Essay Questions Organizational
Behaviour
- Fleur Bongers
1
,Chapter 1
Answers to choose from:
Influences, Studies, Measuring, Explaining, Consumer behavior, Groups, Experiments,
Cultural rites and rituals, Research, Analyzes, Studying power structures, Realities,
Bureaucratic, Post-bureaucratic, Predictable, Unpredictable, Informal, Impractical, Logically,
Formal style, Records, Control, Flexibility, Performance
Organizational Behavior (OB) is a field of study that delves into how people are
____________, ____________, and ____________ by the world around them, as well as
how they behave within the context of organizations. This multidisciplinary field relies
primarily on five distinct disciplines to gain comprehensive insights into the complexities of
human behavior.
1. Sociology: One of the foundational disciplines in OB, sociology explores how society
____________ individuals, with a particular emphasis on the idea that actions are
shaped by social context. For instance, researchers might focus on ____________ to
determine how societal norms influence an individual's decision to pursue a career in
a specific field, such as medicine or engineering.
2. Psychology: This discipline within OB is dedicated to ____________, ____________,
and sometimes changing human behavior. Often regarded as the science of the mind,
psychologists in OB might engage in experiments to understand the cognitive
processes behind decision-making. For example, they may investigate ____________
to explore why people choose certain products over others.
3. Social Psychology: Connecting the realms of sociology and psychology, social
psychology in OB explores how ____________ impact individual perspectives.
Researchers might delve into ____________ to understand how group dynamics
affect individual behavior, such as studying how peer pressure influences a person's
choices.
4. Anthropology: OB draws insights from anthropology to investigate ____________
that shape group dynamics and behaviors within organizations. Anthropologists in
OB may engage in ____________ of remote tribes to comprehend how their cultural
practices and customs impact their way of life.
5. Political Science: Applied to organizational behavior, political science in OB
____________ within organizations. Researchers may be involved in ____________
within a multinational corporation to analyze how power structures influence
decision-making and resource allocation.
The ____________ of OB is a testament to its holistic approach to understanding human
behavior in organizational settings. It is an applied discipline, deeply interested in the
____________ of real organizations. In the modern landscape, organizations are shifting
from traditional, ____________ structures to more dynamic, ____________ ones. This shift
is often referred to as the movement from ____________ to ____________ organizations.
The latter is characterized by a more ____________ approach, recognizing the challenges of
managing large organizations with a personal touch.
As organizations grow in size, the ____________ of personal control becomes more
challenging. Direct management by a single individual at the top of the hierarchy is often
____________. Instead, OB suggests that organizational structures and procedures should
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,be designed ____________ and systematically. This includes embracing ____________ and
hierarchy, establishing clear rules, policies, and maintaining accurate ____________.
In the age of technology, contemporary organizations leverage computer technology to
____________ aspects of organizational activity. This trend is particularly evident in today’s
gig economy, where ____________ is a key aspect of organizational dynamics.
In conclusion, OB as an interdisciplinary field offers valuable insights into the intricacies of
human behavior within organizations. Its applied nature makes it a vital discipline for those
seeking to comprehend and improve real-world organizational ____________.
Answers:
Managed, motivated, shaped, sociology, influences, studies, psychology, measuring,
explaining, consumer behavior, social psychology, groups, experiments, anthropology,
cultural rites and rituals, research, political science, analyzes, studying power structures,
interdisciplinary nature, realities, bureaucratic, post-bureacratic, predictable, unpredictable,
informal, notion, impractical, logically, formal style, records, control, flexibility, performance
3
, Chapter 2
Max Weber's Vision of Bureaucracy: A Sociological
Perspective
Answers to choose from:
societies, regulations, authority, qualifications, personal, operations, society, authority,
followers, structures, bureaucracy, individual's
Max Weber, a pioneering sociologist, provided a profound analysis of __________,
conceptualizing it as a highly structured, formalized, and impersonal organizational system.
According to Weber, the essence of an organization lay in its defined hierarchical structure
and the establishment of clear rules, regulations, and lines of __________ governing its
functioning.
Weber's concept of bureaucratic management extended beyond a mere organizational
structure; it proposed a distinctive approach to managing institutions. Central to this
approach were five key features: a hierarchical structure, management by rules, organizing
by functional specialty, purposely impersonal interactions, and employment based on
technical __________. These principles, Weber argued, fostered loyalty among employees
towards their immediate superiors, anchoring their commitment within the organizational
hierarchy rather than to the organization as a whole.
Despite his endorsement of bureaucratic principles, Weber was wary of its increasing
dominance within __________ and the potential negative repercussions it might have on
both individuals and societal structures. He introduced the idea of rational–legal authority, a
leadership form tethered to legal rationality, legitimacy, and __________. In this model,
authority derives not from tradition or the charisma of an individual leader, but from the
formal office held and the bureaucratic rules and procedures associated with that position.
Weber distinguished three types of legitimate authority within this framework. Charismatic
authority rests on the personal qualities and charisma of an individual leader, inspiring
intense devotion among __________. Traditional authority finds its legitimacy in long-
standing customs, traditions, and hereditary succession, providing stability. Rational-legal
authority, prevalent in modern bureaucratic societies, is grounded in rules, laws, and
established procedures, ensuring stability through institutional __________.
Integral to Weber's bureaucratic model are key characteristics essential for efficient
__________. The functional division of labor ensures that tasks are clearly defined and
distributed based on specialized roles, contributing to increased productivity. A hierarchical
structure with a pyramid-like authority establishes a clear chain of command, minimizing
ambiguity. Formal rules and __________ standardize operations, promoting consistency and
providing a framework for action. Impersonality ensures that personal characteristics do not
influence professional decisions, contributing to the fairness of bureaucratic decision-
making. Unbiased decision-making processes, especially in recruitment, selection, and
promotion, emphasize merit and qualifications over __________ preferences.
Weber's model of bureaucracy underscores the significance of efficiency, specialization, and
rational decision-making within organizational settings. While acknowledging its advantages,
Weber also cautioned against the potential drawbacks, providing a nuanced understanding
of the role of bureaucracy in shaping modern __________.
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