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PROFFESSTIONAL AND INDUSTRIAL STUDIES CE309

ORGANISATIONAL BEHAVIOUR (27/03/96) (Mugwindiri)

AimIntroduce organisational behaviour and explain its importance to the engineering manager.

Recommended Texts

a) D Torrington & L Hall; Personnel Management, A new Approach

b) J Storey ed. New Perspectives On Human Resources Management

Definition

It is the study of people at work. The systematic study of the action and attitudes that people exhibit withinorganisations. The study of OB is important to the engineering manager as this assists him to predict,

explain and control human behaviour. It studies factors that affect productivity, absenteeism and turnover

(rate at which people leave an organisation). More specifically we examine the basic concept of values,

attitudes, personality, learning, motives, perception, job design and group behaviour.

Values

Motivation

Attitudes

Perception Individual behaviour Personality

LearningAbility

(Key variables affecting individual behaviour)

Values

These are basic convictions that a specific code of conduct is socially correct or preferred. The set of values

form a value system. The value system is defined by the importance attached to issues like freedom,

honesty, self respect, equality, obedience and pleasure. Values are relatively stable are based on thosevalues originally as accepted as childrens.

There are seven types of values;

Level 1 ; ReactiveReact to physiological needs, are unaware of themselves to others e.g. babies.

Level 2; Tribalism

High dependency on others, influenced by tradition and power exerted by others.

Level 3; Egocentric

Individual are aggressive, selfish and respond to power.Level 4; Conforming

Unable to tolerate those with different values

Level 5; Manipulative

Materialistic and seek higher status often by manipulating others to achieve their goal.

Level 6; Sociocentric

They are repulsed by those in levels 3, 4 and 5. They try to get on with others (nice guys).

Level 7; Exicentral

High tolerance of others with different values. Opposed to status symbols and arbitrary use of power.Older Employees

Generally characterised by levels 2 and 4. Those who entered industry in the 1960s are usually in level 7.Those who entered in the 1980s and 1990s are in level 5.

Attitudes

These are evaluative statements (either favourable or not) concerning people, object or events. They reflect

personal feeling.

Job Related Attitudes

Job satisfaction, involvement and commitment. A person with a high level of job satisfaction generally

holds a positive attitude towards the job.


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Core Construct Attitudes

Central to us and difficult to change.

Peripheral Attitudes

Due to events that may have happened.Attitudes are often shared within an organisation and as such are included in the culture of that

organisation.Theory of Cognitive Dissonance

It is the tern given to the discomfort felt when you act in a way that is inconsistent with our true belief. We

are motivated to reduce its impact. The process of attitude change is dependent on 3 key factors;

a) if the rewards of ignoring dissonance are high

b) if dissonance is seen by individual to be externally imposed

c) if underlying features are not importantDiscrepancies between attitudes and behaviour occur due to group and social pressures.

Personality

This is what you can see about a person. There are surface traits (conspicuous and evident) and source/

underlying traits (hidden). There are 4 key personal attributes. These appear to have direct relevance in

explaining and predicting behaviour.

Locus of Control

This basically refers to whether the individual perceives outcomes as controlled by themselves or external

control. People with an internal locus of control believe they can control their destiny, are satisfied withtheir jobs and are highly involved and they evaluate their performance.

People with an external locus of control believe life is controlled by outsiders and tend to be less satisfiedby their jobs, reluctant to criticise themselves, less involved and tend to blame others for their failure.

Authoritarianism

It is belief that there should be status and power differences between people in organisations. Intellectually

rigid, judgmental of others, differential to superiors (yielding to superiors). They perform very well where

conformity to rules and regulation is required. They are happy working in a structured environment and are

unsuitable for a job where a high sensitivity and tact is required.

Machiavallianism

Pragmatic (treat things from a practical point of view), maintain their emotional distance (emotionallystable) and are highly manipulative. They perform very well where bargaining skills are required and where

there is a high reward for success. They believe that the end justifies the means. These are forceful and

relentless.Risk propensity

Individuals who tend to make rapid decisions and tend to use very little information. Perform badly where

great care is required e.g. stock broking, auditing etc.

It is a process by which individuals organise and interpret their sensory impressions to give meaning to

their environment. Different individuals can observe the same thing and perceive it differently. Two

theories of perception are;

Attribution theory

When we observe behaviour we classify it as being internally or externally caused. This depends on

distinctiveness, consensus and consistence. The internal forces relate to personal attributes such as ability,

skill, fatigue or effort. External forces relate to environmental factors such as organisational rules and

polices (which are beyond personal control)Perception is also used in making quick judgements about people and situations. Often we cannot

assimilate all we observe so we engage in selective observation and make quick judgements.The Halo-effect

It is a process by which the perception of a person is formulated from the basis of a single favourable or

unfavourable impression. So the halo-effect tends to shut out other relevant characteristics of that person.

Learning

It permanent change of behaviour as a result of experience.

Shaping

Learning takes place in gradual steps and is often reinforced by rewards after each step.


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Modelling

Responsible for rapid change in behaviour, usually on our observation of a role model.

Motivation

It is the willingness to do something to satisfy a need. Examining the basic motivational process we see that

an unsatisfied needs create a tension which stimulates a drive which generates a surge to find or achieveparticular goals which if attained will satisfy the need, thereby reducing the tension;

Unsatisfied need,Tension,Drives,Search behavior,Satisfied need,Tension reduced

Maslows theory of heirachy of needs

Basically people are wanting beings, they will always want more. These are satisfied in order, as one level

becomes satisfied the next becomes dominant.

SelfActualisation

Esteem step 2

Social

Safety step 1

Physiological

In general the lower needs (step 1) are externally satisfied while the higher (step 2) ones are internally

satisfied.

Physiological

Homeostatic needs, (hunger, thirst, sexual desire).

Safety & security

Freedom from pain and attack and orderliness.

SocialLove, affection and friendship.

Esteem

Confidence, reputation, prestige and status.Self actualisation

Realisation of ones full potential.

Criticism of the theory

Needs can be fulfilled simultaneously so passing on of needs can be doubted. Job satisfaction does not

necessarily lead to an improvement in work performance. People do not necessarily satisfy their needsthrough work.

MacGregors theory X and theory Y

He proposed two distinct views of human behaviour. MacGregors theory states that the managers view of

humans is based a certain grouping of assumptions and behaviour according to which set of assumptions he

accepts.

Theory X

Employees inherently dislike work and will attempt to avoid it. Since they dislike work, they must be

cohersed, controlled or threatened with punishment to achieve desired goals. Employees will shakeresponsibility and seek formal direction whenever possible. Most workers place security above all other

factors associated with work and will display little ambition.Theory Y

Employees can view work as being natural as rest or play. A person will exercise self direction and self

control if he is committed to the object. The average person can learn to accept or even seek responsibility.

Creativity is widely dispersed throughout the population (organisation) and not necessarily the sole

province of management.

Comments


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The central principle of theory X is directional control. This approach can result in an authoritarian type of

management. Theory X is used where the job offers little rewards or opportunities. The central principle of

theory X is the integration of individual and organisational goals. Theory Y is used when commitment is

most important e.g. voluntary organisations.

Herzebergs Motivation Oblique Hygiene TheoryHe proposed that certain factors were related to job satisfaction. These include achievement, recognition

and responsibility. Other factors were related to job dissatisfaction. These include company policy, workingconditions and supervision. They key issue in this theory is that removing dissatisfying factors does not

produce job satisfaction. The factors relating to dissatisfaction are called hygiene factors.

Hygiene factors

a) supervision (most important)

b) working conditions & salary

c) peers/ colleaguesd) personal life

e) surbodinates

f) status

g) job security (least important)

Motivators

a) achievement (most important)

b) recognition

c) work d) responsibility

e) advancementf) growth (least important)

Criticism of the theory

The opposite is dissatisfaction is not satisfaction but no dissatisfaction.

Comments

Hygiene factors are necessary to guarantee fairness of work and avoid unpleasantness at work.

Modern Motivation Theories

Three needs theory (McCllelland)

This theory suggests that there are three major motives/ needs in the workplace;a) the need for achievement

b) the need for power

c) the need for affiliation

a) High achievers like to improve and receive encouragement. They dislike gamble but like an

achievable gamble. Money is not an incentive but may act as a means of giving feedback on

performance. Achievers only value high pay as a symbol of successful task performance and goals

achieved.b) The need to have impact and control over situations. People in this category are concerned with

gaining power over other people and are less interested in their performance (megalomaniacs).

c) Desire to delight and be respected.

Goal Setting Theory (Locke)

Intentions expressed as goals are a major source of motivation. Statements such as do your best

de-motivate where as quantitative and achievable goals tend to motivate. Peoples goals and intentions play

an important part in determining behaviour because they want to satisfy their needs. Difficult goals result in

underachievement.Reinforcement Theory (Skinner)

Reinforcement conditions behaviour. the theory assumes that behaviour which is rewarded would berepeated.

Equity Theory

It focuses on peoples feelings based on how fairly they have been treated in comparison to treatment

received by others. It is based on the exchange theory. Employees compare their rewards with their inputs.

They also compare inputs and output ratios of others. If equity is not found people may take one of the

following five actions:

distort their own or others input or output


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a) induce others to change their input/ output, inciting and mobilisation

b) change their own input or output

c) choose a different comparison

d) leave the organisation

Hourly paid and underewarded people produce a low output of poor quality goods. People paid for whoconsider that they are underewarded tend to produce a high number of poor quality goods.

Expectancy Theory (Vroom)People are influenced by the expected results of their actions. Motivation is a function of the relationship

between;

a) effort expended and the perceived level of expectancy

b) the expectation that rewar5ds would be related to performance

c) the rewards must be available

Individual effort

Individual performance

Organisation reward

Individual goals

(simplified expectancy theory)

Motivation: Implications to the Manager;a) the manager should be able to recognise individual differences in attitudes, personalities and

values

b) there should be an effort to match people with jobs. People with a high level of achievement

should be placed in small companies. Those with a high need for power are suitable for big

organisations

c) managers should set their subordinates high and achievable goals

d) the manager should ensure that the employees perceive the goals as achievable

e) managers should have a knowledge of their employees to individualise the rewards givenf) the rewards should be linked to performance

g) equity should be ensured within the system

h) managers should remember that although goals are important, money is a key motivator

(insert job characteristic model)

Group Behaviour

A group is two or more individuals who come together to achieve a particular goal. They can either be

formal or informal. Formal groups have a define structure, tasks and objective. Informal groups have an

undefined structure and needs for social contact (sangano rechapu).

Group Classification

a) Command Group - comprises subordinates who report to a section leader (mahobho)b) Task Group - intact discipline established to accomplish a specific task e.g. disciplinary

committee

c) Interest Group - comprises of people who come together to achieve a particular objectivealthough they are not organisationally alike e.g. trade unions

d) Friendship Group - social group formed on an informal basis (boozers club)

Groups form for a number of reasons;

a) affiliation - people join groups to fulfil their need for social interactionb) security - people believe that there is strength in numbers (trade unions, demonstrations)

c) power - groups give power to their members

d) status - people join groups which other people recognise as important


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e) self esteem - the inclusion of a person in an important group increases their self esteem. An

important person coming into a group raises the net worth of the group

f) groups can be formed to solve a particular problem e.g. demonstrations

Group DevelopmentIt is a dynamic process. Although groups are in a continuous state of change, four specific phases can be

identified.(insert stages of group development)

Forming

In this stage members are uncertain of their purpose, group structure and leadership. This stage is complete

when members accept their group role.

Storming

Characterised by intra-group conflict over the heirachy / leadership. This phase is complete when theheirachy has been established.

Norming

In this phase close relationships develop and a cohesive group forms. This phase is complete when the

members develop a common acceptance of behaviour and expectancy.

Performing

The group is relatively stable and functional. The hierarchy and relationships have been accepted and the

emphasis is now on performance and achievement of goals.

Group StructureTo understand it we must examine three basic concepts; roles, norms and status

a) Roles - all members of a group assume a particular role and the key to understanding behaviour

is to identify the role played by a person. Certain attitudes and behavoir are consistent with a role

(role identity). A persons view on how they should behave in a particular role is termed role

perception and this is based on the interpretation of how we believe we are supposed to behave in

certain situation. This introduces a physiological contract which is unwritten, i.e. an unspoken

agreement between employer and employee concerning each others role.

b) Norms - all groups have established norms i.e. acceptable standard of behaviour. There are some

common norms whish develop gradually as group members learn what is necessary for a group tofunction effectively. Norms develop through statement made by group leaders, history, how group

members follow accepted precedence and carry over in which norms are imported as members

join from other groups. Norms assist the group to survive and also the members to predict thebehaviour of others. Norms reduce personal embarrassment as members know how to behave

within a group.

c) Status - grading or ranks within a group. It can formally be given by title or informally by other

members of the group. Low status personnel usually work smoothly if their actions are initiated by

high status personnel. Similarly if high status personnel believe that their action are stimulated bylow status personnel problems may occur.

Group Behaviour

Variables affecting group behaviour are;

a) Personality - plays an important part in determining group behaviour

b) Group size - affects the overall behaviour of the group. Five to seven is the optimum size.

c) Similarity - heterogeneous perform better than homogenous as they posses more diverse abilities

and a wider skills range.

Group CohesivenessIt is influenced by;

a) time spent together b) severity of initiation

c) group size

d) external threats increase cohesiveness

e) previous successes increases team spirit and cohesiveness

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

a) Personnel


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b) Hard

c) Soft

d) Business

e) Span of focus

f) Labour processDefinition

It is the set of polices designed to maximise organisational integration, employee commitment, flexibilityand the quality of work. HRM considers people as its most important asset in order to get productivity and

quality by forging a close relationship between management and the workforce. HRM can be considered

under four main areas.

Integration

This is the integration of human resources policy and the strategic plan. This should filter on to integrating

the human resources policy with management polices, emphasizing the attitude and behaviour of linemanagers.

Commitment

The importance of commitment is based on the assumption that committed workers will be more satisfied,

productive and adaptable.

Flexibility

Only becomes feasible if employees at all levels display high organisational commitment, trust and high

level of motivation.

QualityThe HRM policy should ensure good quality of the processes, products and staff both in terms of

performance and public image.

The Hard and Soft Versions

Company A Company B

(soft motivation , (hard firm alignment of

team work, leadership) employees with company needs)

Stages of Personnel Activity Development

Social ReformerAcolyte of Benevolence

Human Bureaucrat

Consensus NegotiatorOrganisation Man

Manpower Analyst

Human Resources Management

Hard Version

Employees are treated as just another element of the input output equation. It is concerned with increasingemployee utilisation i.e. cost effective approach. Managers are bent on convincing the employees to accept

that their interests coincide with those of the organisation.

Employees are involved in the improvement of quality and productivity but are unlikely to be involved in

the decision making. Machine utilisation is considered more important than employees. Companies are

more focused on short term benefits rather than investing in people and focusing in long term benefits.

Soft Version

This approach emphasises communication, motivation and leadership. It recognises that employees cannot

be treated just as another resource because people have emotion and intellect. Thus there is more emphasison strategies of gaining commitment by informing employees about the companys mission, values, plans

and also involving them in how work should be managed. A pherarist view is taken which recognises thatthe needs of employees will not always be the same with those of the organisation.

Social reformer

Motivated by the excess of industrial revolution.

Acolyte of benevolence

Welfare officer, Christian charity of the employer e.g. Carlsburg, Lever Brothers, UB40, sick pay.

Human Bureacrat

Careful selection of employee, training and placement.


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The Consensus negotiator

Post World War II, increasing trade union influence, national issue of influence of international

competition.

Organisation man

Considers the effectiveness of the whole organisation (Wholistic approach). Aligning the organisation andthe management development of employees.

Manpower Analyst1980s human asset, accounting manpower planning emphasizing the demand and supply equation.

HRM issues

a) polices differ depending on strategy

b) can a company-wide policy work

c) will strategies always result in HRM type activity (commitment, flexibility, quality)

d) does matching HRM polices to business strategy mean reduction of labour costsHRM activities

a) employee relations

b) recruitment

c) training

d) manpower planning

e) redundancy and dismissal

f) discipline and grievance procedures

g) payment administrationh) health and safety

i) appraisal and job evaluationj) organisation management

k) fringe benefits

Human & Industrial Relations (employee relations and managers responsibilities)

Close the corporate governance gap

a) team briefing and quality circles

b) employee share ownership

c) improved supervision

d) team working and leadershipe) performance and appraisal including reward system

f) empowerment and employee involvement, flexibility

g) recruitment and selectionh) leadership

i) training and education (managers and employees)

j) health and safety

Provide conductive employee working framework by reducing stress factors

a) step up (more work in less time)b) JIT (just in time)

c) use of outside contractors

d) technology designed to minimise indirect labour

e) DEM (design for economic manufacture) products design to reduce labour costs

f) network reduction

g) higher management control

How to increase worker participation

a) share ownershipb) make employees more careful with equipment, material and time

c) get rid of us and them attituded) incentive scheme for self esteem

Accident

It is a random, multi-factor event which causes person(s) to fail to cope with their environment. A

dangerous occurrence is said to take place when similar random multi-factor events come together in a such

a way as to cause a non-injury accident to happen, or one that stops short of an accident taking place.

(from the Handbook of Safety Management, Rodger Saunders, 1991)


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lack of control

basic causes

immediate causes

incident lossContributory Factors in an Accidenta) late for work

b) hangover

c) under stress

d) made fun of by others

e) disciplined by foreman

f) annoyed

g) loss of concentration

h) distracted by work-mate

i) injury by machine

The Cost of an Accident (Iceberg)a) injury and illness cost (medical bill, compensation)

b) ledger cost of property damage (building, tool, equipment damage)

c) uninsured (investigation time)

d) miscellaneous (wages for standing time)

Safety Responsibilities of Managers & Supervisors

a) be aware of legal requirements, codes of practice and their relevance to your plant and process

b) asses the danger involved in your work

c) develop systems of work that are both safe and without risk to healthd) ensure that employees are aware of the hazards and have trained in safe systems of work

e) investigate accidents and incidents and find ways of preventing their recurrence

f) be alert for new problems, caused changes in equipment, process or material

g) set a good example

All employees

a) cooperate by following set established safety systems

b) obey safety rules, especially those on wearing protective clothing and equipment

c) report accident without delay and take careSafety Inspections

a) can identify problems

b) asses effectiveness of health and safety initiatives

c) must result in ACTION

d) should involve management and safety represantatives

e) inspectors should be trained

The Safety E Mix

Enforcement Engineering

Criminal and civil law Safer equipmentStatutory regulations Tool designAdvisory notes Improved machinesProfessional codes of conduct

Safety Plan

Environment EducationSafer working conditions Publicity programme


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Elimination of risk location Training

Make work place safer Education schemes

Recruitment

People are central to the organisational central plan hence recruitment is a necessary and important issue of

the personnel function. Recruitment should be considered in the context of overall manpower plan that is;a) potential of the applicants for training and future promotions

b) the need to combine not just technical competence but sociability as well that how members fitinto the culture and soil structure of the organisation

c) the necessity comply fully with all legal requirements like codes of practice and also to ensure

justice to all applicants.

Recruiting

a) the need to know about the job (is the job necessary, can you use cover(kukavhira)

b) to know the type of person to do the job (qualities and attributes)c) the best means of attracting the suitable range of applicants

d) the assessment for suitability of the candidates

e) induction into the company and follow up

f) review effectiveness of procedure

Alternatives to recruitment

a) subcontracting/ use an agency

b) cover up

c) automated) make job part time/ stagger (use overtime)

e) reorganise work

Effective recruitment is possible if

a) job and working conditions have been fully explained to the applicants before engagement

b) the applicant understands what is expected of her

c) their personal attributes match closely with those required for successful performance of the job

d) there is an effective induction and training

Guidelines for shortlistinga) agree essential criteria for those to be placed on the short list

b) selectors select individual preferences and try to look for strength

c) reveal list to others to obtain consensusd) discuss candidates and where there is no agreement make a decision

e) produce a final short list by discussion

Selection Methods

a) application forms

b) self assessmentc) telephone screening

d) interviews

e) assessment centres (employment agencies)

f) work sampling

g) references

h) testing

i) other methods

Current HRM interestsa) performance appraisal

b) leadershipc) team building

d) performance related pay

e) communication

f) suggestion schemes

g) psychometric testing

h) training

i) education


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