Chapter 1- Org Behavior January 15, 2009 (Basic Outline)

The Field of Org Psych A very broad field covering any topic related to the workplace behavior of 1 or more people Not limited to certain types of orgs, or even compensated activity Models of Org Behavior – importance of studying these?

Models of Org Behavior Systematic study of management/orgs didn’t start until Industrial Revolution Autocratic Model –Earliest model (early 1900s) –Based on formal authority of managers over employees –Example of Theory X (MacGregor) – what is it? –Taylor & Scientific Management

Models (cont.) Scientific Management –Background of Taylor’s research – –Main principles include: Criticisms?

Models (cont.) Classical Org Theory (1930s) –How did it differ from sci mgmt? –Satisfaction & productivity may be linked –Development of benefit plans to improve satisfaction  productivity –Ideas of bureaucracy (rules, hierarchies) –Problems with this approach?

Models (cont.) Hawthorne experiments – –Western Electric Plant 1930’s –Roethlisberger’s classic book “Management and the Worker” summarizes these studies –2 main studies: –1) Changed lighting to measure effect on productivity - –What were the main results?

Hawthorne (cont.) 2) Piecework incentives for 9-person assembly groups – –What were the results? –Implications?

Models (cont.) A few other theories after Hawthorne studies included focus on ee participation. –Majority of research done in the U.S. Modern Org Theory (80’s – current) –Focus on teams, groups –Systems approach – what is it? –Influence of 80’s cognitive revolution How was this demonstrated? –Recent focus on power, politics, justice

Current Trends Globalization – increase in expatriates –Greater acceptance of ‘divergence hypothesis’ –Diversity within organizations Tech advances –Effects on org structure (downsizing, outsourcing) –Flexible Work, telecommuting

Increase in use of contingent workers Employee engagement –What is it? –Key drivers:

Research Process in Org Psy Read appendix for general research principles What is different about Org research? Examples?