Buiza, Bea Marie G.
BSA 1-18
Human Behavior in Organization
Prof. Ma. Aurora De Leon
CHAPTER 1 - ACTIVITIES / EXERCISES
1) Discuss a current event that was influenced by, or could have been positively
influenced by a clear understanding of OB. Prepare an essay that concisely describes that
current event and what you believe to be the impact of OB.
Recently, we experienced a frustrating pandemic. And it resulted to a big
turmoil not only in the community but also inside the organization. Some closed
businesses, some lost their jobs, and some lost profits. And organizational
behavior took place in this event, because sudden changes from the company
could have caused the people to make a ruckus. Lack of good management and
clearing social issues will also make the situation worse for the company to
dismiss their employees. Also, non-readiness from these possible events makes the
organization lose more in the longer end.
But organizations with a good understanding of organizational behavior,
and that has implemented among its managers and employees the strong mindset
and good relationship, wasn’t much affected by the changes. This could be
because they have built trust and good faith from their people. By this, rather than
suddenly cutting off their staffs, they could have instead motivated and influenced
their employees to adjust from the situation and react calmly. Due to this, some
office works are made into a home-based work and the good management skills of
the organization will also make it easier for them. Office supplies and needs are
also provided, and the company tend to their comfort. It will be also easier for
them to control and disseminate orders and information throughout, and quickly
apply a new set of rules in accordance to law of mid-pandemic safety protocols.
Managerial issues will be less of a problem, and effectiveness to work is still
doing well. This is because both the organization and its people recognize their
part to the changes and their must have attitude to overcome the effects of the
pandemic that will benefit both of them.
Therefore, clear understanding of the OB is a two-way requirement for the
organization to adapt and survive longer no matter the challenges it faces. Also,
it’s the best to have in an organization to acquire a smooth and solid results from
its constituents. And to maximize and open opportunities even in cases like a
severe pandemic.
2) Choose an organization either local or abroad that you admire. Briefly describe your
chosen organization, discussing what goods or services are produced, how many
employees it has, what the structure looks like, and a general overview of how the
organization of study is managed. Explain why you chose that organization.
Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology company. It
develops, manufactures, licenses, supports, and sells computer software, consumer
electronics, personal computers, and related services. Its best known software products
are the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, the Microsoft Office suite, and
the Internet Explorer and Edge web browsers. Microsoft was founded by Bill
Gates and Paul Allen on April 4, 1975. Its mission is “to empower every person and
every organization on the planet to achieve more.” And its vision is “to help people
and businesses throughout the world realize their full potential.”
The company currently have roughly 165,000 employees including all in every
branch and flagship stores. And it has a product type divisional organizational structure.
This structure involves divisions that are based on certain computer hardware and
software products, or organizational outputs. The main implication of Microsoft
Corporation’s organizational structure is the ability to focus on product development. For
example, the company uses its Intelligent Cloud division to offer cutting-edge cloud
computing services. A corresponding advantage of this corporate structure is its
contribution to the competitiveness of Microsoft’s products. The disadvantage of the
company’s organizational structure is its minimal consideration for regional market
differences. Regions have varying preferences with regard to Microsoft’s computer
hardware and software features, such as in the case of smartphones. Thus, a
recommendation is for the company to integrate regional market differences in its
organizational structural design.
 I chose this organization because its software products are relevant today. And not
only it is a big company, but also its morale values and the story behind its success
is big of a catch. For it was formed by Bill Gates, a college dropout and his friend
Paul Allen. Their intentions and persistence also striked me that I know they must
be incorporating the same values to their employees. Reading their mission and
vision, I can sense their sincerity and the good will from it. And that is what I
admire from this company.
Answer in an essay format.
What do you hope to gain from the study of OB? How well do you think you currently
understand human behavior in organizations? Have you ever been surprised by the
actions or reactions of another person? Why? Describe what actually happened and what
you were expecting to happen. What do you think may have caused the difference?
Throughout studying organizational behavior, I expect myself to apply the
learnings when time comes that I face the corporate world. I hope that I’d be able to
actually understand people more, and react differently towards their behaviors. And to
also lead, manage, or do my tasks with better mindset and upscaled social skills. For the
reason that I also want to become not just a promising employee in terms of work but
also in attitude and ethics.
Looking back from my past experiences, I actually think that I have been surprised
or more like triggered from a person’s behavior. It was when I am working as an intern or
an ojt student for an insurance company. I got stuck from traffic due to the long travel
distance from home to work so I arrived late. While in the lobby, I was rushing to get my
ID checked and log in recorded in accordance to following the company rules. But I think
the front desk lady is stalling me in purpose. So, I complained a bit but the guard
personnel beside her mocked me for that. Obviously, I got mad and answered back that I
was getting late, but I was reprimanded instead for my attitude. Understanding it now, I
could have a better behavior for that situation. No matter how rude authorities can be,
there is just no being rude against them too. I was expecting them to be more respectful,
but I understand why they are so. It maybe because I’m still an intern, or they’re just
prideful to their authority. Nevertheless, I still think I can have an improved reaction
towards the same situation in the future.
Therefore, a clear understanding of human behavior in organizations is very
significant for any corporate or organization. Not only for a few select people, but
everyone in the organization in general including the last in the hierarchy. It’s vital to
employees’ morale and relationship towards each other.
ASSESSMENT
MODIFIED TRUE OR FALSE
TRUE
1. There are 10 Challenges and Opportunities in OB.
Sociology
2. Psychology, Social Psychology, Psychology and Anthropology
are the Contributing Disciplines to OB.
TRUE
3. In the late 1960’s, Henry Mintzberg, he concluded 10 different
interrelated roles or sets of behaviors which was categorized into 3: Interpersonal,
Informational, and Decisional.
TRUE
4. Sociology, studies people in relation to their social environment
or culture.
Leading
5. French industrialist Henri Fayol: All managers perform 5
management functions that presently condensed into 4 namely; Planning, Organizing,
Commanding, and Controlling.
MULTIPLE CHOICE (Answers below)
1) What are the three primary determinants of behavior in organizations?
A) profit structure, organizational complexity, and job satisfaction
B) individuals, profit structure, and job satisfaction
C) individuals, groups, and job satisfaction
D) groups, structure, and profit structure
E) individuals, groups, and structure
2) Which of the following is not a core topic of organizational behavior?
A) motivation
B) attitude development
C) conflict
D) resource allocation
E) work design
3) Until the late 1980s, business school curricula emphasized the ________ aspects of
management.
A) ethical
B) people
C) technical
D) human
E) global
4) Which of the following is not a reason why business schools have begun to include
classes on organizational behavior?
A) to increase manager effectiveness in organizations
B) to help organizations attract top quality employees
C) to expand organizations' consulting needs
D) to improve retention of quality workers
E) to help increase organizations' profits
5) There is a connection between companies which have ________ and the incorporation
of organizational behavior principles.
A) high turnover rates
B) specialized technical processes
C) superior financial performance
D) long-lasting CEO's
E) all of the above
6) ________ is the study of the impact that individuals, groups, and structure have on
behavior within organizations.
A) Leadership
B) Organizational strategy
C) Performance management
D) Employee relations
E) Organizational behavior
7) Which of the following is not a topic or concern related to OB?
A) turnover
B) leader behavior
C) productivity
D) management
E) family behavior
8) In order to predict human behavior, it is best to supplement your intuitive opinions
with information derived in what fashion?
A) common sense
B) direct observation
C) systematic study
D) speculation
E) organizational theory
9) Arianna believes that it is best to take the casual or common-sense approach to reading
others. She needs to remember that
________.
A) the casual approach is nonsensical, and should be avoided as much as possible
B) the systematic approach and the casual approach are one and the same
C) laboratory experiments on human behavior often result in unreliable findings D) the
casual or common-sense approach to reading others can often lead to erroneous
predictions
E) behavior is unpredictable, hence there is no accurate way to analyze it
10) Which of the following explains the usefulness of the systematic approach to the
study of organizational behavior?
A) Human behavior does not vary a great deal between individuals and situations.
B) Human behavior is not random.
C) Human behavior is not consistent.
D) Human behavior is rarely predictable.
E) Human behavior is often not sensible
Answers:
1) E
2) D
3) C
4) C
5) C
6) E
7) E
8) C
9) D
10) B