Defining Organizational Behavior
Dave Harper
March 3, 2021
Most people spend at least half their time at work. As such, they interact
with others in the work environment on an almost daily basis. Naturally,
there can be many issues between people in that setting that can impact
employee’s attitudes and behavior. Organizational changes are often put
in place that may disrupt the workflow or put people in different roles
with more/less authority.
Therein lies the basis for the psychology of organizational behavior and
where it finds its home. According to W. Warner Burke (2018) “The
“special century” for Organizational Development (OD) was from 1939
to 1969—a mere 30 years rather than an entire century, but it was a
highly important period for the field.” Burke, W.W. (2018). The rise
and fall of the growth of organization development: what now?
Retrieved from: https://eds-a-ebscohostcom.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=1b25
bea8-a7fc-4ef3-bf72-70d7421fd712%40sessionmgr4007.
So, the study of organizational behavior and development has been
around for a good many years. Today it is one of the most critical parts
for I/O psychologists since it deals with how work and business interact
in our society. It also tends to focus on issues that affect employees such
as absenteeism, labor practices, bias, discrimination,
Organizational behavior and development therefore can be defined
thusly: "Organization Development is a system-wide application of
behavioral science knowledge to the planned development and
reinforcement of organizational strategies, structures, and processes for
improving an organization's effectiveness." Cummings and Worley,
"Organization Development and Change", Sixth Edition, South-Western
Publishing, 1997, p.2. Retrieved from:
https://managementhelp.org/organizationdevelopment/.
If I were doing an elevator pitch to a stranger with no familiarity with
either organizational behavior or development, I’d explain it this way.
“Hi. Aren't you a manager at XYZ corporation on the 15th floor? I’ve
heard you’ve got some turnover, absenteeism, and low productivity
going on. Are you familiar with how an organizational behavioralist
psychologist could help you resolve and make positive changes in your
organization? They are a professional group whose members examine
your group of employees and find ways to determine the appropriate
structure and can help you address such areas as high turnover,
absenteeism, productivity, team building, and motivational techniques.
Here’s a card for a friend of mine who might be able to assist you in
refining some of those areas.”
References
Burke, W.W. (2018). The rise and fall of the growth of organization
development: what now? Retrieved from: https://eds-a-ebscohostcom.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=
1b25bea8-a7fc-4ef3-bf72-70d7421fd712%40sessionmgr4007.
Cummings and Worley, "Organization Development and Change",
Sixth Edition, South-Western Publishing, 1997, p.2. Retrieved
from: https://managementhelp.org/organizationdevelopment/.