Anchors of Organizational Behavior

The five anchors of organizational behavior guide thinking about organizations and how to study them.

Organizational behavior is the study of how individuals and groups behave and interact within organizations. These behaviors affect the way groups and teams are formed, what is considered important or unimportant, and how work environments are managed. Behavioral factors have a strong effect on the efficiency of the organization and on job satisfaction. Research into organizational behavior is guided by five driving principles or anchors.

1. The Multidisciplinary Anchor

o Organizational behavior is a discipline and within it theories and models of behavior are developed. However, researchers in this discipline must also scan a variety of other disciplines and draw from them relevant information and ideas. Some these disciplines include psychology, anthropology, sociology. communications and technology.

The Systematic Research Anchor

o Researchers in the field of organizational behavior rely on scientific method in conducting studies. The systematic research anchor dictates that organizations collect information and data in a detailed and systematic way and that statements and assumptions be tested in quantitative ways.

The Contingency Anchor

o Different actions and decisions may have different consequences in different settings. The contingency anchor requires an awareness that no single solution will work in every situation and that organizational solutions to problems need to take the specifics of a given situation into account. There is a need to evaluate specific situations and select a solution that fits the situation to which it is to be applied.

The Multiple Levels of Analysis Anchor

o This anchor dictates that solutions be evaluated from the perspectives