Organizational Behavior Terminology

Organizational Behavior Terminology and Concepts

“Organizational behavior is the study of individuals and their behavior within the context of the organization in a workplace setting” (Cornell University, 2010). Organizational behavior or OB can be measured by job performance and satisfaction, ethical behavior, turnover and organizational effectiveness. OB can be compared to a living thing, something which is different in every organization. No two organizations have the same organizational behavior, even if they are within the same type of business. OB can be observed through surveys of the employees in regards to their job satisfaction, can be measured through job performance and employee turnover. A high employee turnover rate can be an indicator that organizational behavior is negatively influenced.

Lack of communication, lack of management and negative feedback from management to employees are often the reason for a negative organizational behavior within a business. On the opposite, great communication and leadership as well as training and positive feedback to the employees can positively impact the organizational behavior of a company. As management employs tools such as leadership training, training for employees, emphasis on team work and communication, the organizational behavior of a business can easily be turned around from negative to positive. In most cases, a positive organization is a successful organization.

Part of the organizational behavior of a company includes the organizational culture within the company. Organizational culture is defined as “the personality of the organization” (Free Management Library, 2000). Just like the personality of any person or employee, the organizational culture is different in each business. The main difference between an individual’s personality and the organizational culture of a business is the fact that organizational culture of a business is made up of many different individual personalities. Every...