Question

Select a book that is not one of the required readings to be read during the next eight weeks. Provide a brief summary, no longer than a paragraph or two, as to why you have selected the book and how it relates to the study of organizational behavior and leadership.

Answer 1

The Book is Organisational Behaviour by V.G Kondalkar

Globalisation, technology advancement, open market system and desire of human beings to excel in the field one works has increased competitiveness and resultant work stress. Management of human behaviour and chanalizing it into correct direction has become important. Application of motivational theories, art of leadership and skill of redesigning jobs and modification to organisational structure is an on going process that facilitates positive work environment leading to increased job satisfaction of employees, greater productivity and organizational growth. Due to scientific advancement managing human resources is more challenging. It has been observed that everybody wants to catch up with next higher strata of life style. Social obligations have increased and so has increased the purchasing power, thanks to financial institutions who are doing a tremendous business of financing individuals. This situation has led to designing an appropriate situational model of managing human behaviour in varying conditions. There is no specific model for this purpose. There are however standard models of behaviour that can be modified depending upon the situation and applied in work settings. The traditional ways of managing organizations infact have fast diminished. New ways have emerged. The work is now being accomplished by work teams and work groups. Participative decision making, delegation, empowerment, TQM, flexible work time and many more such concepts have emerged. Redesigning of work and organizational structure, regrouping, mergers have become the order of the day. This has led to employees undergoing more stress. The book has attempted to solve issues mentioned above in a systematic manner. An attempt has been made to include various chapters that form the curricula of various universities across the country. The book is written in a simple language supported by case at the end of the chapter and various exercises on behavioural skills. The book has been thoroughly prepared in terms of contents and its application. New concepts of human behaviour have been included in the book. The book is intended for a wider readership. It is not only useful to students of MBA but also to the students of MA (psychology), students who have taken OB as one of the subjects for competitive examination, practicing HR executives and for common person who would like to implement behaviour modification. The book is also recommended for Defence Services Organizations with particular requirement of junior leaders to manage soldiers

The study of Organizational Behaviour (OB) is very interesting and challenging too. It is related to individuals, group of people working together in teams. The study becomes more challenging when situational factors interact. The study of organizational behaviour relates to the expected behaviour of an individual in the organization. No two individuals are likely to behave in the same manner in a particular work situation. It is the predictability of a manager about the expected behaviour of an individual. There are no absolutes in human behaviour. It is the human factor that is contributory to the productivity hence the study of human behaviour is important. Great importance therefore must be attached to the study. Researchers, management practitioners, psychologists, and social scientists must understand the very credentials of an individual, his background, social framework, educational update, impact of social groups and other situational factors on behaviour. Managers under whom an individual is working should be able to explain, predict, evaluate and modify human behaviour that will largely depend upon knowledge, skill and experience of the manager in handling large group of people in diverse situations. Preemptive actions need to be taken for human behaviour forecasting. The value system, emotional intelligence, organizational culture, job design and the work environment are important causal agents in determining human behaviour. Cause and effect relationship plays an important role in how an individual is likely to behave in a particular situation and its impact on productivity. An appropriate organizational culture can modify individual behaviour. Recent trends exist in laying greater stress on organizational development and imbibing a favourable organizational culture in each individual. It also involves fostering a team spirit and motivation so that the organizational objectives are achieved. There is a need for commitment on the part of the management that should be continuous and incremental in nature