.
Norming – At this stage team members perform together on their tasks or objectives on
which team members agreed to operate.
Performing – At this stage team members identify individual’s potential to perform the
task effectively. At this stage team members have high level of understanding, knowledge and
encouragement to perform.
Adjourning – This is the last stage or step of team development where team are
separated because they accomplished the task and achieve the objective.
Team management play an essential role in business organization because effective teams help
the organization to reach to their vision and mission by accomplishing the tasks with the help of
teams. Management of Wal-Mart make sure that they form effective team which includes all
above mention elements. Team management helps in maintaining tasks or activities within an
organization (Sanders. and Lin, 2016).
Belbin model
Belbin model signifies how to behave and increase the interrelationship in specific way.
There are various rules such as shaper, implementer, finisher team worker, coordinator, resource
investigator, plant as well as monitor, evaluator that is going to be mentioned below:
Shaper here in the manager of organisation focuses on brings innovation within business
organisation which is necessary for implementing particular things within company.
Implementer herein the manager of organisation implement the innovation within
business organisation which will be the reason of success of company.
Finisher here in the organisation focuses on completing their work in timely manner in
order to increase profit margin and sales in future period of time.
Teamwork’s it is necessary to perform their work in a team in order to increase
productivity as well as performance level in future period of time.
Coordinator here in the manager co-ordinate with the member of team in order to
increase the performance level of Organisation in future period of time.

Resource investigator here in the organisation focuses on investigating this strategy
which is adopted by competitor firm in order to make appropriate research strategy in order to
particular period of time.
Monitor herein the manager of the organisation carry out every task in an appropriate
manner in order to perform different work within given period of time.
Evaluation After monitoring implementing the different kind of activity within business
organisation it is necessary to evaluate for taking corrective decision which will be beneficial for
Organisation in future period of time.
TASK 4
P4 Apply various philosophies and concepts of organisational behaviour in context of
organisation.
Path Goal Theory of leadership
This leadership concept firstly develops by Martin Evans in 1971. This path goal theory
defined about the quality of the administration in very effective and appropriately as per
requirement to accomplish the goals and targets. This concept also makes concentration over the
activity that assists the leader to select effective behaviour for the workers best for them as per
their working atmosphere and this is also beneficial in form of workforce to attain their business
aims and objectives. This theory of path goal is also essential to motivate employees, appoint and
satisfy their requirement which in outcomes offer effective performance to all over association. It
also includes some factors and the description of this leadership theory in context of Walmart:
Employee’s character- In any organisation like Walmart each and every worker has
some different competencies and skills in which that people are perfect as per these capabilities.
So the manager and administrators of the firm assigned work and task as per their abilities and
knowledge. Cause of which, employees accomplish the aims and goals of their assigned work in
time and offer more favourable and satisfactory results.
Task and environmental characteristics- There are the essential factors as per path goal
theory in accomplishing the needed aims and goals. Some aspects are defined as beneath:
 Work group- In Walmart, when the people are working team to accomplish a common
goal then it known as work group. So in the team and unit, workers have diverse kind of