Management Concepts and Organisational Behaviour
Management Concepts and Organisational Behaviour
Unit-I Schools of Management Thought: Decision theory school; Quantitative and System
School; Contingency theory of management
Unit-I: Schools of Management Thought
Management thought has evolved over time, resulting in various schools of thought that offer
different perspectives on how to manage organizations effectively. Three significant schools
of management thought include the Decision Theory School, the Quantitative and System
School, and the Contingency Theory of Management.
Overview: The Decision Theory School focuses on the decision-making processes within an
organization. This school of thought considers decision-making as the central function of
management and emphasizes rational and systematic approaches to making choices.
Key Concepts:
Prominent Figures:
• Herbert A. Simon: Introduced the concept of bounded rationality and the stages of decision-
making.
• Chester Barnard: Emphasized the importance of acceptance theory of authority and the role
of executives in decision-making.
Overview: The Quantitative School and the Systems School, often considered together due
to their overlapping principles, emphasize the use of mathematical models, statistical
methods, and systemic thinking to solve management problems.
Key Concepts:
• Quantitative School:
o Operations Research (OR): The application of mathematical models, statistics, and
algorithms to aid decision-making and problem-solving.
o Management Science: Uses quantitative techniques to improve decision-making in
areas like logistics, production, and scheduling.
o Linear Programming: A method to achieve the best outcome in a mathematical
model whose requirements are represented by linear relationships.
• Systems School:
o System: A set of interrelated and interdependent parts arranged in a manner that
produces a unified whole.
o Systems Thinking: Understanding organizations as systems that transform inputs
into outputs through various processes.
o Open Systems: Organizations that interact with their environment and adapt to
changes.
o Feedback Loops: Mechanisms through which systems self-regulate and maintain
stability.
Prominent Figures:
• Ludwig von Bertalanffy: Developed General Systems Theory, which laid the foundation for
systems thinking.
• Jay W. Forrester: Known for his work in system dynamics and the application of systems
theory to business problems.
Key Concepts:
• Situational Variables: Factors that influence the effectiveness of managerial actions, such as
organizational size, environment, technology, and individual differences.
• Fit or Alignment: The effectiveness of management practices is contingent on how well they
align with situational variables.
• Flexibility and Adaptability: Managers must be adaptable and flexible to respond to
different situations and changing environments.
Prominent Figures:
• Fred Fiedler: Developed the Fiedler Contingency Model, which suggests that leadership
effectiveness depends on the match between a leader's style and the situation.
• Paul Lawrence and Jay Lorsch: Emphasized the importance of organizational differentiation
and integration in their contingency theory of organizations.
• Joan Woodward: Conducted research on the relationship between technology and
organizational structure, highlighting the need for different structures based on the type of
production technology.
Unit II Managerial Functions: Planning-concept, significance, types; Organizing concepts,
principles, theories, types of organizations; Staffing; Directing: Coordinating: Control nature,
process and techniques.
Unit II: Managerial Functions
Managerial functions encompass a wide range of activities that are essential for effectively
running an organization. These functions can be categorized into planning, organizing,
staffing, directing, coordinating, and controlling. Each function plays a crucial role in
achieving the organization's goals and ensuring smooth operations.
1. Planning
Concept: Planning is the process of setting objectives and determining the best course of
action to achieve these goals. It involves anticipating future conditions, identifying
opportunities and threats, and deciding on activities to be undertaken.
Significance:
• Provides Direction: Helps in setting clear objectives and guidelines for employees.
• Reduces Uncertainty: Anticipates changes in the environment and prepares for
contingencies.
• Resource Allocation: Ensures optimal use of resources by setting priorities.
• Performance Standards: Establishes benchmarks for measuring progress and performance.
• Facilitates Coordination: Aligns various activities and efforts towards common goals.
Types of Planning:
• Strategic Planning: Long-term planning that defines the overall direction of the organization.
Focuses on objectives and strategies for 3-5 years or more.
• Tactical Planning: Shorter-term planning that translates strategic plans into specific actions
and plans for departments or units. Typically spans 1-3 years.
• Operational Planning: Day-to-day planning that focuses on specific tasks and processes.
Involves detailed procedures and schedules for short periods, such as weeks or months.
• Contingency Planning: Preparing for unexpected events or emergencies. Involves identifying
potential risks and developing plans to address them.
2. Organizing
Principles:
Types of Organizations:
3. Staffing
Activities:
4. Directing
Concept: Directing involves leading, guiding, and motivating employees to perform their
tasks effectively and efficiently. It is about influencing people’s behavior to achieve
organizational goals.
Elements:
• Leadership: The ability to influence and inspire employees towards the achievement of
goals.
• Communication: Ensuring clear and effective exchange of information within the
organization.
• Motivation: Encouraging employees to perform at their best through incentives, recognition,
and support.
• Supervision: Overseeing employees' work to ensure it aligns with plans and standards.
5. Coordinating
Concept: Coordinating ensures that different departments and groups work together
harmoniously towards common goals. It involves integrating activities and efforts across the
organization.
Importance:
• Achieves Unity of Action: Aligns efforts of various units towards organizational objectives.
• Reduces Conflicts: Minimizes misunderstandings and overlaps in roles.
• Enhances Efficiency: Streamlines processes and eliminates redundancies.
• Improves Flexibility: Enables the organization to respond swiftly to changes.
6. Controlling
Nature:
Process:
Techniques:
Organizational Behavior (OB) is the study of how individuals and groups behave within an
organizational setting. It encompasses a wide range of topics including human behavior,
change, leadership, teams, and more.
1. Organizational Behavior Concept and Significance
Significance:
Management and Organizational Behavior are closely linked. While management involves
planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling organizational resources, OB focuses
on the human aspects within these managerial functions. The relationship can be summarized
as follows:
Emergence: The field of OB emerged from the early studies of human behavior in the
workplace during the industrial revolution. Key milestones include:
4. Perception
Concept: Perception is the process through which individuals interpret and organize sensory
information to produce a meaningful experience of the world. In an organizational context,
perception affects how employees view their work environment, colleagues, and
management.
Implications in OB:
5. Personality
Concept: Personality refers to the unique and stable patterns of behavior, thoughts, and
emotions shown by individuals. It is a key factor in determining how people behave at work.
Personality Traits:
Implications in OB:
• Job Fit: Matching personality traits with job requirements can improve job satisfaction and
performance.
• Leadership: Different personality traits influence leadership styles and effectiveness.
• Team Dynamics: Understanding personality differences can help in forming effective teams.
6. Transactional Analysis
• Ego States: Parent, Adult, and Child. Each state represents a system of thoughts, feelings,
and behaviors.
o Parent: Reflects values and norms learned from authority figures.
o Adult: Processes information objectively and rationally.
o Child: Represents emotions and behaviors from childhood.
Transactions:
Applications in OB:
1. Process of Motivation
The process of motivation involves several steps that lead an individual from recognizing a
need to taking action to satisfy it. The basic steps in the motivational process are:
1. Need Identification: The process begins when an individual recognizes an unsatisfied need
or desire.
2. Tension: The unmet need creates internal tension or drive.
3. Action: The individual engages in behavior or actions aimed at fulfilling the need.
4. Goal Achievement: The actions lead to achieving the goal or satisfying the need.
5. Feedback: The individual receives feedback about the effectiveness of their actions, which
can influence future behavior.
This cycle continues as new needs arise and drive further actions.
2. Theories of Motivation
Various theories of motivation explain why individuals behave in certain ways and what
drives them to take action. Key theories include:
Concept: Abraham Maslow proposed that human needs are arranged in a hierarchy, with
basic needs at the bottom and higher-level needs at the top. Individuals are motivated to
fulfill these needs in a sequential order, starting from the most basic to the highest.
Hierarchy Levels:
1. Physiological Needs: Basic survival needs such as food, water, shelter, and clothing.
2. Safety Needs: Security, stability, and protection from harm.
3. Social Needs: Belongingness, love, and social relationships.
4. Esteem Needs: Recognition, self-respect, and achievement.
5. Self-Actualization Needs: Realizing one's potential and self-fulfillment.
Implications:
• Managers should identify the current needs of their employees and create conditions that
help fulfill those needs.
• Organizations should provide opportunities for employees to achieve higher-level needs,
such as recognition and personal growth.
Concept: Douglas McGregor proposed two contrasting views of human motivation and
management: Theory X and Theory Y.
• Theory X:
o Assumes employees are inherently lazy, dislike work, and must be coerced or
controlled to perform.
o Emphasizes strict supervision, control, and a pessimistic view of human nature.
o Managers who subscribe to Theory X tend to use authoritarian management styles.
• Theory Y:
o Assumes employees are self-motivated, enjoy work, and seek responsibility.
o Emphasizes a participative management style, encouraging autonomy and creativity.
o Managers who subscribe to Theory Y focus on creating a supportive environment
that fosters personal growth and development.
Implications:
• Adopting Theory Y principles can lead to higher employee motivation and job satisfaction.
• Managers should create a work environment that encourages participation, responsibility,
and self-direction.
Implications:
• Managers should focus on improving both hygiene factors and motivators to enhance overall
job satisfaction.
• While addressing hygiene factors can prevent dissatisfaction, incorporating motivators can
drive employees to higher levels of performance and job satisfaction.
Unit V Leadership: Concept; Leadership style; Theories trait theory, behavioral theory.
Managerial grid: Likert's four systems of leadership.
Unit V: Leadership
1. Concept of Leadership
Leadership is the process of influencing and directing the behavior of individuals or groups
towards achieving specific objectives. It involves setting a vision, motivating and inspiring
people, and creating an environment that encourages high performance and innovation.
2. Leadership Styles
Leadership styles refer to the different approaches leaders use to interact with their teams and
manage tasks. Some common leadership styles include:
A. Autocratic Leadership:
B. Democratic Leadership:
C. Laissez-Faire Leadership:
• Leaders provide minimal direction and allow team members to make decisions.
• Suitable for highly skilled and self-motivated teams.
• Can lead to lack of direction and coordination if not managed properly.
D. Transformational Leadership:
E. Transactional Leadership:
3. Theories of Leadership
A. Trait Theory: Trait Theory suggests that certain inherent traits and characteristics make
an effective leader. This theory identifies specific qualities and attributes such as intelligence,
self-confidence, determination, integrity, and sociability that are associated with successful
leadership.
Key Traits:
B. Behavioral Theory: Behavioral Theory focuses on the behaviors and actions of leaders
rather than their traits. It suggests that effective leadership can be learned and developed
through specific behaviors.
Key Behaviors:
• Task-Oriented Behaviors: Emphasis on task completion, setting clear goals, and defining
roles.
• People-Oriented Behaviors: Emphasis on building relationships, supporting team members,
and creating a positive work environment.
The Managerial Grid, developed by Robert Blake and Jane Mouton, is a model that identifies
different leadership styles based on a leader’s concern for people and concern for production.
Dimensions:
• Concern for People: The degree to which a leader considers team members' needs,
interests, and development.
• Concern for Production: The degree to which a leader emphasizes task accomplishment and
organizational efficiency.
• Impoverished Management (1,1): Low concern for people and production. Minimal effort to
get work done.
• Country Club Management (1,9): High concern for people, low concern for production.
Focus on creating a comfortable work environment.
• Task Management (9,1): High concern for production, low concern for people. Focus on task
completion and efficiency.
• Middle-of-the-Road Management (5,5): Moderate concern for both people and production.
Balances task accomplishment and employee needs.
• Team Management (9,9): High concern for both people and production. Encourages
participation, trust, and high performance.
Rensis Likert identified four distinct systems of management, each representing a different
leadership style and organizational climate.
System 1: Exploitative-Authoritative:
• Leaders have low concern for people and high concern for tasks.
• Decision-making is centralized, and communication is top-down.
• Motivates through fear and punishment.
System 2: Benevolent-Authoritative:
• Leaders have a moderate concern for people but still maintain control.
• Decision-making remains centralized, but some input from subordinates is allowed.
• Motivates through rewards and occasional punishment.
System 3: Consultative:
• Leaders have a higher concern for people and moderate concern for tasks.
• Decision-making is more participative, with substantial input from subordinates.
• Motivates through rewards, consultation, and participation.
System 4: Participative-Group:
Unit VI Organizational Conflict: Dynamics and management: Sources, patterns, levels and
types of conflicts: Traditional and modern approaches to conflict: Functional and
dysfunctional organizational conflicts; Resolutions of conflict.
Unit VI: Organizational Conflict
Sources of Conflict:
Patterns of Conflict:
Levels of Conflict:
Types of Conflicts:
• Task Conflict: Disagreements about the content and goals of the work.
• Relationship Conflict: Personal incompatibilities and emotional tensions.
• Process Conflict: Disagreements about the logistics and delegation of task responsibilities.
Traditional Approach:
Modern Approach:
• Recognizes that conflict can be both positive (functional) and negative (dysfunctional).
• Emphasizes open communication, collaboration, and problem-solving.
• Focuses on addressing the root causes of conflict and finding mutually beneficial solutions.
Functional Conflict:
Dysfunctional Conflict:
5. Resolutions of Conflict
• Negotiation: Direct discussions between parties to reach a mutually acceptable solution. Can
be integrative (win-win) or distributive (win-lose).
• Mediation: Involvement of a neutral third party to facilitate communication and offer
solutions.
• Arbitration: A third party makes a binding decision to resolve the conflict.
• Collaboration: Parties work together to find a win-win solution that satisfies all involved.
• Compromise: Each party gives up something to reach a middle-ground solution.
• Avoidance: Ignoring or avoiding the conflict, which may be appropriate for minor issues.
• Accommodation: One party gives in to the other’s demands, often to preserve harmony.
Effective communication is vital for the success of any organization. It facilitates the
exchange of information, ensures clarity of objectives, and fosters positive relationships. This
unit covers the concepts of two-way communication, the communication process, barriers to
effective communication, types of organizational communication, ways to improve
communication, and the role of transactional analysis in communication.
2. Communication Process
The communication process consists of several key steps that ensure the effective exchange
of information:
1. Sender: The person or entity that initiates the communication.
2. Encoding: The process of translating thoughts or ideas into a communicable form, such as
words, symbols, or gestures.
3. Message: The actual content or information being conveyed.
4. Channel: The medium through which the message is transmitted (e.g., verbal, written,
electronic).
5. Receiver: The person or entity to whom the message is directed.
6. Decoding: The process by which the receiver interprets and understands the message.
7. Feedback: The response from the receiver back to the sender, indicating whether the
message was understood.
8. Noise: Any external or internal interference that can distort or disrupt the message during
transmission.
Barriers to communication can hinder the effective exchange of information. These barriers
can be:
Physical Barriers:
Psychological Barriers:
• Personal biases, emotions, and attitudes that affect how messages are sent and received.
Language Barriers:
Organizational Barriers:
Cultural Barriers:
Perceptual Barriers:
Technological Barriers:
• Issues related to the use of technology, such as technical difficulties or lack of access to
communication tools.
Internal Communication:
• Vertical Communication: Flow of information up and down the organizational hierarchy
(e.g., manager to employee).
• Horizontal Communication: Flow of information across the same level of the organization
(e.g., between departments or teams).
• Diagonal Communication: Communication between different levels and departments that
are not directly connected (e.g., an employee communicating with a manager from another
department).
External Communication:
Formal Communication:
• Structured communication that follows official channels and protocols (e.g., reports, memos,
emails).
Informal Communication:
• Unstructured and spontaneous communication that occurs naturally among employees (e.g.,
casual conversations, social interactions).
5. Improving Communication
Active Listening:
• Encouraging active listening skills to ensure that messages are accurately received and
understood.
Feedback Mechanisms:
Technology Utilization:
• Parent: Behaviors, thoughts, and feelings copied from parents or authority figures.
o Critical Parent: Judgmental and controlling.
o Nurturing Parent: Supportive and caring.
• Adult: Behaviors, thoughts, and feelings that are direct responses to the here and now,
rational and objective.
• Child: Behaviors, thoughts, and feelings replayed from childhood.
o Free Child: Spontaneous and playful.
o Adapted Child: Conformist and compliant.
Transactions:
Applications in Communication:
• Improving Self-Awareness: Helps individuals recognize their own communication styles and
ego states.
• Enhancing Interpersonal Relationships: Facilitates understanding and managing interactions
with others.
• Resolving Conflicts: Identifies the root causes of communication breakdowns and provides
strategies to address them.
Unit VIII Organizational Development: Concepts; Need for change; resistance to change:
Theories of planned changes: Organizational diagnosis; OD intervention.
Unit VIII: Organizational Development
Key Concepts:
3. Resistance to Change
• Fear of the Unknown: Uncertainty about the impact of change on job security, roles, or
responsibilities.
• Lack of Trust: Mistrust in management or concerns about fairness and transparency.
• Comfort with the Status Quo: Resistance to leaving familiar routines, processes, or ways of
working.
• Perceived Loss: Resistance due to perceived loss of control, autonomy, or personal benefits.
• Organizational Culture: Cultural norms or values that resist change or innovation.
• Communication: Transparent and open communication about the reasons for change,
benefits, and expected outcomes.
• Involvement: Involving employees in the change process through participation, feedback,
and collaboration.
• Education and Training: Providing training and support to build skills and confidence in
adopting new practices.
• Supportive Leadership: Leadership that listens to concerns, provides reassurance, and
models the desired behaviors.
• Incentives and Rewards: Recognizing and rewarding individuals or teams who embrace
change and contribute to its success.
• Unfreeze: Creating awareness of the need for change and preparing the organization by
unfreezing existing behaviors and attitudes.
• Change: Implementing new practices, processes, or structures to achieve the desired
outcomes.
• Refreeze: Reinforcing and stabilizing the change to make it a permanent part of the
organizational culture and operations.
1. Create Urgency: Develop a compelling reason and sense of urgency for change.
2. Form a Powerful Coalition: Form a team of influential individuals to lead and support the
change effort.
3. Create a Vision for Change: Communicate a clear vision and strategy for achieving the
desired outcomes.
4. Communicate the Vision: Constantly communicate the vision and rationale behind the
change to stakeholders.
5. Remove Obstacles: Identify and address barriers or obstacles that hinder the change
process.
6. Create Short-Term Wins: Celebrate and recognize early successes to build momentum and
confidence.
7. Build on the Change: Continue to implement and build on the change initiatives.
8. Anchor the Changes in Corporate Culture: Ensure that the changes are integrated into the
organizational culture and practices.
5. Organizational Diagnosis
• Surveys and Questionnaires: Gathering feedback from employees and stakeholders about
organizational issues and perceptions.
• Interviews and Focus Groups: Conducting interviews and group discussions to explore
concerns, opinions, and suggestions for improvement.
• Observations: Direct observation of organizational processes, interactions, and behaviors to
identify issues and areas for improvement.
• Document Analysis: Reviewing organizational documents, reports, and performance data to
gain insights into organizational effectiveness.
6. OD Intervention
OD Intervention: OD Interventions are planned activities or programs designed to facilitate
organizational change and development. They aim to address specific issues identified
through organizational diagnosis and achieve desired outcomes.
Types of OD Interventions: