Organizational Behavior
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This comprehensive textbook provides an in-depth exploration of how individuals and groups behave within organizations, focusing on both theory and real-world application. Beginning with an introduction to organizational behavior (OB) and the evolution of college textbooks, it emphasizes the importance of understanding research methods, personal learning styles, and current workplace trends. The book progresses to key topics such as managing demographic and cultural diversity, individual differences and perception, attitudes, work behavior, and foundational motivation theories. It provides a dual emphasis on classic OB concepts and contemporary applications, such as job design, goal setting, and performance incentives.
Chapters on managing stress and emotions, communication, and team dynamics highlight the human and relational aspects of organizations. Practical frameworks for conflict resolution and decision-making are presented alongside insights into leadership theories and development. Later chapters delve into power dynamics, organizational politics, and the influence of social networks. The text concludes with a focus on structural and cultural dimensions of organizations, including how organizations adapt to change and cultivate unique workplace cultures.
Throughout, each chapter is enriched with relevant case studies—from companies like Zappos, IBM, and Nordstrom—to ground concepts in real business challenges and ethical considerations across diverse cultural contexts. Exercises at the end of each chapter offer opportunities for reflection and application, making this textbook a dynamic and engaging resource for students of management, psychology, or organizational studies.
Front Matter
1: Organizational Behavior
2: Managing Demographic and Cultural Diversity
3: Understanding People at Work: Individual Differences and Perception
4: Individual Attitudes and Behaviors
5: Theories of Motivation
6: Designing a Motivating Work Environment
7: Managing Stress and Emotions
8: Communication
9: Managing Groups and Teams
10: Conflict and Negotiations
11: Making Decisions
12: Leading People Within Organizations
13: Power and Politics
14: Organizational Structure and Change
15: Organizational Culture
Back Matter
Thumbnail: Organization in action (Unsplash license; Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash)