Organizational Behaviour

Organizational Behavior

University of applied sciences: Hochshcule Offenburg MBA- IBC Ms. Zuzana Duffkova

24.02.2012

By

Engin Akgul (174538)

Mohamed Abdelghany  (174536)

Suresh Raman (174552)

Introduction

This assignment illustrates the various methods that can be used to study individuals and their actions within the context of the organization.

The core concepts used in this assignment are cultural differences, Critical incidents, and social styles. Alexander Thomas describes culture as a universal phenomenon, and cultural differences are the variations in the way of life, beliefs, traditions, and laws between different countries, religions, societies, and people. Cultures can be described according to the analysis of Geert Hofstede. His value dimension helps us to classify cultural differences. The Value dimensions can be categorized as power distance, Individualism-collectivism, Uncertainty avoidance, and Masculinity- Feminity. Most of the Hofstede’s value dimensions can be witnessed in each of the situations mentioned below.

The second core concept is the critical incident. It is a common occurrence of interaction between persons with different cultural backgrounds. It can also be a situation which both parties find conflicting, confusing, or can misinterpret. It is a state which can be interpreted in a fairly unequivocal manner, given sufficient knowledge about the culture.

The third core concept is social styles. It is a tool for understanding our basic behaviors and how individuals prefer different behavioral styles. It helps to enhance a person’s ability to understand, cooperate, and modify behavior to be more effective in interacting with a diverse range of people. It is broadly classified into assertiveness and responsiveness. Assertiveness is the degree in which one tends to ask or tell something during interactions. Responsiveness is the degree in which one can control or emote. The assertiveness is plotted on the horizontal scale and responsiveness is plotted on the vertical scale. By combining assertive and responsive behaviors, a person is charted into one of the four quadrants or social style positions.

Driver (Tell Assertive + Control Responsive): These individuals are seen as strong-willed and more emotionally controlled.

Expressive (Tell Assertive + Emote Responsive): These folks are described as outgoing and more dramatic.

Amiable (Ask Assertive + Emote Responsive): These persons are seen as easy-going and supportive.

Analytical (Ask Assertive + Control Responsive): These beings are described as serious and more exacting.

Reading social style and behaving accordingly helps us to consider others as they want to be treated. This is one of the points in Steven Covey’s 7 habits of highly successful people.