PMOB R22 Notes Kusuma
PMOB R22 Notes Kusuma
UNIT - I
INTRODUCTION TO MANAGEMENT
INTRODUCTION
In the present context, managing has become one of the most important areas of human activity
because of increasing role of large and complex organisations in the society. Because of their
increasing role, the organisations have attracted the attention of both practitioners and
academicians to find out the solutions for business problems.
Concept
Defining the term management precisely is not so simple because the term management is used in
a variety of ways. Being a new discipline, it has drawn concepts and principles from a number of
disciplines such as economics, sociology, psychology, anthropology, statistics and so on.
Each group of contributors has treated management differently. For example, economists have
treated management as a factor of production; sociologists have treated it as a class or group of
persons; practitioners have treated it as a process comprising different activities.
DEFINITION :
“Management is the art of getting things done through and with people in formally organized
groups” --- Koontz
“Management is the art of knowing what you want to do and then seeing that it is done in the best
and cheapest way” – F.W. Taylor
“Management is the art of securing maximum results with minimum effort so as to secure
maximum prosperity and happiness for both employer and employee and give the public the best
possible service” --- John Mee.
“Management is simply the process of decision making and control over the action of human
beings for the expressed purpose of attaining pre-determined goals” – Stanley V.
IMPORTANCE OF MANAGEMENT :
Management has been important to the daily lives of people and to the organisations. The
importance of management may be traces with the following.
FUNCTIONS OF MANAGEMENT :
To achieve the organisational objectives managers at all levels of organization should perform
different functions. A function is a group of similar activities.
The list of management functions varies from author to author with the number of functions varying
from three to eight.
Planning,Organising,Motivating,Coordinating, Controlling
Planning,Organising,Staffing,Leading, Controlling
Different authors presented different variations. By combining some of the functions, these
are broadly grouped into Planning, Organising, Staffing, Directing, and Controlling.
1) Planning: Planning is the conscious determination of future course of action. This involves
why an action, what action, how to take action, and when to take action. Thus, planning
includes determination of specific objectives, determining projects and programs, setting
policies and strategies, setting rules and procedures and preparing budgets.
2) Organising: Organising is the process of dividing work into convenient tasks or duties,
grouping of such duties in the form of positions, grouping of various positions into
departments and sections, assigning duties to individual positions, and delegating authority
to each positions so that the work is carried out as planned. It is viewed as a bridge
connecting the conceptual idea developed in creating and planning to the specific means
for accomplishment these ideas.
3) Staffing: Staffing involves manning the various positions created by the organizing
process. It includes preparing inventory of personal available and identifying the sources of
people, selecting people, training and developing them, fixing financial compensation,
appraising them periodically etc.
4) Directing: when people are available in the organization, they must know what they are
expected to do in the organization. Superior managers fulfill this requirement by
communicating to subordinates about their expected behavior. Once subordinates are
oriented, the superiors have continuous responsibility of guiding and leading them for
better work performance and motivating them to
work with zeal and enthusiasm. Thus, directing includes communicating, motivating and
leading.
“Scientific management is concerned with knowing exactly what you want to do and then see in
that they do it in the best and cheapest way”
Since Taylor has put the emphasis on solving managerial problems in a scientific way, often, he is
called as father of scientific management and his contributions as the principles of scientific
management. Taylor carried experiments about how to increase the efficiency of people. On the
basis of experiments, he published many papers and books and all his contributions were compiled
in his book “scientific management”. His contributions are divided into two parts.
1) Separation of planning & doing: Taylor emphasized the separation of planning aspect
from actual doing of the work. In other words planning should be left to the supervisor and
the worker should concentrate only operational work.
2) Functional foremanship: Taylor introduced the concept of functional foremanship based
on specialization of functions. In this system, eight persons are involved to direct the
activities of workers. Out of these four persons are concerned with planning viz., route
clerk, instruction card clerk, time and cost clerk and disciplinarian. The remaining four
persons are concerned with doing aspect of the job, viz., speed boss, inspector, gang boss
and maintenance foreman. It is against to the principle of unity of command.
1) Job Analysis: It is useful to find out the one best way of doing the things. The best way of
doing a job is one which requires the least movements, consequently less time and cost.
The best way of doing the thing can be determined by taking up time – motion - fatigue
studies.
Time study involves the determination of time a movement takes to complete.
Motion study involves the study of movements in parts which are involved in doing
a job and thereby eliminating the wasteful movements.
Fatigue study shows the amount and frequency of rest required in completing the
work.
Thus, job analysis identifies the fair amount of a day’s work requiring certain movements
and rest periods to complete it.
2) Standardization: As far as possible, standardization should be maintained in respect of
instruments and tools, period of work, amount of work, working conditions, cost of
production etc.,. These things should be fixed in advance on the basis of job analysis and
various elements of costs that in performing a work.
3) Scientific selection and training of workers: Taylor has suggested that workers should be
selected on scientific basis taking into account their education, work experience, aptitude,
physical strength, etc., A worker should be given work for which he is physically and
technically most suitable. Apart from selection, proper training should be provided to
workers to make them more effective and efficient.
4) Financial Incentives: Financial incentives can motivate workers to put intheir maximum
efforts. If provisions exist to earn higher wages by putting in extra effort, workers will be
motivated to earn more. Taylor himself applied the concept of differential piece rate
system which was highly motivating. According to this scheme, a worker who completes
the normal work gets wages at higher rate per piece and one who does not complete gets at
lower rate.
5) Economy: while applying scientific management, not only scientific and technical
aspects should be considered but adequate consideration should be given to economy and
profit. The economy and profit can be achieved by making the resources more productive
as well as by eliminating the wastages.
1) Replacing rule of thumb with science: According to Taylor, exactness of various aspects
of work like day’s fair work, standardization in work, differential piece rate for payment,
etc.., is the basic core of scientific management, it is essential that all these are measured
precisely and should not be based on mere estimates.
2) Harmony in group action: Taylor has pointed out that attempts should be made to obtain
harmony in group action rather than discord. Group harmony suggests that there should be
mutual give and take situation and proper understanding so that group as a whole
contributes to the maximum.
3) Co-operation: Scientific management involves achieving cooperation rather than chaotic
individualism. It is based on mutual confidence, co-operation and goodwill. Co-operation
between management and workers can be developed through mutual understanding and a
change in thinking.
4) Maximum output: scientific management involves continuous increase in production and
productivity instead of restricted production either by management or by worker. Taylor
heated inefficiency and deliberate curtailment of production.
In his opinion, “there is no worse crime to my mind than that of deliberately restricting
output”
5) Development of workers: all workers should be developed to the fullest extent possible
for their own and for the company’s highest prosperity. Training should be provided to the
workers to keep them fully fit according to the requirement of new methods of working
which may be different from non- scientific methods.
1. Division of work: It is helpful to take the advantage of specialization. Here, the work is
divided among the members of the group based on the employees skills and talents. It can be
applied at all levels of the organization.
2. Authority and Responsibility: Fayol finds authority as a continuation of official and personal
factors. Official authority is derived from the manager’s position and personal authority is
derived from personal qualities such as intelligence, experience, moral worth, past services,
etc., Responsibility arises out of assignment of activity. In order to discharge the responsibility
properly, there should be parity between authority and responsibility.
3. Discipline: All the personal serving in an organization should be disciplined. Discipline is
obedience, application, behavior and outward mark of respect shown by employees.
4. Unity of Command: Unity of command means that a person should get orders from only one
superior. Fayol has considered unity of command as an important aspect in managing an
organization. He says that “should it be violated, authority is undermined, discipline is in
jeopardy, order disturbed, and stability threatened.”
5. Unity of Direction: According to this principle, each group of activities with the same
objective must have one head and one plan. It is concerned with functioning of the
organization I respect of grouping of activities or planning. Unity of direction provides better
coordination among various activities to be undertaken by an organization.
6. Subordination of individual interest to general interest: Individual interest must be
subordinate to general interest when there is conflict between the two. However factors like
ambition, laziness, weakness, etc., tend to reduce the importance of general interest. Therefore,
superiors should set an example in fairness and goodness.
7. Remuneration to Personnel: Remuneration to employees should be fair and provide
maximum possible satisfaction to employees and employers. Fayol did not favor profit sharing
plan for workers but advocated it for managers. He was also in favor of non-financial benefits.
8. Centralization: Everything which goes to increase the importance of subordinate’s role is
decentralization; everything which goes to reduce it is centralization. The degree of
centralization or decentralization is determined bythe needs of the company.
9. Scalar Chain: There should be a scalar chain of authority and of communication ranging from
the highest to the lowest. It suggests that each communication going up or coming down must
flow through each position in the line of authority. It can be short-circuited only in special
circumstances. For this purpose, Fayol has suggested ‘gang plank’
10. Order: This is a principle relating to the arrangement of things and people. In material order,
there should be a place for everything and everything should be in its place. Similarly, in social
order, there should be the right man in the right place.
11. Equity: Equity is the combination of justice and kindness. Equity in treatment and behavior is
liked by everyone and it brings loyalty in the organization. The application of equity requires
good sense, experience and good nature.
12. Stability of tenure: No employee should be removed within short time. There should be
reasonable security of jobs. Stability of tenure is essential to get an employee accustomed to
new work and succeeding in doing it well
13. Initiative: Within the limits of authority and discipline, managers should encourage their
employees for taking initiative. Initiative is concerned with thinking out and execution of a
plan. Initiative increases zeal and energy on the part of human beings.
14. Esprit de corps: It is the principle of ‘union is strength’ and extension of unity of command
for establishing team work. The manager should encourage esprit de corps among his
employees.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF MANAGEMENT :
Government
Social Shareholder
or it’s
Responsibilities s or
Administrati
of Management Investors
ve Bodies
Consumers
or Employees
Customers or Workers
Motivation
Definition : Motivation refers to a process of inducing and stimulating an individual to act in a certain
manner.In the context of an organization, motivation implies encouraging and urging the employees to
perform to the best of their capabilities so as to achieve the desired goals of the organization.
Physiological needs: The Physiological needs are at the top of hierarchy because they tend to have the
highest strength until they are reasonably satisfied. Until these needs are satisfied to the degree needed for
the efficient operation of the body, the majority of a person’s activities will probably at this level, and the
other level will provide him with little motivation.
A famous saying ‘man can live on bread alone if there is no bread’ suggests that man first try to acquire
necessities for their survival.
Safety/Security Needs: Once physiological needs are satisfied to a reasonable level, the next level in the
hierarchy is safety. Safety means being free of physical danger or self- preservation. In the industrial
society, employee can be motivated through either positive action like pension plan, insurance plan etc...
Or negative actions like laid off or demotions.
Social (Acceptance or Affiliation) Needs: After the first two needs are satisfied, social needs become
important in the need hierarchy. Since man is a social being, he has a need to belong and to be accepted by
various groups. In the organization, workers form informal group environment to support unfulfilled social
needs such as affiliation.
Esteem Needs: These needs are concerned with self respect, self confidence, a feeling of personal worth,
feeling of being unique and recognition. Satisfaction of these needs produces feelings of self confidence,
prestige, power and control. These needs are satisfied through adaptive behavior, matured behavior or with
irresponsible actions.
Self-actualization Needs: It is the need to maximize ones potential, whatever it may be. It is related with
the development of intrinsic capabilities which lead people to seek situations that can utilize their potential.
This includes competence which implies control over environmental factors both physical and social and
achievement.
Conclusion: Maslow suggests that the various levels are interdependent and overlapping, each higher level
need emerging before the lower level need has been completely satisfied. Since one need does not
disappear when another emerges, all needs tend to be partially satisfied in each area.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
SA
Esteem
Social
Physiological
Frederick Hertzberg conducted a structured interview programme to analyse the experience and feelings of
200 engineers and accountants in nine different companies in Pittsburg area, U.S.A during the structured
interview, they were asked to describe a few previous job experiences in which they felt ‘exceptionally
good’ or exceptionally bad about jobs.
In his analysis, he found that there are some job conditions which operate primarily to dissatisfy employees
when the conditions are absent, however their presence does not motivate them in a strong way. Another
set of job conditions operates primarily to build strong motivation and high job satisfaction, but their
absence rarely proves strongly dissatisfying.
The first set of job conditions has been referred to as maintenance or hygiene factors and second set of job
conditions as motivational factors.
Hygiene Factors:
According to Hertzberg, there are 10 maintenance factors. These are company policy and administration,
technical supervision, salary, job security, personal life, status, working conditions, interpersonal
relationship with superiors, interpersonal relationship with peers and interpersonal relationship with
subordinates.
These maintenance factors are necessary to maintain at a reasonable level of satisfaction in employees. Any
increase beyond this level will not produce any satisfaction to the employees: however, any cut below this
level will dissatisfy them.
Motivational Factors:
These factors are capable of having a positive effect on job satisfaction often resulting in an increase in
ones total output. Hertzberg includes six factors that motivate employees. These are achievement,
recognition, advancement; work itself, possibility of growth and responsibility.
Most of the above factors are related with job contents. An increase in these factors will satisfy the
employees: however, any decrease in these factors will not affect their level of satisfaction. Since, these
increased level of satisfaction in the employees, can be used in motivating them for higher output.
The idea that a manager’s attitude has an impact on employee motivation was originally proposed
by Douglas McGregor, a management professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology during the
1950s and 1960s. In his 1960 book, The Human Side of Enterprise, McGregor proposed two theories by
which managers perceive and address employee motivation. He referred to these opposing motivational
methods as Theory X and Theory Y management. Each assumes that the manager’s role is to organize
resources, including people, to best benefit the company. However, beyond this commonality, the attitudes
and assumptions they embody are quite different.
Theory X
According to McGregor, Theory X management assumes the following:
Work is inherently distasteful to most people, and they will attempt to avoid work whenever
possible.
Most people are not ambitious, have little desire for responsibility, and prefer to be directed.
Most people have little aptitude for creativity in solving organizational problems.
Motivation occurs only at the physiological and security levels of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
Most people are self-centered. As a result, they must be closely controlled and often coerced to
achieve organizational objectives.
Most people resist change.
Most people are gullible and unintelligent.
Essentially, Theory X assumes that the primary source of employee motivation is monetary, with security
as a strong second. Under Theory X, one can take a hard or soft approach to getting results.
The hard approach to motivation relies on coercion, implicit threats, micromanagement, and tight
controls— essentially an environment of command and control. The soft approach, however, is to be
permissive and seek harmony in the hopes that, in return, employees will cooperate when asked. However,
neither of these extremes is optimal. The hard approach results in hostility, purposely low output, and
extreme union demands. The soft approach results in a growing desire for greater reward in exchange for
diminished work output.
It might seem that the optimal approach to human resource management would lie somewhere between
these extremes. However, McGregor asserts that neither approach is appropriate, since the basic
assumptions of Theory X are incorrect.
Drawing on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, McGregor argues that a need, once satisfied, no longer
motivates. The company uses monetary rewards and benefits to satisfy employees’ lower-level needs. Once
those needs have been satisfied, the motivation disappears. Theory X management hinders the satisfaction
of higher-level needs because it doesn’t acknowledge that those needs are relevant in the workplace. As a
result, the only way that employees can attempt to meet higher-level needs at work is to seek more
compensation, so, predictably, they focus on monetary rewards. While money may not be the most
effective way to self-fulfillment, it may be the only way available. People will use work to satisfy their
lower needs and seek to satisfy their higher needs during their leisure time. However, employees can be
most productive when their work goals align with their higher-level needs.
McGregor makes the point that a command-and-control environment is not effective because it relies on
lower needs for motivation, but in modern society those needs are mostly satisfied and thus are no longer
motivating. In this situation, one would expect employees to dislike their work, avoid responsibility, have
no interest in organizational goals, resist change, etc.—creating, in effect, a self-fulfilling prophecy. To
McGregor, a steady supply of motivation seemed more likely to occur under Theory Y management.
Theory Y
The higher-level needs of esteem and self-actualization are ongoing needs that, for most people, are never
completely satisfied. As such, it is these higher-level needs through which employees can best be
motivated.
In strong contrast to Theory X, Theory Y management makes the following assumptions:
Work can be as natural as play if the conditions are favorable.
People will be self-directed and creative to meet their work and organizational objectives if they are
committed to them.
People will be committed to their quality and productivity objectives if rewards are in place that
addresses higher needs such as self-fulfillment.
The capacity for creativity spreads throughout organizations.
Most people can handle responsibility because creativity and ingenuity are common in the
population.
Under these conditions, people will seek responsibility.
Under these assumptions, there is an opportunity to align personal goals with organizational goals by using
the employee’s own need for fulfillment as the motivator. McGregor stressed that Theory Y management
does not imply a soft approach.
McGregor recognized that some people may not have reached the level of maturity assumed by Theory Y
and may initially need tighter controls that can be relaxed as the employee develops.
If Theory Y holds true, an organization can apply the following principles of scientific management to
improve employee motivation:
Decentralization and delegation: If firms decentralize control and reduce the number of levels of
management, managers will have more subordinates and consequently need to delegate some
responsibility and decision making to them.
Job enlargement: Broadening the scope of an employee’s job adds variety and opportunities to
satisfy ego needs.
Participative management: Consulting employees in the decision-making process taps their
creative capacity and provides them with some control over their work environment.
Performance appraisals: Having the employee set objectives and participate in the process of self-
evaluation increases engagement and dedication.
If properly implemented, such an environment can increase and continually fuel motivation as employees
work to satisfy their higher-level personal needs through their jobs.
LEADERSHIP
Definition/ Concept
• According to Livingston – ‘Leadership is the ability to awaken the desire to follow a
common objective’.
• According to C.I. Bernard – ‘Leadership is the quality of behaviour of the individuals
whereby they guide people or their activities in organised efforts’.
• According to Bernard Keys and Thomas – ‘Leadership is the process of influencing
and supporting others to work enthusiastically towards achieving objectives’.
• Leadership is essentially a continuous process of influencing behaviour. It may be
considered in context of mutual relations between a leader and his followers. The
leader tries to influence the behaviour of individuals or group of individuals around
him to achieve desired goals.
• Keith Davis, “Leadership is the process of encouraging and helping others to work
enthusiastically towards their objectives. Leadership must extract cooperation and
willingness of the individuals and groups to attain the organisational objectives.”
• Leadership is the lifting of a man's vision to higher sights, the raising of a man's
performance to a higher standard, the building of a man's personality beyond its
normal limitations- Peter.F.Drucker
LEADERSHIP STYLES :
leadership style helps you provide adequate guidance and feedback to employees, and better understand
your thoughts, how you make decisions and strategies you can consider implementing when making
business decisions. It can also help you understand how your direct reports see you and why they may give
you specific feedback. For example, if employees feel stifled at work and don’t have many opportunities to
speak their minds, they may be telling you that you’re an autocratic leader who can benefit from changing
their style. Knowing your leadership styles may help you improve with limited feedback. Each leadership
style has its pitfalls, allowing you to proactively address areas of improvement. This is critical because
some employees might hesitate to speak up, even in an anonymous survey. Ready to find out your
leadership styles? Check out the most common styles below.
Different styles of leadership can lead to very different team cultures and experiences. How would you
describe your leadership style? Leadership styles in management can vary based on industry, local
customs, and personality.
In mentoring relationships, it is important for both the mentor and mentee to practice their leadership skills.
In fact, 71% of mentors on MicroMentor say that mentoring has helped them improve their leadership
skills.
There are many different styles of leadership, but we will focus on 7 of the most common here.
1. Transactional leadership
2. Transformational leadership
3. Servant leadership
4. Democratic leadership
5. Autocratic leadership
6. Bureaucratic leadership
7. Laissez-Faire leadership
8. Strategic Leadership
9. Coach-Style leadership
10. Charismatic Leadership
While there may not be one “best choice”, different styles of leadership may work best in specific
situations.
Transactional leadership :
This leadership style helps to establish roles and responsibilities by using incentivization to motivate
employees. For example, a transactional leader might motivate their team with a scheduled bonus for
generating a certain number of leads in a quarter. Transactional leadership can be effective, but can also
encourage employees to do the bare minimum to meet goals and nothing more. It is much more effective to
use this leadership style in conjunction with transformational leadership.
Transformational leadership:
Transformational leadership is a popular style among growth-oriented companies as it encourages
employees to see what they are capable of. This type of leader will constantly push their team outside of
their comfort zones. For example, a transformational leader might provide their employees with a list of
goals with deadlines. While they may seem straightforward at first, the manager might start adding more
challenging goals or pick up the pace of deadlines. Without the right coaching to guide team members, this
style of leadership risks leaving team members with different learning curves behind. However, it can also
motivate and build confidence among employees.
Servant leadership :
The servant leadership style can be a very effective model for empowering teams and boosting morale.
Servant style leadership means prioritizing the needs of your team above all else. A leader or manager
using this style of leadership will focus their energy on elevating and developing their teams. An example
of this style could be a manager investing their time in a project to helping a team member develop a
specific skillset, regardless of how much this slows down the process and takes up their own time. While it
can be challenging for many of us, the servant leadership style has long term benefits for teams and creates
a culture of trust among team members
Democratic leadership :
Democratic leadership is an extremely effective leadership style because it empowers team members at all
levels to feel empowered within the organization. In this leadership style, the leader makes decisions taking
into account the input of all team members, regardless of their seniority or expertise. An example of
democratic leadership in action is a meeting in which a leader might provide the team with a few decision-
related options. After an open discussion about the options, the leader would take into account the team
members’ thoughts and feedback or open the decision up to a vote.
Autocratic leadership :
This leadership style is one of the least effective ways of practicing leadership. In this style, the leader
makes decisions without taking input from any stakeholders. Team members are expected to adhere to the
decision however the leader sees fit. An example of autocratic leadership could be when a team manager
decides to take on a new project without consulting anyone on the team about capacity, strategic relevance,
or practicality. Autocratic leadership disempowers team members and results in decisions lacking the
necessary input from stakeholders to be successful.
Bureaucratic leadership :
Another ineffective leadership style is the bureaucratic leadership style. Unlike autocratic leadership, this
style might consider the input of team members. However, if that input conflicts with existing policy the
leader will likely reject it. This style of leadership is commonly found in larger and older organizations
who have successful processes already in place. Bureaucratic leadership is quick to shut down innovation
and discourages new ways of thinking and achieving ambitious goals.
Laissez-Faire leadership :
laissez-Faire leadership style is often found in younger start-ups. In this leadership style, leaders put nearly
all the decision making power in the hands of their employees. For example, a leader might not set official
policies around project deadlines or working hours for their employees. While this style of leadership can
empower employees to set their own goals and work in a way that works best for them, it can also limit
professional development and overlook strategic growth opportunities.
Strategic Leadership :
We all know that a good strategy can be the key to success. Therefore, strategic leaders are always at the
intersection point of company work and growth opportunities. You maintain the upper-level management but
ensure that everyone else is not negatively affected by it. They ensure that working conditions are best for everyone.
Coach-Style Leadership :
You should identify and nurture the strengths of each of the members. This results in better teamwork and better
strategy building. Also, you can find subtle hints of democratic and strategic leadership in this type of leadership.
The leader creates a team where all the team members contribute as per their expertise and skills. Moreover, teams
have better communication and cooperation spirit to get things done in order.
Charismatic Leadership :
You might find it similar to transformational leadership but different. Motivating and inspiring your team remains
the primary goal of you as the leader. However, there is no transformation in this process. As a leader, you are
determined that you are always right even if people tell you about the wrongs. This can lead to certain risks and
damage to the team or organization at times.
PLANNING :
Definition: Planning is the fundamental management function, which involves deciding beforehand, what
is to be done, when is it to be done, how it is to be done and who is going to do it. It is an intellectual
process which lays down an organisation’s objectives and develops various courses of action, by which the
organisation can achieve those objectives. It chalks out exactly, how to attain a specific goal. Planning is
nothing but thinking before the action takes place. It helps us to take a peep into the future and decide
in advance the way to deal with the situations, which we are going to encounter in future. It involves
logical thinking and rational decision making.
CHARACTERISTICS OF PLANNING :
1. Managerial function: Planning is a first and foremost managerial function provides the base for
other functions of the management, i.e. organising, staffing, directing and controlling, as they are
performed within the periphery of the plans made.
2. Goal oriented: It focuses on defining the goals of the organisation, identifying alternative courses
of action and deciding the appropriate action plan, which is to be undertaken for reaching the goals.
3. Pervasive: It is pervasive in the sense that it is present in all the segments and is required at all the
levels of the organisation. Although the scope of planning varies at different levels and departments.
4. Continuous Process: Plans are made for a specific term, say for a month, quarter, year and so on.
Once that period is over, new plans are drawn, considering the organisation’s present and future
requirements and conditions. Therefore, it is an ongoing process, as the plans are framed, executed and
followed by another plan.
5. Intellectual Process: It is a mental exercise at it involves the application of mind, to think, forecast,
imagine intelligently and innovate etc.
6. Futuristic: In the process of planning we take a sneak peek of the future. It encompasses looking
into the future, to analyse and predict it so that the organisation can face future challenges effectively.
7. Decision making: Decisions are made regarding the choice of alternative courses of action that can
be undertaken to reach the goal. The alternative chosen should be best among all, with the least number of
the negative and highest number of positive outcomes.
Planning is concerned with setting objectives, targets, and formulating plan to accomplish them. The
activity helps managers analyse the present condition to identify the ways of attaining the desired
position in future. It is both, the need of the organisation and the responsibility of managers.
IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING :
It helps managers to improve future performance, by establishing objectives and selecting a
course of action, for the benefit of the organisation.
It minimises risk and uncertainty, by looking ahead into the future.
It facilitates the coordination of activities. Thus, reduces overlapping among activities and
eliminates unproductive work.
It states in advance, what should be done in future, so it provides direction for action.
It uncovers and identifies future opportunities and threats.
It sets out standards for controlling. It compares actual performance with the standard
performance and efforts are made to correct the same.
Planning is present in all types of organisations, households, sectors, economies, etc. We need to plan
because the future is highly uncertain and no one can predict the future with 100% accuracy, as the
conditions can change anytime. Hence, planning is the basic requirement of any organization for the
survival, growth and success
TYPES OF PLANS :
1. Standing Plans
1. Objectives
2. Strategies
3. Policies
4. Procedures
5. Rules
2. Single-use Plans
1. Programmes
2. Budgets
DECISION MAKING :
In simple terms, decision making is the process of making choices by recognizing the problem,
gathering information about feasible solutions, and finalizing the best alternative. This process is carried
out through an intuitive or logical process, or a combination of two. Intuition is all about using your gut
feeling to take a stand on the possible course of action. In contrast, a logical process uses facts and figures
to make scientifically sound decisions. Intuition is an acceptable way of decision-making; nevertheless, it is
often more suited when the decision is easy, personal, or needs to be made quickly. More complex
judgments typically need a more formal, systematic approach that incorporates both intuition and logical
reasoning. It is critical to avoid rash reactions or intuitions in such scenarios, majorly in business
decisions. You live in an era of digitalization where new information is generated every second at a
rapidly increasing rate. And it circulates all around the globe, 24 by 7. This means the amount of historical
records you have in databases spread across the globe is huge. And not making use of it seems totally
delinquent. That is why organizations are increasingly relying on business and data analytics to guide their
decision-making.
UNIT -2
ORGANIZING
Organisation refers to a collection of people who are working towards a common goal and objective. In
other words, it can be said that organisation is a place where people assemble together and perform
different sets of duties and responsibilities towards fulfilling the organisational goals.
Louis Allen, “Organization is the process of identifying and grouping work to be performed, defining
and delegating responsibility and authority and establishing relationships for the purpose of
enabling people to work most effectively together in accomplishing objectives.”
PRINCIPLES OF ORGANISATION :
1. Principle of Objective
2. Principle of Specialisation
3. Principles of Co-ordination
5. Principle of Definition
6. Span of Control
7. Principle of Balance
8. Principle of Continuity
9. Principle of Uniformity
10. Principle of Unity of Command
11. Principle of Exception
12. Principle of Simplicity
13. Principle of Efficiency
14. Scalar Principle
The Principles of Organization are foundational guidelines to ensure the effective functioning of an
organization. These principles are essential for creating a structure that supports goals, coordination, and
efficiency. Here's a brief explanation of each:
1. Principle of Objective
Every organization should have clearly defined objectives that align with its mission. All activities
and efforts must contribute to achieving these objectives.
2. Principle of Specialization
Work should be divided based on individual expertise and specialization to enhance efficiency and
productivity.
3. Principle of Coordination
All departments and individuals must work in harmony to achieve the organization's goals, ensuring
integration and avoiding duplication of efforts.
4. Principle of Definition
Roles, responsibilities, and authority must be clearly defined for every position in the organization
to avoid confusion and conflict.
5. Span of Control
There should be an optimal number of subordinates that a manager can effectively supervise,
balancing control and delegation.
6. Principle of Balance
There must be a balance between authority and responsibility, centralization and decentralization,
and organizational resources to maintain stability.
7. Principle of Continuity
The organization should plan for its long-term sustainability by adapting to changes and ensuring
continuous operations.
8. Principle of Uniformity
Policies and procedures should be consistently applied across the organization to maintain fairness
and equity.
9. Principle of Unity of Command
Each employee should report to only one supervisor to avoid confusion, conflict, and overlapping
instructions.
10. Principle of Exception
Routine matters should be handled by subordinates, while only significant issues are escalated to
higher levels of management.
11. Principle of Simplicity
Organizational structures and processes should be simple and straightforward to understand and
implement.
12. Principle of Efficiency
The organization should use its resources (time, money, manpower, and materials) in the most
efficient manner to achieve maximum output.
13. Scalar Principle
There should be a clear line of authority from the top to the bottom of the organization, ensuring an
unbroken chain of command.
These principles, when applied effectively, help create a robust organizational structure, promote
efficiency, and drive goal attainment
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART :
An Organizational Chart is a visual representation of the hierarchy and relationships within an
organization. It outlines how tasks are divided, roles are assigned, and authority flows. An organizational
chart is a diagram that visually displays the internal structure of an organization by showing job titles,
roles, and relationships.
Purpose:
Clarifies reporting relationships and communication lines.
Helps new employees understand the structure.
Aids in identifying gaps in the workforce.
Supports planning and decision-making.
LINE ORGANISATION:
Line organisation is the simplest organisation structure and it also happens to be the oldest organisation
structure. It is also known as Scalar or military or departmental type of organisation.
In this type of organisational structure, the authority is well defined and it flows vertically from the top to
the hierarchy level to the managerial level and subordinates at the bottom and continues further to the
workers till the end. There is a clear division of accountability, authority and responsibility in the line
organizational structure.
WORKS MANAGER
RC TCC GB RB
IC SD SB INSP.
WORKERS
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION :
A committee organization represents a group of people with various kinds of knowledge, which is formally
constituted to solve specific problems of the organization. A committee helps to gather collective ideas and
information, and properly analyze them which helps to make strong managerial decisions and solve
difficult problems. During the course of the operation committee organizational structure, various problems
may arise in the organization, to solve such problems, the management constitutes committees by gathering
the members from the concerned fields. And, in accordance with the provided information and suggestions
from the committee members, the management takes decisions and solves problems. This helps to
minimize the workload of top-level management.
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL VICE CHANCELLOR ACADEMIC SENATE
REGISTRAR
All the members have equal authority in the committee. Thus, executive levels come to a conclusion with
the help and mutual consent of all the committee members.
Conflict is common in committees because of more heads. In some situations, committee organization
creates confusion or conflicts in the decision-making process. Ideas or views of a member may be in
conflict with the views of other members.
2. Delay in Decision
The committee members take more time to discuss the various factors of a problem. The valuable time the
committee members spent on the discussion. The delay in the decision may result in an extra financial
burden to the management.
3. Probability of Diversion
In some cases, committee discussion may be diverted to other subject matter. In such a situation,
committee members can not come to a conclusion within the given time frame. They have to meet many
times to come to a suitable outcome.
4. Tendency of Shifting
It is common to shift the tendency of decisions to committees. When the executives feel difficult to take a
decision on important problems, they often shift it to the committee. This attitude of line authorities
minimizes their initiative and creativity, which provides a negative impact on organizational performance.
5. Lack of Secrecy
Maintaining secrecy of internal matters is difficult in committee organization. All the members of the
committee discuss the problems in detail and in the process they get knowledge about internal matters of
the organization. Thus, there is more probability of leakage of internal plans and strategies of the
organization.
6. Distribution of Responsibility
In committee organizations, most of the members are concerned about the decision-making process. In
some situations, the committee may take the wrong decision and in such a case no members individually
take responsibility for the wrong decision on behalf of all the members. Everyone wants to shift the
responsibility to other members of the committee.
7. Splits Accountability
In a committee organization, nobody is held accountable for a decision made by a committee. A
committee’s decision is known as nobody’s decision just because it is everybody’s decision. Problems in
the organization may arise when any mistake is made in the decision-making process. And, nobody wants
to take full responsibility for the mistake on behalf of all members of the committee.
MATRIX ORGANISATION:
Matrix organisation is the latest form of organisation that is a combination of functional and project
organisation. In such organisations there are two lines of authority, the functional part of the organisation
and project management part of the organisation and they have vertical and horizontal flow of authority,
respectively.
Advantages of Matrix Organisation
1. Since the matrix organisation is a combination of functional and project management teams, there is an
improved coordination between the vertical and horizontal functions.
2. Employees are motivated as everyone will be working towards one project.
Disadvantages of Matrix Organisation
1. Due to the presence of vertical and horizontal communication, there will be increased cost and
paperwork.
2.Having multiple supervisors for the workers leads to confusion and difficulty in control.
INVERTED PYRAMID :
A reverse hierarchy (or inverted pyramid) is a conceptual organizational structure that attempts to
"invert" or otherwise "reverse" the classical pyramid of hierarchical organizations.
In the proposed structure, key decisions are made by the employees in direct contact with customers, while
progressively senior management positions provide support and help to the customer-facing employees.
The term "invert the pyramid" is attributed to Jan Carlzon, who transformed SAS airlines by giving front
line employees authority to make decisions on the spot.[2] The creation of the reverse hierarchy has been
attributed to the Nordstrom retail organization.[1] Other notable adopters of this structure include the United
Parcel Service and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.
FLAT ORGANIZATIONS :
Which have relatively few or even one level of management. Flat is also known as wider span of control
TALL ORGANIZATIONS :
Tall organizations have many levels of management. Tall organization involves narrow span of
management.
UNIT – 3
ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR
Organizational Behavior is concerned with the understanding, prediction and control of human behavior in
organizations. It focuses on the individuals, the groups and the organization and also on their interaction
relationships. It is the study and application of knowledge about how people act with organizations. It is a
human tool for human benefit. It applies broadly to the behavior of people in all types of organizations.
Wherever organizations are, there is a need to understand organizational behavior.
According to Fred Luthans, “Organizational behavior is directly concerned with the understanding,
production and control of human behavior in organizations.”
NATURE :
The nature/ characteristics of OB are as given below:
1. OB is a part of general management and not the whole of management. It represents behavioral approach
to management.
2. OB contains a body of theory, research and application associated with a growing concern for people at
the work place. It helps in understanding human behavior in work organizations.
3. OB is a human tool for human benefit. It helps in predicting the behavior of individuals.
4. OB is inter-disciplinary field of study. It tries to synthesize knowledge drawn from various behavioral
and social sciences such as Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Political-science, Economics, etc. In
fact, OB is an applied behavioral sciences.
5. OB involves three levels of analysis of behavior-individual behavior, group behavior and behavior of
the organization itself.
6. OB is an action-oriented and goal-directed discipline. It provides a rational thinking about people and
their behavior
7. OB is both a science and an art. The systematic knowledge about human behavior is a science. The
application of behavioral knowledge and skills clearly leans towards being an art.
8. OB seeks to fulfil both employees’ needs and organizational objectives.
SCOPE OF OB
“OB is a field of study that investigates the impact, that individuals, groups, and structure have on behavior
within organizations, for the purpose of applying such knowledge towards improving an organization’s
effectiveness”.
The scope of OB involves three levels of behavior in organizations: individuals, groups and structure.
1. Individual Behavior
(i) Personality
(ii) Perception
(iii) Values and Attitudes
(iv) Learning
(v) Motivation
2. Group Behavior
(i) Work groups and group dynamics
(ii) Dynamics of conflict
(iii) Communication
(iv) Leadership
(v) Morale
3. Organization: Structure, Process and Application
(i) Organizational Climate
(ii) Organizational Culture
(iii) Organizational Change
(iv) Organizational Effectiveness
(v) Organizational Development
Sociology:
According to Dictionary of the social sciences, sociology is “the study of society, patterns of social
relationships, social interaction, and culture that surrounds everyday life.” From the definition it is very
much clear that sociology also has a major impact on the study of Organizational behavior. Max Weber
defines sociology as, “a science which attempts the interpretive understanding of social action in order
thereby to arrive at a causal explanation of its course and effects.”
Anthropology:
It is “the science of humanity, which studies human beings in aspects ranging from the biology and
evolutionary history of Homosapiens to the features of society and culture that decisively distinguish
humans from other animal species.”
Therefore, Anthropology deals with the relationships between people and their environment and
anthropology contributes to understanding the cultural impact on Organizational behaviour, the impact of
value structures, expectations, emotions, unity and interaction.
Also, University of Florida defines, “Anthropology is the study of humankind. Of all the disciplines that
examine aspects of human existence and accomplishments, only Anthropology explores the entire
panorama of the human experience from human origins to contemporary forms of culture and social life.”
Eric Wolf said, “’Anthropology’ is less a subject matter than a bond between subject matters. It is part
history, part literature; in part natural science, part social science; it strives to study men both from within
and without; it represents both a manner of looking at men and vision of men – the most scientific of the
humanities, the most humanist of sciences.”
PoliticalScience
Political science has some fascinating implications in researching Organizational behavior as it helps in
understanding how and why people gain control, political actions, decision-making, conflict, interest
group activity and creation of coalitions. And the same is also true of major areas of Organizational
behaviour.
It has been stated many times that political parties and government are actively active in many of the
activities of the ORGANIZATION.
Economics
Lionel Robbins stated the term economics as,“the science which studies human behavior as a relationship
between ends and scares means which have alternative uses”. Economics tackles the problem of fear
resources and limitless uses or restricted resources and infinite desires. In addition to this, it studies the
growth, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. And studying different economic subfields
helps to illustrate the Organizational actions in a very useful way, such as understanding the dynamics of
the labor market, efficiency, human resource planning and forecasting, and cost benefit analysis.
Science:
Scientific approaches are the foundation of organization's actions. Organizational behavior is based on
the systematized analysis of data, actions, their relationships and predictions. New research methods
help to learn modern analytical tools and techniques and to apply them.
Technology:
Technological progress often impacts employee behaviour. Because we live in an era of information
technology in which technology plays a very important role, to understand the Organizational actions,
the study of technological development becomes important because people are affected by
technological growth. Technology influences consumer behaviour, manufacturing practices, and storage
and distribution activities. To match the pace people need to be educated and/or technically qualified
about technological development.
Engineering:
Engineering too plays significant role in the study of Organizational behavior. Certain topics are very
common in both engineering as well as Organizational behavior.
Medicine:
Medicine has a link to researching human behavior in the workplace, as stress has become a very
common issue in organizations as well as in people employed in organizations. To control the causes
and consequences of stress, since it is important for the well-being of both the individual and the
organizations. Medicine helps with treating emotional disorders as well as emotional related problems.
Finally, it can be inferred that the Organizational conduct is given a multidisciplinary focus.
1. Contemporary Approach
Definition: Modern approaches to OB that integrate insights from psychology, sociology,
economics, and technology.
Key Features:
o Focus on flexibility, innovation, and collaboration in dynamic environments.
o Emphasizes employee engagement, well-being, and diversity management.
o Explores the impact of globalization and technological advancements, such as artificial
intelligence and remote work.
Example: Agile frameworks used in organizations to adapt quickly to changes.
2. Human Resource Approach
Definition: Treats employees as valuable assets and focuses on their development and satisfaction.
Key Features:
o Importance of employee motivation, training, and career development.
o Encourages participative management, where employees are involved in decision-making.
o Promotes work-life balance and addresses individual needs.
Example: Implementation of performance-based incentives and mentorship programs.
3. Contingency Approach
Definition: Suggests that there is no single best way to manage an organization; the best approach
depends on situational factors.
Key Features:
o Emphasizes adaptability to environmental conditions, organizational size, and task
complexity.
o Managers must analyze the situation and apply appropriate leadership styles or strategies.
o Rejects "one-size-fits-all" theories.
Example: A company uses a democratic leadership style for creative projects and autocratic
leadership for crises.
4. Systems Approach
Definition: Views the organization as an interrelated system where different components work
together to achieve goals.
Key Features:
o Focuses on the interaction between various subsystems (e.g., HR, production, marketing).
o Stresses the importance of external factors (e.g., market trends, regulations) on
organizational behavior.
o Highlights the need for feedback loops to maintain balance and improve processes.
Example: A supply chain system that integrates procurement, production, and distribution to
optimize efficiency.
5. Productivity Approach
Definition: Concentrates on improving organizational output through optimal use of resources.
Key Features:
o Measures performance in terms of efficiency (cost and time savings) and effectiveness
(achieving goals).
o Encourages processes like quality control, lean management, and employee
empowerment.
o Balances financial goals with employee satisfaction.
Example: Implementing Six Sigma to enhance product quality and minimize waste.
These approaches together provide a holistic understanding of how organizations can manage behavior to
adapt, grow, and achieve their objectives effectively.
Every organization develops a particular type of culture or value system or a model according to which
people of an organization are supposed to behave. And the system is developed by taking into account
the assumptions of the management regarding people, mission and management vision. The
assumptions on which an organization's culture is based vary greatly from one organization to another,
and so do the ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR MODELS.
In the starting of civilized human society, there were two forms of strategies for the people in action,
one says "trust anyone unless there is proof to the contrary" and an additional says "trust no one unless
there is evidence to the contrary." Obviously, in such organizations the interactions between people take
place differently according to these two approaches.
"McGregor" specified "theories X and Y and each theory makes assumptions which are quite contrary
to each other"; Argyris specified "theconcept of immaturity and maturity of people which also provides
two opposite views about the people". Ergo, Models of Organizational behavior built on the basis of
different decisions or assumptions represent Beat variations. O B models that are in practice, however,
show some sort of continuum between these two opposite poles, although they tend to lean towards a
specific pole. "Davis" has described four OB models which are as follows:
1. Autocratic
2. Custodial
3. Supportive
4. Collegial.
AutocraticModel
In the autocratic model there is managerial orientation toward power. Managers see power as the only
way to get the job done, and employees are forced to obey orders which lead to high boss
dependence.The Organizational mechanism is largely formalized; power is delegated by the right of
command to the individuals to whom it refers. The model is largely based on the “Theory of X
assumptions of Mc Gregor where the human beings are taken inherently distasteful to work and try to
avoid responsibility”. In this model employees are closely and strictly supervised inorder to attain
desired performance. Employees are supposed to obey the order of the managers and there is no place
for employee's suggestion in this model which sometimes results in minimal performance.
Custodial Model
Under this model, the key goal relating to management is to use money or resources to support workers.
Employee works towards security attainment and in return organization uses the organization's
economic resources to benefit the organization's employees which lead to high employee dependence
on organization.
Employee Organizational reliance reduces personal dependence on boss. Employees in this model feel
satisfied when working and their performance level is a little higher than the autocratic Organizational
model but overall performance is not that good.
This model Is similar to the more satisfying and dissatisfying Herzberg theory.
Employees get sufficient respect and Organizational protection according to this model, they feel
satisfied but they are not given any kind of authority to determine what benefits or incentives they will
receive. This model is quite common in many Indian business Organizations.
Supportive Model
In this supportive model mangers are very supportive towards employees. Here Managerial leadership
is the key criterion of Organizational behavior, rather than using money or influence or authority. The
main goal is to assist employees in achieving results with the aid of employee involvement and
participation in managerial decision making process.
The model is based on "Likert's supporting partnership values, which is the fundamental component of
his program 4(participatory)." "Likert" notes that full manager-employee interactions will occur. The
job of the manager is to support and inspire the subordinates to carry out their mission, rather than
closely supervise them. In this model, employee output is much higher than the autocratic and custodial
model, because employees have a sense of belonging due to managers' positive attitude towards them.
Collegial Model
This model is an extension of the positive model. Within this model all employees work for a common
target. Collegial meaning implies a community of shared-intentioned individuals. Therefore, the
collegial model, suggests the concept of a partnership in which a high degree of understanding is
established between the two in order to accomplish common objectives. This model requires less
guidance and control from the side of management. And the organization's environment is so favorable
that Regulation is essentially carried out by team members by self-discipline. Collegial model is more
useful where there is flexibility in behaviour, an intellectual environment and considerable freedom of
employment.
These OB models are based on the individual characteristics and how they could perform better. One
model cannot be adapted in all situations and at all stages and managers cannot assume that a particular
model is best suited for all purposes and all situations.
UNIT-IV
PERCEPTION, PERSONALITY, ORGANISATION CLIMATE &
CULTURE
PERCEPTION:
Perception is the process through which individuals interpret sensory information to understand their
environment.
1. The Situation
The context or environment in which perception occurs has a significant impact. Situational factors include
time, work setting, and social setting.
a) Time
Time influences perception by creating urgency or relaxation.
For example, deadlines might make a person perceive events more critically than during periods
without time constraints.
Morning perceptions may differ from evening ones due to varying energy levels or moods.
b) Work Setting
The physical and organizational work environment affects perception.
A noisy, cluttered workplace might hinder clear perception, while a well-organized setting
facilitates better interpretation.
Organizational hierarchy, policies, and culture also shape how people perceive their roles and
relationships.
c) Social Setting
The social context, including interactions with others, affects how we interpret behavior or events.
For example, an individual’s behavior at a casual social gathering may be perceived differently than
the same behavior in a formal meeting.
2. The Target
The object or person being perceived (the target) significantly influences perception. Characteristics of the
target include:
a) Size
Larger or more prominent objects or individuals are more noticeable and tend to be perceived more
distinctly.
For example, a large billboard grabs more attention than a small poster.
b) Intensity
Stimuli with greater intensity (brighter colors, louder sounds, stronger smells) are more likely to
catch attention.
Example: A loudspeaker announcement stands out in a quiet room.
c) Background
The setting or backdrop in which the target exists affects perception.
For instance, a bright object in a dark room is easily noticeable, while it may blend in with a
similarly lit background.
d) Novelty
New or unusual objects or behaviors are more likely to attract attention.
Example: A unique dress at a formal event is more noticeable than standard formal wear.
e) Proximity
Objects or people closer to the perceiver are noticed and interpreted more readily.
Example: In a crowded room, individuals near the perceiver are more likely to be observed.
f) Motion
Moving objects are more likely to attract attention than stationary ones.
Example: A moving car in a parking lot is noticed faster than parked cars.
3. The Perceiver
The individual interpreting the sensory inputs also influences perception, as it depends on personal
characteristics such as attitudes, motives, interests, experience, and expectations.
a) Attitudes
A person’s attitudes shape how they view situations or people.
For example, someone with a positive attitude toward teamwork may perceive group discussions
more favorably.
b) Motives
Motivations or desires influence perception by directing focus toward relevant stimuli.
Example: A job seeker may be more attentive to job-related advertisements than others.
c) Interests
Personal interests guide attention and perception.
Example: A sports enthusiast is more likely to notice news about games or players than someone
uninterested in sports.
d) Experience
Past experiences shape how people interpret current events or behaviors.
Example: Someone who has experienced workplace conflict may perceive minor disagreements as
significant.
e) Expectations
Preconceived ideas or stereotypes influence perception by shaping how we interpret stimuli.
Example: If a manager expects an employee to perform poorly, they may perceive their work less
favorably regardless of actual performance.
Perception is influenced by a dynamic interaction between situational factors, the characteristics of the
target, and the personal characteristics of the perceiver. Understanding these factors can improve
interpersonal communication, reduce misunderstandings, and enhance decision-making in personal and
professional settings
PERCEPTUAL SELECTIVITY
Perceptual selectivity refers to the process by which individuals filter and focus on specific stimuli
from their environment while ignoring others.
By understanding these factors, we can better comprehend how attention and perception work and how to
design environments or messages to align with perceptual tendencies.
PERCEPTUAL ORGANISATION
Perceptual organization refers to the way information is received by our senses and interpreted to make it
meaningful. A lot of what we know about perceptual organization comes from Gestalt psychology. Gestalt
psychologists believe that the human brain perceives a stimulus as a whole and not as the sum of its parts.
Although research shows perceptual organization applies to all the senses, it has been most studied for
visual perception. Visual perception is a process of grouping the elements of an object together to
determine the meaning of the object as a whole.
Perceptual organization theory is based on Six rules or principles.
Six Gestalt Principles or Laws are:
• Law of similarity
• Law of prägnanz
• Law of proximity
• Law of continuity
• Law of closure
• Law of common region
1. Law of Similarity
The law of similarity states that similar things tend to appear grouped together. Grouping can occur in both
visual and auditory stimuli.
2. Law of Prägnanz
The law of prägnanz is sometimes referred to as the law of good figure or the law of simplicity. This law
holds that when you're presented with a set of ambiguous or complex objects, your brain will make them
appear as simple as possible.3 For example, when presented with the Olympic logo, you see overlapping
circles rather than an assortment of curved, connected lines.
The word prägnanz is a German term meaning "good figure."
3. Law of Proximity
According to the law of proximity, things that are close together seem more related than things that are
spaced farther apart.4
In the image at the top of the page, the dots on the left appear to be part of one grouping while those on the
right appear to be part of another. Because the objects are close to each other, we group them together.
4. Law of Continuity
The law of continuity holds that points that are connected by straight or curving lines are seen in a way that
follows the smoothest path. In other words, elements in a line or curve seem more related to one another
than those positioned randomly.
5. Law of Closure
According to the law of closure, we perceive elements as belonging to the same group if they seem to
complete some entity.1 Our brains often ignore contradictory information and fill in gaps in information.
In the image at the top of the page, you probably see the shape of a diamond because your brain fills in the
missing gaps in order to create a meaningful image.
6. Law of Common Region
The Gestalt law of common region says that when elements are located in the same closed region, we
perceive them as belonging to the same group.1
Look at the last image at the top of the page. The circles are right next to each other so that the dot at the
end of one circle is actually closer to the dot at the end of the neighboring circle. But despite how close
those two dots are, we see the dots inside the circles as belonging together.
Creating a clearly defined boundary can overpower other Gestalt laws such as the law of proximity.
PERSONALITY
Definitions:
Gordon Allport: "Personality is the dynamic organization within the individual of those psychophysical
systems that determine their unique adjustments to their environment."
Raymond Cattell: "Personality is that which permits a prediction of what a person will do in a given
situation."
Personality Determinants :
Personality is shaped by a complex interplay of various factors. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the primary
determinants:
1. Biological Factors
Biological factors lay the foundation for personality. They include genetic, neurological, and physical
influences:
Heredity:
o Genes inherited from parents influence temperament and certain personality traits like
extroversion, agreeableness, and emotional stability.
o Twin studies have demonstrated the significant role of genetics in personality.
Physical Features:
o Appearance, body structure, and physical disabilities can affect personality. For example, a
tall person may exude confidence due to societal perceptions, while physical disabilities
might foster resilience or insecurity depending on the environment.
Brain Structure and Chemistry:
o Neurotransmitters and hormones (like dopamine and serotonin) regulate mood, behavior,
and stress responses.
o Differences in brain regions like the amygdala (emotion regulation) and prefrontal cortex
(decision-making) shape how individuals respond to situations.
Endocrine System:
o Hormonal imbalances can influence mood and behavior (e.g., high cortisol levels are linked
to stress and anxiety).
2. Cultural Factors
Culture is a powerful determinant, influencing values, norms, and behavior:
Shared Beliefs and Practices:
o Culture dictates what behaviors are acceptable and rewarded, influencing how individuals
express themselves. For example, collectivist cultures value harmony, while individualistic
cultures promote self-expression.
Socialization:
o Through rituals, education, and interactions, individuals internalize cultural norms that
shape their attitudes, beliefs, and goals.
Ethnicity and Traditions:
o Ethnic backgrounds influence personality by instilling specific traditions, languages, and
values.
Impact of Globalization:
o As cultures blend due to globalization, individuals may adopt hybrid identities, reflecting a
mix of traditional and modern influences.
3. Family Factors
The family environment plays a crucial role in the early formation of personality:
Parenting Style:
o Authoritative parenting fosters confidence and independence, while authoritarian or
neglectful parenting can lead to fearfulness or insecurity.
Birth Order:
o Firstborns often develop leadership qualities, while younger siblings may be more sociable
or rebellious due to differential parental expectations.
Family Environment:
o Warm, supportive environments encourage trust and optimism, whereas dysfunctional
families may lead to anxiety, aggression, or low self-esteem.
Socioeconomic Status (SES):
o Wealthier families may foster ambition and confidence, while those with financial struggles
might instill resilience or stress-related traits.
4. Social Factors
Interactions with society and peer groups significantly shape personality:
Socialization Process:
o Schools, workplaces, and social groups teach norms, values, and roles that individuals adopt
into their personalities.
Peer Influence:
o Peer groups impact personality, especially during adolescence, where conformity or
rebellion can shape traits like openness or introversion.
Community and Social Institutions:
o Religious organizations, clubs, and community activities provide frameworks for moral and
social behavior.
Technology and Media:
o Social media and entertainment influence self-image, aspirations, and values, shaping
personality in subtle ways.
5. Situational Factors
Situations and environments bring out different facets of an individual’s personality:
Role Expectations:
o People adapt their behavior based on the roles they play (e.g., professional, friend, parent),
reflecting situational aspects of personality.
Environmental Context:
o Stressful situations may lead to anxiety or resilience, while supportive environments
encourage confidence and innovation.
Life Events:
o Significant events like marriage, job loss, or trauma can cause shifts in personality. For
example, adversity may foster greater empathy or bitterness depending on the individual.
Temporal Influence:
o Personality may change over time due to changing circumstances or age-related maturity.
Interplay of Factors
While each determinant significantly influences personality, they rarely act in isolation. The combined
effect of biological predispositions, cultural expectations, family upbringing, social influences, and
situational dynamics creates the unique personality of an individual.
Functions :
1. Guides employee behavior : Organizational culture influences how employees are expected to
behave in the workplace.
2. Shapes company personality : It's the personality of the company, and it shows up in how
employees interact with each other and represent the company.
3. Improves employee retention : A strong organizational culture can improve employee retention.
4. Improves brand identity : A strong organizational culture can improve brand identity.
5. Improves engagement : A strong organizational culture can improve engagement.
6. Provides consistency and direction : A strong organizational culture can provide consistency and
direction, guide decisions and actions, and help reach the company's potential.
1. Leadership : Leadership is the most vital factor affecting organizational culture. The type of
leadership within a firm shapes its cultural setting, the behavior of its workers, and, finally, the
company's performance. Leaders are like role models for staff, and they set an example for how to
behave in the workplace. The way leaders act, make decisions, communicate, and treat staff reflects
the type of culture they want to create. For example, if a leader values open communication,
teamwork, and giving staff power, it will foster a culture of collaboration and inclusivity.
2. Vision, Mission, and Values : The firm's vision, mission, and values often serve as a map that
guides its culture. They define why a firm exists, what it hopes to achieve, and the principles it
upholds. If a firm likes to explore new ideas and take risks, it will likely create a culture that helps
creativity and experimentation. In contrast, if a firm prioritizes stability and even performance. It
may develop a culture that stresses following strict rules and policies and avoiding risks.
3. Management Policies : The policies and practices laid down by the regime greatly affect corporate
culture. Policies about recruitment, performance reviews, staff rewards, office timings, leave, and
other related matters affect how workers perceive the firm's culture. A fair and transparent policy
system can build a culture of trust and mutual respect. In contrast, a vague or conflicting policy
system can lead to a culture of skepticism and uncertainty. Policies supporting worker development,
such as training and education programs, can foster a learning culture.
4. Organizational Structure : The organizational structure, whether hierarchical, flat, or matrix, is
vital in defining its culture. Hierarchical firms may foster a more formal, bureaucratic culture where
decision-making power resides at the top. Flat layouts can promote a culture of empowerment,
where everyone can contribute ideas and decisions are made more.
5. Size of the Organization : The size of a firm also affects its culture. Smaller firms tend to have a
more flexible, family-like culture, with direct contact and union. In contrast, larger firms may have
more formalized procedures and roles. This leads to a culture where standardization and process
efficiency are highly valued.
6. Industry Requirements : The industry in which a firm operates, impacts its culture. For example,
high-risk firms like oil and gas often have a culture that heavily stresses safety. Firms like
advertising and technology may boost a culture of invention, innovation, and risk-taking.
7. Workforce Demographics : Staff demographics, such as age, gender, ethnicity, and academic
setup, can shape corporate culture. A diverse staff can bring in various perspectives, fostering a
culture of inclusion, innovation, and adaptability. Meanwhile, firms with less distinct might have a
more homogenous culture.
8. Economic Environment : The economic climate can affect corporate culture. In times of financial
downturn, firms may make a culture focused on cost-cutting and efficiency. Conversely, during
good times, firms may focus more on growth and invention, fostering a more entrepreneurial
culture.
9. Technology : The technology a firm uses can shape its culture greatly. Firms that use cutting-edge
technology often have a culture of innovation and steady learning. Joint tools can also foster a
culture of teamwork and open contact. Conversely, firms using ancient technology may struggle
with a culture immune to change.
10. Employee Engagement Initiatives : The presence (or lack thereof) of staff-related steps can also
affect a firm's culture. Firms that rank these steps tend to have a culture of liking and exposure.
These firms often see higher levels of job delight, raised productivity, and lower turnover rates.
11. Mergers and Acquisitions : When a firm merges with or acquires another, it may also get its
culture. If the cultures of the two companies are diverse, it can create cultural clashes, resulting in
reduced staff morale and output. Thus, viewing cultural compatibility is vital during mergers and
acquisitions.
12. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) : Firms that stress CSR tend to foster a culture of ethical
conduct and drive among their workers. The staff in these firms often feel a sense of pride and
dignity, knowing that their work contributes to societal good.
13. Physical Environment : The physical work climate can also shape a firm's culture. For instance, an
open office layout can promote a culture of clarity and union, whereas a formal cubicle-style office
might foster a more individualistic culture. Even aspects like lighting, color schemes, and room
temperature can subtly affect the mood and behavior of workers.
14. Performance Metrics and Rewards : The way a company measures performance and rewards its
staff has a big impact on its culture. If the focus is on individual accomplishments and winning, the
culture will likely be competitive. On the other hand, if teamwork and cooperation are rewarded, it
encourages a collaborative culture.
ORGANIZATIONAL CLIMATE
Definition : Organizational climate is the collective perception of employees regarding the work
environment and its various characteristics, such as policies, practices, and leadership style. It reflects how
employees experience the organizational culture on a day-to-day basis, shaping their attitudes, motivation,
and overall job satisfaction. This climate is influenced by factors such as communication openness, trust
levels, leadership behavior, and the support provided to employees.
In essence, organizational climate is the “mood” or “atmosphere” within an organization, which can
either positively or negatively impact employees' performance, engagement, and retention. Unlike
organizational culture, which focuses on shared values and beliefs, climate emphasizes how these values
are perceived and felt in the work environment.
Likert’s framework provides a way to assess and understand the organizational climate and how it
affects employee satisfaction, motivation, and performance.
UNIT-5
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS, TEAMS AND GROUPS, BUSINESS ETHICS
Communication
Communication is the process of ‘transmitting information, ideas, emotions, and messages from one person
or group to another’.
The Communication Process
Effective communication is essential for understanding and collaboration. It consists of several key
components, each playing a specific role in ensuring that the intended message is successfully delivered
and understood. These components are:
1. Sender
The sender is the originator of the message. This individual or entity initiates communication by
formulating the idea or information they wish to share. The sender plays a crucial role in ensuring clarity
and purpose in the communication process.
2. Message
The message is the core content of the communication. It is the idea, thought, or information that the
sender wants to convey to the receiver.
3. Encoding
Encoding is the process of converting the sender's ideas into a form that can be transmitted. This involves
selecting the appropriate words, symbols, gestures, or visuals to express the message.
4. Channel
The channel is the medium through which the encoded message is transmitted from the sender to the
receiver. Channels can be verbal, non-verbal, written, or digital.
5. Receiver
The receiver is the person or group for whom the message is intended. They are responsible for interpreting
and making sense of the message.
6. Decoding
Decoding is the process by which the receiver interprets the sender’s message. It involves making sense of
the encoded symbols, words, or visuals.
7. Feedback
Feedback is the receiver's response to the sender's message. It is critical to ensuring that the communication
loop is complete and effective.
8. Noise
Noise refers to any interference or barrier that distorts the clarity or accuracy of the message during
transmission. It can occur at any stage of the communication process.
Active listening, clear articulation, and choosing the right channel can minimize noise.
Example of Communication Process
1. Sender: A manager decides to communicate a new policy to the team.
2. Message: The details of the new policy.
3. Encoding: The manager drafts an email, choosing clear and professional language.
4. Channel: The email is sent through the company’s communication platform.
5. Receiver: The employees receive the email.
6. Decoding: Employees read and interpret the email based on their understanding.
7. Feedback: Employees reply with questions or comments for clarification.
8. Noise: An ambiguous section in the email causes confusion, which is later clarified through
feedback.
Communication Channels
A communication channel is the medium or pathway through which information, ideas, or messages are
transmitted between a sender and a receiver. It serves as the vehicle that facilitates the exchange of
information, whether it is verbal, written, non-verbal, or digital.
Types of Communication Channels
1. Verbal Communication
This involves the use of spoken words to convey messages and ideas. It is often the most direct and
immediate form of communication.
Examples: Conversations, speeches, meetings, phone calls.
2. Non-Verbal Communication
Non-verbal communication includes all forms of communication without spoken or written words. It
significantly enhances or contradicts verbal messages.
a. Body Language
Movements, gestures, and postures that convey emotions or intentions.
Examples: Crossed arms (defensiveness), leaning forward (interest), or slouched shoulders
(disinterest).
b. Eye Contact
Direct eye contact can indicate confidence, engagement, or interest.
Avoidance of eye contact may signify discomfort, shyness, or deception.
c. Facial Expressions
Facial expressions often communicate emotions more effectively than words.
Examples: Smiling (happiness), frowning (displeasure), raised eyebrows (surprise).
d. Posture
The way a person stands or sits can reflect their attitude or mood.
Examples: Upright posture (confidence), slouched posture (boredom or low energy).
3. Written Communication
Involves transmitting information through written symbols, often structured and documented.
Examples: Emails, reports, letters, memos.
Best suited for: Formal communications, legal documentation, and detailed instructions.
5. Unofficial Communication
Informal communication often occurs outside the formal structure of an organization or process.
Examples: Water cooler conversations, casual chats, social gatherings.
Advantages: Builds relationships, encourages open dialogue, and fosters trust.
Each communication channel has its strengths and ideal use cases. Effective communication often involves
combining multiple channels to ensure clarity, efficiency, and engagement. The choice of channel depends
on the message, audience, context, and desired outcome.
Communication Barriers
Communication barriers are obstacles that can hinder the effective exchange of information between
individuals or within organizations. These barriers can arise from interpersonal dynamics or organizational
structures and processes. Below is an in-depth explanation of various types of barriers:
2) Organizational Barriers :
Organizational barriers stem from the structure, policies, and culture of an organization, which can impede
effective communication.
a) Hierarchical Barriers : Communication may be hindered by rigid hierarchical structures within an
organization.
Example: Employees may be hesitant to share feedback with upper management.
b) Organizational Policies: Overly strict or unclear communication policies can discourage employees
from engaging in dialogue.
Example: Policies requiring all communication to go through specific channels may delay
decision-making.
c) Lack of Proper Channels: Ineffective or insufficient communication channels can lead to breakdowns
in message transmission.
Example: Important updates shared only via email might not reach employees who don’t regularly
check it.
d) Power Dynamics: Power imbalances in the workplace may make employees reluctant to share honest
feedback.
Example: Junior employees might fear voicing disagreements with senior leadership.
e) Organizational Culture: A culture that discourages feedback, transparency, or open communication can
act as a significant barrier.
Example: In a blame-oriented culture, employees might avoid reporting mistakes.
f) Physical Barriers: Physical separation between team members, such as remote working or dispersed
offices, can hinder effective communication.
Example: Misalignment in time zones may delay responses in global teams.
To overcome communication barriers, individuals and organizations need to adopt a proactive approach by
identifying potential obstacles and implementing appropriate solutions. Effective communication requires
clarity, openness, and adaptability, both at interpersonal and organizational levels.
Transactional Analysis (TA) is a psychological framework that delves into the examination and study of
interpersonal transactions between individuals. These transactions encompass the myriad ways in which
people communicate and interact with one another. By analyzing these transactions, valuable insights can
be gained into both individual and group behaviour. Originally developed by Dr Eric Berne, a notable
psychotherapist, TA emerged from his observations of patients who appeared to possess multiple “selves,”
each expressing themselves in unique ways. Over time, Thomas A. Harris popularized TA and expanded its
applications.
At its core, TA posits that individuals have a complex nature, characterized by various aspects or states
within them. These different aspects are commonly referred to as ego states. To truly grasp the essence of
TA, it is important to consider these ego states alongside concepts such as life positions (fundamental
attitudes towards oneself and others) and types of transactions (the intricate patterns and dynamics of
interpersonal interactions). The transactional analysis offers a comprehensive lens through which
interpersonal behaviour can be analyzed and understood. By exploring how individuals interact,
communicate, and relate to one another, TA provides a valuable framework for unravelling the
complexities of human relationships.
Ego States
An ego state refers to the unique behavioural makeup of an individual, encompassing consistent patterns of
thoughts, emotions, and actions. Three distinct types of ego states exist within the framework of
Transactional Analysis :
1. Parental Ego State: The parental ego state develops as a result of internalizing the values and
behaviours observed in one’s parents during childhood. Operating from the parental ego state,
individuals tend to exhibit traits such as being protective, authoritative, impatient, and morally upright.
They may offer advice, clichés, and judgments, often with an unwavering conviction. Engaging with
someone in their parent ego state can be challenging, as they rely on rules, regulations, and expressions
of disapproval. It’s important to note that the parental ego state can manifest in two subtypes: nurturing
and critical. The nurturing parent is inclined to offer support and encouragement, while the critical
parent tends to be evaluative and fault-finding.
2. Adult Ego State: The adult ego state is characterized by a rational, analytical approach to decision-
making. It involves impartially weighing the pros and cons of a situation, relying on logical reasoning
and factual information. The adult ego state reflects a state of balanced maturity, where individuals draw
upon the lessons and experiences of their emotional childhood (child ego state) and the knowledge
accumulated from their parental ego state. In the adult ego state, individuals evaluate situations based on
reason and adaptability to the realities of adulthood.
3. Child Ego State: The child’s ego state is influenced by emotions, spontaneity, anxiety, fear, and a
desire for conformity. It reflects the experiences and conditions of early childhood. Operating from the
child’s ego state, individuals are more receptive to change, seek guidance from others, and may not
possess a strong self-regulatory ability. The child’s ego state has three distinct variations: natural,
adaptive, and rebellious. The natural child is characterized by affection, impulsiveness, self-indulgence,
and spontaneity. The adaptive child tends to conform to the expectations and demands of parents or
authority figures. On the other hand, the rebellious child expresses emotions such as anger, fear, and
frustration, often challenging rules and boundaries.
Life Positions
Life positions, also known as psychological positions, refer to the dominant philosophies or outlooks that
individuals develop early in life based on their continuous experiences. These positions are intimately tied
to an individual’s sense of identity, self-worth, and their perception of others. Life positions profoundly
shape how individuals behave and interact with others. Within Transactional Analysis, there are four
distinct life positions:
1. “I Am O.K. You Are O.K.”: The ideal life position is rooted in rationality and the adult ego state.
This life position typically emerges after individuals have had numerous positive experiences within
their families and society. Those who adopt this position exude confidence, competence, and a genuine
belief that life is worth living. They approach problem-solving constructively and exhibit a high level of
cooperation and collaboration. Managers who embrace this life position delegate authority effectively,
maintain emotional control, and display empathy towards others.
2. “I Am O.K. You Are Not O.K.”: This life position is commonly found among individuals who
feel victimized or persecuted. They perceive the world as their enemy, often stemming from experiences
of severe mistreatment during childhood, particularly by their parents. Such individuals tend to assign
blame to others for their misfortunes and struggle to trust people. Managers who embody this life
position tend to prioritize tasks over relationships, showing little regard for the emotions and feelings of
others. They resist delegating authority, viewing decentralization as a potential threat.
3. “I Am Not O.K. You Are O.K.”: Individuals adopting this life position feel powerless and inferior
in comparison to others. They frequently engage in chronic complaining and dissatisfaction. Managers
with this life position heavily emphasize interpersonal relationships, as their actions are guided by their
own emotions and feelings. They may use their negative emotions as a justification for acting out against
others. Their behaviour can be unpredictable and erratic.
4. “I Am Not O.K. You Are Not O.K.”: This is a desperate life position typically observed in
individuals who have experienced severe neglect from their parents and have been raised by servants or
other caretakers. They exhibit indifference towards people and objects, perceiving life as lacking worth.
Types of Transactions
Transactions can be classified into two main types based on the ego states of the individuals involved:
1. Complementary Transactions: In complementary transactions, the stimulus and response patterns
align or run parallel between ego states. This means that the communication is considered complete as
the expected response is received. There are nine possible complementary transactions, including adult-
adult, parent-child, adult-parent, adult-child, parent-parent, parent-adult, child-parent, child-adult, and
child-child transactions. Among these, adult-adult and parent-child transactions are generally considered
the most desirable. Both individuals engage in rational behaviour in adult-adult transactions, leading to
effective communication. Parent-child transactions can relieve subordinates from excessive burden and
pressure, but relying solely on this type of transaction may hinder their independent decision-making and
growth.
2. Cross Transactions: Cross-transactions occur when the stimulus and response lines do not align.
This means that the expected response is not received, leading to a mismatch in communication. For
instance, a manager may intend to interact with a subordinate on an adult-to-adult basis, but the
subordinate responds from a child-to-parent perspective. Cross-transactions are typically considered
undesirable as they impede effective communication and hinder further interaction.
Business Ethics
Business ethics refers to the moral principles and standards that guide behavior in the world of business. It
involves understanding and addressing the ethical dilemmas that arise in business environments to ensure
that actions and decisions are not only legally compliant but also morally sound. Here's a brief overview :
Key Components of Business Ethics:
1. Integrity: Acting honestly and consistently with ethical principles.
2. Fairness: Treating all stakeholders (employees, customers, suppliers) justly and equitably.
3. Transparency: Being open about business practices and decisions.
4. Accountability: Taking responsibility for the consequences of business actions.
5. Respect for Stakeholders: Valuing the interests and well-being of all affected parties.