Unit 947: Organizational Behavior

1. Introduction to Organizational Behavior

• Definition and scope of organizational behavior
• Historical evolution and key milestones
• Importance in understanding workplace dynamics
• Interdisciplinary nature of organizational behavior

2. Individual Behavior in Organizations

• Personality traits and their influence on behavior
• Attitudes and their components (cognitive, affective, behavioral)
• Motivation theories (Maslow, Herzberg, McGregor, etc.)
• Perception and attribution processes
• Individual decision-making styles

3. Group Dynamics and Teamwork

• Definition and stages of group development (forming, storming, norming, performing, adjourning)
• Roles and norms within groups
• Communication patterns in teams
• Conflict types and resolution strategies
• Impact of teamwork on organizational effectiveness

4. Leadership and Management Styles

• Overview of leadership theories (trait, behavioral, contingency, transformational, transactional)
• Management styles and their characteristics
• Comparing leadership and management
• Effectiveness of different styles in motivating employees
• Influence on organizational culture and performance

5. Organizational Culture and Climate

• Elements of organizational culture: values, norms, symbols, rituals
• Types of organizational culture (clan, adhocracy, market, hierarchy)
• Organizational climate vs. culture
• Impact on employee behavior and organizational success

6. Power and Politics in Organizations

• Sources of power (legitimate, reward, coercive, expert, referent)
• Political behavior and tactics in organizations
• Influence and persuasion techniques
• Ethical considerations in power use
• Effects on decision-making and organizational outcomes

7. Organizational Change and Development

• Nature and need for organizational change
• Models of change (Lewin’s, Kotter’s 8-step process)
• Resistance to change: causes and management
• Strategies for effective change implementation
• Organizational development interventions

8. Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

• Importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
• Managing diverse teams effectively
• Overcoming biases and barriers
• Creating a culture of belonging and respect
• Benefits of diversity on innovation and performance

9. Organizational Communication

• Role and importance of communication in organizations
• Communication channels: formal and informal
• Barriers to effective communication
• Techniques to improve interpersonal and organizational communication
• Feedback mechanisms and active listening

10. Employee Engagement and Job Satisfaction

• Definitions and distinction between engagement and satisfaction
• Factors influencing employee engagement (motivation, support, job design)
• Measuring engagement and satisfaction
• Impact on individual performance and organizational outcomes
• Strategies to enhance engagement and satisfaction