Question

There are FOUR (4) main key elements in Organisational Behaviour (OB) namely; People, Structure, Technology and Environment. There is an interaction of people, structure, and technology and these elements are influenced by the environment.

Explain the connection between these four elements.

Answer 1

Organizational behaviour is affected by four key forces: People, Structure, Technology, and Environment. There is an interaction between the first three forces mentioned which in turn are collectively influenced by the organizational Environment.

People make up the internal social system of the organization. It consists of individuals and groups, both large and small, as well as formal and informal. An organization is a combination of people with different backgrounds, and it is the duty of the managers to interact and guide them on the right path.

Structure refers to the formal relationship and the way people are utilized in the organization. Managers and employees are assigned to accomplish different tasks. They are related structurally to enable coordination because no organization can succeed without effective coordination between its people. The structure can be flat or complex and the people need to perform their duties accordingly.

Technology provides the resources that people require to work efficiently and maintain the effective structure of the organization. The technology has a significant influence on working relationships as it improves efficiency in communication. It enables people to interact effectively especially in the manufacturing industry.

Environment is probably the biggest influencer of an organization’s activities. A single organization does not exist as a lone entity but is part of a larger system containing many elements that interact with each other. Citizens expect the organization to be socially responsible and every element within the organization such as its people, its structure, and its technology utilization should align with the expectation of its customers. Thus, every element of the organization influences the attitude of the organization.