ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR - QUESTIONS

1.     Identify and explain the rationale for the study of organizational behavior

Answer:  The study of organizational behaviour facilitates the process of explaining, understanding predicting, maintaining, and changing employee behviour in an organizational setting. .

2.     Explain the basic tenets of the study and development of organizational behaiour

3.     Define the term organizational behavour and explain why Organizational behaviour is a horizontal discipline.

Answer:  Organizational Behaviour is the study and application of knowledge about how people, individuals and groups act in organizations.

Chapter Two:

4.     Is the practice of applying OB concepts to work settings based only on common sense? Explain in relation to managerial requirements

5.     Explain how the systems theory can enhance the manager’s effectiveness

6.     What knowledge about human behaviour in the workplace was uncovered by the Hawthorne Studies?

Chapter Four:

1.     The Behaviour of employees is considered to be highly predictable and stable.  Do you agree with this statement? Why?

2.     If everyone were alike, the task of managing organizations would be much easier.  Expatiate on this statement.

3.     Employees’ ability is one of the several factors influencing performance.  What other factors could be responsible?

Chapter Five

1.     Define perception, and explain the basic framework of operating as a cognitive process in the work place. 

2.     Distinguish between “Pygmalion Effect”  and “Golem Effect”

3.     Identify and explain the components of perception grouping and formation

4.     Explain the term attribution and the process of influencing individual’s work behaviour

Chapter Six

1.     What is the relationship between stress and personality? What aspect of personality might increase or decrease stress?

2.     Explain the major causes of organizational stress.  How can these be managed?

3.     Explain the possible outcomes and implicating of stressful situations of individuals in the organization.

Chapter Seven

1.     Compare and contrast Thorndike’s Law of Effect with that of Skinner’s Operant conditioning model in modifying behaviour

2.     What are the advantages and disadvantages of the application of each of positive and negative reinforcement in behaviour modification? Give 3 examples of each.

3.     What are the essential requirements for shaping job behaviour?

Chapter Eight

1.     What is the relationship between Abraham Maslow’s Motivation Theory and that of Alderfer?

2.     How has Frederick Herzberg’s hygiene theory provided a clue to effective management of human resource in organization?

Chapter Nine

1.     Define “Decision Making” – Distinguish between programmed and nonprogrammed decisions

2.     With hypothetical case, explain the application of a rational decision making process to an organization of your choice

3.     What factors can influence decision made by managers?

Chapter Ten

1.     Discuss the inevitable relationship between formal and informal group.  How should mangers take advantages of this relationship?

2.     What are the implications of group concepts? How can managers ensure team effectiveness?

3.     Identify five different types of group. Why do people join group?

Chapter Eleven

1.     What is the difference between Leadership and Management?

2.     Explain the need for the two

3.     What does the Trait Theory of Leadership try to profess?

4.     Discuss the Path –Goal Leadership Model.  How is this different from Heresy-Blanchard Situation Model?

5.     Transformational Leadership or Transactional Leadership, which is the more preferred to Nigerian Public Sector organizations? Substantiate with practical examples.

Chapter Twelve

1.     Organizational Structure and Design have always been important factors influencing the behaviour of individuals and groups that comprise the organization.  Expatiate on this statement, drawing relevant examples in Nigeria.

2.     How does a manager carry out the tasks of organizational structure and organizational design?

3.     What are the principles of Mechanistic Model of designing the structure of an organization?

Chapter Thirteen

1.     Define and explain the nature of a conflict

2.     What are the possible ways of responding to conflict? Which is best and why?

3.     What is the different between functional and dysfunctional conflict? What are the consequences?

4.     Explain the major causes of intergroup conflict. How can it be managed?

Chapter Fourteen

1.     Differentiate Power and Authority.  What are the sources of power?

2.     What is the relationship between Ethics, Power and Politics in Organization?

3.     How can a manager use power to attain goal?

Chapter Fifteen

1.     Define Organizational Culture.  Identify Organizations and explain their cultural manifestations

2.     Describe ways of creating organizational culture for effectiveness

3.     What are the stage, and impact of organizational socialization?

Chapter Sixteen

1.     Explain Lewin’s Change Model

2.     What are the internal and external forces of change? What implications do they pose for organizational growth