Organizational Behavior Report: Springland International Case Study

This report provides an in-depth analysis of organizational behavior at Springland International, a Hong Kong-based retail chain. The study examines the company's organizational culture, power dynamics, and motivational theories, including Herzberg's two-factor theory and Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and their impact on employee behavior and performance. The report explores the influence of the 'person' type of organizational culture on employee engagement and behavior, highlighting both its benefits and potential drawbacks. Furthermore, it assesses the effectiveness of teamwork within Springland International, identifying key success factors like clear communication and shared goals. The report also provides recommendations for enhancing employee performance through training and development initiatives, focusing on improving customer relationship skills, motivation, and interpersonal abilities. The analysis concludes with an evaluation of the impact of organizational culture on the behavior of employees and the overall performance of the firm.

ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR

Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
COMPANY BACKGROUND........................................................................................................1
PART 1: ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE, POWER AND POLITICS.......................................1
Analyzing various organizational culture and motivational theories..........................................1
Overview of chosen organization culture, power, and politics...................................................3
Evaluating how motivational theories influence behaviour........................................................3
Impact of organizational culture on employees behavior and performance................................4
Recommendation for improving the performance of staff..........................................................4
PART 2: TEAM AND PERFORMANCE......................................................................................5
Key success factors instrumental in building effective team.......................................................5
Identification of aspects threatening team...................................................................................5
Benefits of working in a team as a leader in achieving goals......................................................5
Benefits of working in a team as a member in achieving goals..................................................6
Benefits of working in a team as a member in dealing with conflicts or difficult situation........6
Review the effectiveness of having teamwork in attaining firm’s goal......................................6
Analyzing appropriate philosophies regarding team performance and impact on behavior.......6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The main objective of the given study is to explore different concepts which are related to
the subject of organizational behavior. Here, the study will be carried out on Springland
International. Here, the discussion will be carried out on concepts such as team effectiveness and
team working in a firm. It is through this way only the effectiveness of working in a team can be
explored. Here, the discussion will be carried out on the concepts such as organizational culture,
motivation theories and team working in Springland International.
INTRODUCTION
The main purpose of the given study is to highlight all the things which are related to OB.
Here, it will give a description regarding organizational culture and motivation theories used in
the selected firm. Further, this study will also entail about the impact of these things on the
performance of the firm. Here, Springland International will be used as a case study. Thus, this
study will also give a description that why it is important for the company to examine its team
effectiveness.
COMPANY BACKGROUND
For the given report, Springland International is taken into consideration. It is a Hong
Kong-based retail chain that operates supermarket and departmental stores (Newton & LePine,
2018). It has a competitive strategy to attract customers by making use of product development
tactic. Further, it has the tactical goal to maintain satisfaction level of buyers by giving them
high-quality services (Springland International, 2019). Springland International mission is to
maintain the satisfaction level of its buyers and fulfill their needs and demands. The firm has
product for all age buyers, and thus all are being regarded as its major customer base. As per the
year 2017, it has the sales of around 5124 HK dollar. Further, Springland International has a
business strategy to attract buyers by providing them high-quality services.
PART 1: ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE, POWER, AND POLITICS
Analyzing various organizational culture and motivational theories
Organizational culture is the system of belief and values which basically governs how
people behave in the organization. The organization culture is of four types, and it is depicted in
the below-given figure:
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Figure 1 Organizational culture
(Source: Yu and et al., 2018)
 Person: It is people and family oriented type of culture in which the manager of the
Springland International gives importance to the needs and demands of employees.
 Power: This is the risk-taking type of culture, and it motivates employees of Springland
International to behave innovatively. However, here decision is taken by the leader only
(Lapointe & Vandenberghe, 2018).
 Role: This type of culture is very structured and controlled, and here all decisions are
taken by the manager of the Springland International.
 Task: It is a result-oriented culture which focuses on the achievements and the
competition. The main aim of the given type of culture is to get the things to work done
within the given specified time frame in an effectual way. Thus, this enables the firm like
Springland International with respect to complete its task within a specific time.
Motivation is basically an internal process that makes people move towards the tactical goal
of the firm. In this context, it can be said that the motivational theories are of several types. The
very first theory is of Herzberg two factor theory. This theory consists of different hygiene and
motivational factors. This theory reveals that there are some factors which tend to satisfy
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employees. However, there are some factors which dissatisfy employees. So, it is important for
the firm that it should look after different factors with an aim to raise the motivation level of the
employees (Newton & LePine, 2018). For example, with the help of Herzberg two factor theory
manager of Springland International has identified that motivating factors mean a lot for its
employees. Hence, in this situation, the company should use the given factors with an aim to
raise their motivation. The factor comprises of giving reward and gifts to the employees that
perform best in the firm. On the other hand, here with an aim to raises, the motivation of the
firm’s employee manager of a firm could give the bonus. Besides this, the profit sharing
approach can also be considered as one of the ways. In this employee of the firm will receive
part of profit if they will perform well. In a similar way, the commission could also offer to
firm’s employees if they will perform well. These things will help in the process of raising the
motivation level of Springland International employees.
In addition to this, Maslow need hierarchy theory is being regarded as another
motivational theory. It comprises of different needs such as psychological, safety, security, self-
esteem and self-actualization needs. Here, by fulfilling all these needs manager of the cited firm
can raise the motivation level of its employees. Thus, it can carry out the best performance from
them. For example, the manager of Springland International has identified that its employees feel
motivated if the firm will fulfill their social need. In this situation, the firm should follow the
team-based type of structure.
Moreover, Vroom expectancy theory is another theory. This reveals that the performance
of employees is based on the individual’s factors. Thus, if all the factors are fulfilled then in this
situation the motivation of employees can be enhanced (Johnson & Szamosi, 2018).
Overview of chosen organization culture, power, and politics
On the basis of the analysis, it is examined that Springland International complies with
the person type of culture. In this regard, it always gives importance to the needs and demands of
its employees (McDonald, Keeves & Westphal, 2018). Further, it has made all sorts of efforts
with an aim to give the comfortable environment of working to their respective employees. On
the other hand, it also makes sure that for any decision it should take the opinion of its
employees. This is because; these are the individuals who will ultimately get affected by the
decisions which are being taken by the company.
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Evaluating how motivational theories influence behaviour
Among all the given motivational theories, manager of Springland International is using
Maslow need hierarchy theory. In accordance with the given context, here manager of the cited
firm has divided all its employees on the basis of different needs (Harris, Lavelle & McMahan,
2018). Here, as per given need only, the firm is fulfilling the needs and desires of its employees,
and thus maintaining their motivational level in an effectual manner. For example, if the firm has
identified that lower level employees feel motivated when their psychological needs such as
food, cloth, and shelter will be fulfilled (Wilson, 2018). Thus, with an aim to accomplish the
same, Springland International manager offers them monetary rewards for an objective which is
being fulfilled by them. In a similar way, some employees have a social need. This means they
like to work in a group. Hence, with an aim to fulfill the given need firm is following the team-
based type of structure. It is through this way only firm is maintaining the motivation level of its
employees and thus carrying out the best performance from their side. This is having a positive
effect on the overall profit of the firm (Petrou, Demerouti & Schaufeli, 2018).
Impact of organizational culture on employees behavior and performance
The person culture of Springland International has a significant impact on the behavior as
well as the performance of employees. In accordance with the given context, due to the given
culture employees of the firm feels more connected with the company. On the other hand, they
also feel that firm understand their feeling and give them importance. Thus, due to this, they will
always try to give their best performance to the firm (Moorman, Brower & Grover, 2018). On
the other hand, culture also affects their behavior. For example, due to the presence of person
culture, each member of the firm always tries to give helping hands to their fellow employees in
the situation when they face any kind of problem. Here, they don't get the feeling that the
respective employees could become a competition in the future (Kotlar and et al., 2018). Thus,
family type of environment tends to have a positive effect on the behavior of employees in an
effectual manner. However, it is to be critically evaluated that there are some circumstances in
which a firm will have to take a quick decision. But, a quick decision cannot be possible in the
situation like person culture where the manager takes opinion from its employees. Thus,
sometimes given the type of thing creates a problem in Springland International. This will also
affect the operation of the enterprise (Yu and et al., 2018). Here, a quick decision is the type of
emergency circumstances. For example, sales of Springland International are declining, and it
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should be set within 2 months. Thus, it is the type of condition in which quick decision is
essential. In case if the decision is not taken then in this situation, the company can lose its
market share, and it will affect profit.
Recommendation for improving the performance of staff
From the conducted analysis it is examined that employees of Springland International
lack customer relationship, motivation, and interpersonal skill. However, being in the service
industry, it is very important for the employees that they should work on the given skills. Thus,
in this context, it is recommended to the firm that it should regularly arrange the training and
development type of activity for the Springland International employees. This is because such
activities enhance the skills of the employees and it will also motivate them with respect to give
their best performance to the firm. On the other hand, in this way, only negative behavior of
employees can be converted into a positive one. Here, negative behavior is basically the type of
behavior in which employee will try to resist each and everything that is being presented to it.
Such types of individuals are very low at motivation skill. However, positive behavior is the type
of behavior in which employees are ready to accept the challenge. This will have a positive
effect on the overall profit of the firm. Thus, it can be concluded that the firm should make an
effort in the process of raising the motivation of its employees.
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PART 2: TEAM AND PERFORMANCE
Key success factors instrumental in building an effective team
In this assignment, the discussion will be carried out on the team working practices
following in the Springland International. In this context, the team of all sales executives will be
considered. The main aim of the given team is to resolve the problem of the firm's respective
buyers. Thus, on the basis of a given aspect, only different questions are answered.
Factors that facilitate team performance
 Clear communication: In team communication between people should be very much
clear. This is because; it is through this way only they will be able to make a healthy
discussion. Thus, they can attain the goals of the firm (Reed & Bazalgette, 2018). Here,
communication should be held between both the sales team as well as buyers of the
company. For example, it is through clear communication the only team of sales
executives is able to assess the needs of its buyers and thus can make the collective
decision with an aim to resolve the problem of its buyers.
 Well defined roles and responsibilities: Each individual who works in a team have a
different level of expertise. For example, some sales executives have good managerial
skill. In a similar way, some people are good at problem-solving skill. Here, it is this type
of skill that enables sales executive with regard to make an analysis of the communicated
problem and take such type of decision that is being proved as an effective solution for
the same. Thus, it is the responsibility of team leader that it should define the roles of its
team members appropriately. But, it is not done then the overall performance of the team
will be affected. However, in Springland International it is identified that the roles and
responsibilities of the sales team are not defined very well. This could affect the
operation of the firm in the future. In this context, it can be said that the sales executive is
responsible for giving services to the buyer. Here, it will have to hear the problem of its
customers and should be given response accordingly.
Identification of aspects threatening the team
Factors that hinder team performance
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 Lack of accountability:A sales executives should possess one individual who will be
ready to get the responsibility of all the things which are being done in the firm. If this is
found as absent, then the overall performance of the team will be affected.
 A long chain of communication: While in the sales executives, the leader should follow
the short chain of communication. Chain of communication is basically the process that
enables the sender of the message with regard to sending its message to the receiver. In
this context, it should give the opportunity to its employees that they should directly
approach them in case they face any kind of problem in their work (Castille, Buckner &
Thoroughgood, 2018).
Benefits of working in a team as a leader in achieving goals
Teamwork is being regarded as a collaborative effort in which two or more individuals
work together with an aim to attain the goals and objectives of the corporation. The main aim of
team working is to attain the objective of the firm within a limited period of time. Being a leader,
an individual can give instruction to the members of sales that are working in Springland
International. Further, it can also set the working practices of the team as per his/her own desire.
Thus, it is by complying with the given type of activity only the goal of the firm can be met in an
effectual way.
Benefits of working in a team as a member in achieving goals
There are some benefits of working in team examined. In this context, it can be said that
the team is working foster learning as well as creativity. This is due to the fact that it has been
seen that each individual has a different level of expertise. Thus, in teamwork, each person will
learn from each other, and thus together they will always come up with some creative solution in
relation to the problem in an effectual manner (Coccia, 2018). Further, teamwork helps in
resolving Springland International problem within a short period of time. This is because more
mind is effective than one single mind. Thus, with the help of teamwork of sales executives, the
manager can get so many solutions to the one specific problem. Thus, it can take timely action in
relation to the problem.
Benefits of working in a team as a member in dealing with conflicts or difficult situation
Being a member of the team, an individual can get greater insight into the problem which
is being faced by the employees in the team (Wills, 2018). Thus the given thing will assist in the
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task of resolving the problem of team members within a short period of time. On the other hand,
by working in the position of the member, an individual will also get a clear idea regarding the
issue that is being faced by the individual. It is through this way the only problem can be
resolved.
Review the effectiveness of having teamwork in attaining firm’s goal
In the process of attaining the goal of Springland International, teamwork tends to play a
very significant role. For example, Springland International has the goal to maintain the
satisfaction level of its customers by delivering them high-class services. This can be met if all
the employees who are working in a different department will work together (Sugiyama and et
al., 2018). For example, the HR department will ensure that the firm will have a team of talented
employees so that problems of customers can be addressed in an effective manner. In a similar
way, the logistics department of Springland International will assure that it will deliver goods to
buyers within the specified time frame. This will help in maintaining their satisfaction level.
Thus, it is through teamwork only the goals of the firm can be accomplished in an effectual
manner (Armstrong, 2018). Herein, it can be said that the sales team of Springland International
has a monthly sales target of generating revenue of around 100 Hong Kong dollars. But, the sales
team has achieved the target of 60 Hong Kong Dollar. This thing depicts that the sales team of
Springland International is not meeting its monthly sales target. This is happening because the
manager of the firm has not performed proper segregation of individual roles and
responsibilities. Thus, it is being regarded as the major problem that is incurring in the firm.
However, this can be resolved by maintaining proper record of different people roles and
responsibilities in the team. It is through this way only the effectiveness of the team can be
ensured. Further, by arranging the training program for them, the performance of employees can
be improved.
Relate the effectiveness of teamwork in achieving the goal at the workplace
With the help of teamwork, manager of Springland International will have many
solutions for the one specific problem. Thus, it is through this way only the goal of the firm can
be accomplished (Sun and et al., 2018). As per conducted review, it can be said that at per
present situation the sales team of Springland International is not in the position to achieve the
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mission of the firm. Thus, the given thing should be resolved with an aim to improve the profit of
the firm.
CONCLUSION
From the whole study, it can be concluded from part A that for any firm like Springland
International it is very important that it should choose its culture in a proper and effective
manner. This is because it is through this way only firm can carry out best from the side of its
employees. Further, it can also be concluded from part B that it is very important for Springland
International that it should maintain the effectiveness of its team. This is because this thing will
lead the firm to success.
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