Questions and Answers of Organizational Behaviour Concepts

This case looks at a researcher who was keen to investigate how to lead to bring about change in a democratic way. Kurt Lewin and his associates were keen to demonstrate the advantages of democratic
It is in the interest of organizations to try to manage the perceptions that people have of them as employers. Goldman Sachs and Pfizer are companies that appear to be trying to change perceptions of
The following is a real-life example of an individual who did some learning from experience at work.Annabel Brown, an academic, was passed over for promotion in favour of afar less qualified male
In the following description of one company’s culture, Schein (1990; 112) argues that it is possible for a group to hold conflicting values that manifest themselves in inconsistent behaviour while
The following case study highlights some of the problems that may arise when implementing teamworking.StitchCo was a family-owned, single-brand company manufacturing garments for retail stores. Under
How accessible and affordable is childcare for working parents? The Daycare Trust, a charity, found that the annual cost of full-time childcare for a child under the age of 2 in 2012 was, on average,
ArbreCorp Ltee is a sawmill operation in Quebec that is owned by a major forest products company but operates independently of the parent company. It was built 30 years ago, and completely updated
ArbreCorp Ltee is a sawmill operation in Quebec that is owned by a major forest products company but operates independently of the parent company. It was built 30 years ago, and completely updated
Over the past 15 years, Volkswagen Group (VW) acquired several fiefdoms- Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti, Skoda, SEAT - that jealously guarded their brand and continuously rebelled against
For Gilles LaCroix, there is nothing quite as beautiful as a handcrafted wood-framed window. LaCroix's passion for windows goes back to his youth in St. Jean, Quebec, where he was taught how to make
In 1979, Larry Merritt and his wife Bobbie bought The Cake Box, a small business located in a tiny 42-square metre store in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The couple were the only employees. "I would make cakes
Spanish retail fashion juggernaut Zara is the flagship brand of the world's largest clothing retail company (lnditex, which also owns Pull & Bear, Stradivarius, and other brands). What is the secret
Paul Simard was delighted when Ancol Ltd. offered him the job of manager at its Jonquiere, Quebec plant. Simard was happy enough managing a small metal stamping plant with another company, but the
The CEO and two other executives at an automotive parts manufacturer were recently fired after being charged with fixing prices on several key automotive parts sold to the auto industry. Executives
Bribery of foreign public officials, conspiracy to commit fraud and forgery, money laundering, possessing property obtained by crime, and attempts to secretly smuggle the son of a former dictator
A high-performance company has launched a "total focus" initiative that requires all employees to give complete attention and dedication to the company's growth and success. In an email to all staff
Syd Gilman read the latest sales figures with a great deal of satisfaction. The vice-president of marketing at Hy Dairies Ltd., a large Canadian milk products manufacturer, was pleased to see that
Diana Gillen had an uneasy feeling of apprehension as she arrived at the Cobb Street Grille corporate offices. Today she was meeting with her supervisor, Julie Spencer, and regional director, Tom
What is the diference between behaviourism and psychoanalysis?
Identify the disciplines that contribute to organizational behaviour and assess the signifcance of psychology as a contributory discipline.
How infuential was early industrial psychology in increasing our knowledge of the behaviour of people in organizations?
Discuss major theoretical or empirical developments in the evolution of organizational behaviour.
Examine the major issues afecting contemporary organizations.
Explain the rationale for the diferent branches of psychology using diferent techniques when applying the scientifc method.
Consider the most appropriate research methodology to use when conducting a study of the motivation of sales representatives.
In what way does adherence to an ethical code infuence the approach of the organizational psychologist?
What is meant by the terms “personality” and “proactive personality”?
Examine the usefulness of the psychoanalytical perspective.
What are projective tests?
Define a trait, giving examples of different categories of traits.
What significance is attached to trait and type analysis in an employment setting?
Assess the significance of the “Big Five” factor theory.
What variables are considered in the situational theory of personality?
What is the relationship between personal construct theory and the repertory grid?
Discuss the difference between reinforcement and socialization in the context of a behavioural perspective on personality.
Define the following terms: (a) compliant strategy; (b) internal–external locus of control; (c) selfefcacy; (d) self-monitoring; (e) sensation-seeking; and (f) field dependency–independency.
Discuss the difference between personality and intelligence.
Outline the “models of intelligence”, and identify a particular model that appeals to you, giving reasons for your choice.
Assess the significance of emotional intelligence in the contemporary world of work.
Describe the ways in which intelligence is measured, and comment on the controversy over its measurement.
Discuss the relative importance of genetic inheritance and a person’s environment as factors influencing intelligence.
Distinguish between achievement and aptitude tests, and comment on their usefulness in a business organisation.
Identify a major personality test and assess its usefulness in an employment setting.
Discuss the usefulness of psychological testing.
Why is there a need for integrity tests?
What ethical considerations ought to be considered in connection with psychological testing?
What is the difference between recruitment and selection?
Describe the sources of job analysis data.
Distinguish between a job description and a job specification.
What is meant by an assessment centre?
Explain an unstructured selection interview.
What issues should be considered in writing references for employees?
Assess the significance of telephone screening and use of the Internet in employee selection.
What is understood by the “applicant–organization ft” approach to the selection interview?
Comment on graphology as a selection method.
Discuss the issue of fairness and an ethical approach in employee selection.
Explain the terms “criterion” and “predictor” with respect to the validity of selection methods.
Specify the goals of performance appraisal, and state how a developmental evaluation differs from a judgmental one.
What do we mean by criteria in the context of performance appraisal?
Having reviewed the major appraisal techniques, rank them in order of importance from your point of view.
Comment on (a) self-appraisal, (b) appraisal of superiors by subordinates, and (c) the 360-degree system.
Define the following terms: (a) convergent validity; (b) central tendency; (c) construct validity; (d) feedback interview; and (e) adverse impact.
How does one go about tackling the problems of appraisal?
Identify the conditions necessary for a successful performance appraisal system.
Explain what is meant by team appraisal.
Illustrate what is meant by needs, motives, drives, arousal, and goals or incentives.
In what circumstances is frustration likely to generate destructive behaviour?
Examine the similarities between any two content theories of motivation.
What is the significance of cognitive evaluation theory when examining the relative importance of intrinsic and extrinsic rewards?
Select any cognitive theory of motivation and explore its application in an organizational setting.
Assess the value of equity theory.
Distinguish between procedural justice and distributive justice in the context of equity theory.
Why is reinforcement theory – a learning theory – considered in the context of motivation?
Why should we consider affective events theory (AET) when trying to understand work motivation?
Discuss the suggestion that US culture is paramount in the development of motivation theories.
Has the theory of “purposeful work behaviour” any significance when it comes to integrating personality and motivation theories.
Examine the range of theories underpinning job design, noting any shortcomings.
Why should one consider autonomous work groups, empowerment, and lean production systems when addressing issues connected with job design?
Highlight signifcant points in the debate about the impact of new technology on job design, in particular recent developments in AI and automation.
Contrast the dual-factor theory approach to job design with that of the job characteristics model.
Comment on worker fexibility, work schedules, and telecommuting in the context of job design.
Explain what is meant by self-efcacy and social identity in a motivational context.
Defne extrinsic rewards and specify the purpose and philosophy of reward systems.
What are the diferences between the quantitative and non-quantitative approaches to job evaluation?
In what way does the type of reward system known as payment by results differ from performance-related pay?
What steps can the business executive take to attract the attention of the target audience?
What significance is attached to the organization of perception from an occupational perspective?
What do we mean by sensory adaptation? Assess its significance in any business context.
Discuss the role of subliminal perception in a marketing context.
Why is it necessary to consider the disposition of the perceiver in the process of perception?
What do we mean by the concept of illusions in the feld of perception? Illustrate your answer with suitable examples.
Identify the factors likely to give rise to the misinterpretation of information as part of the perceptual process.
What significance do you attach to the brand image of a product in the context of perceptual interpretation?
Examine some adverse repercussions likely to arise from perceptual errors or misperceptions.
What insights derived from interpersonal perception should a sales representative take into account when concerned with improving his or her social or communication skills.
Explain what is meant by: (a) attribution theory; and (b) impression management.
What is the significance of stereotyping in person perception?
Explain what is meant by extra-sensory perception.
Explore the connection between communication and perception.
Identify the modes of communication within organizations.

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