Organizational Behaviour and Work: A critical introduction

Description

As the most critical yet accessible introduction to organizational behaviour and work this book will help you understand the complexities of organizational life and evaluate modern business practices. Classic organizational behaviour topics such as team-working, motivation, and change are complemented by core critical approaches such as power and control, organizational misbehaviour, and health and well-being through a clear three-part structure. Students are encouraged to look beyond a descriptive approach and truly engage with the content. Examples and 'Stop and Think' boxes placed throughout chapters, as well as end-of-chapter case studies with accompanying questions, provide the opportunity for this engagement and show how each chapter's theoretical coverage applies in real-life business situations. Suggestions of films and novels which relate to the chapter topic provide further opportunities to see organizational behaviour in context and demonstrate just how prevalent its principles are in everyday life. The accessible style assumes no prior knowledge on the part of the reader, and the full range of themes and topics explored provides a rich picture of the realities of organizational behaviour and work. This book is accompanied by a selection of online resources, including: For students: Glossary Web links Critical thinking exercises For lecturers: PowerPoint slides Questions for research and discussion Additional case studies Group exercises Cover Brief contents Detailed contents About the Author Acknowledgements How to Use the Book How to Use the Online Resources Introduction Further Reading Research Questions References Part 1 Approaching management critically 1 Setting the scene Introduction Scene setting Globalization Human trafficking and modern-day slavery Corporate social responsibility and ethical behaviour The growth of the enterprise economy Trends in the working population Income and social mobility Men and women working Men, women, and management Mothers’ and fathers’ attitudes to work and family Working hours Part-time working Homeworking More scene-setting issues Key Points Case Study Further Reading Links to Films and Novels Research Questions References 2 Employees’ views of work Introduction Alienation The experience of the assembly line Making work manageable The experience of work in the call centre Class and orientation to work What work means Measuring the meaning of work Job redesign to improve the intrinsic meaning of work Class, gender, and the meaning of work More ‘not so good’ and ‘unskilled’ low-paid jobs The experience of catering work Working-class kids, working-class jobs, and the case of care assistants The experience of homeworking Conclusion Key Points Case Study Further Reading Links to Films and Novels Research Questions References 3 Managerial views of work Introduction The definition of ‘management’ Research on the role of the manager Management as a profession Middle management Success in management Management and gender The reality for the woman manager ‘Double jeopardy’: the reality for the ethnic minority woman manager Surprises in managerial work Standing back from managerial work Conclusion Key Points Case Study Further Reading Links to Films and Novels Research Questions References 4 The rationality of management Introduction Early management thinkers and rationality The rationale of scientific management and Taylorism Henry Ford Routinization, the detailed division of labour, and modern-day Taylorism The rationale of the human relations movement Job redesign The rationale of fitting workers to jobs Eugenics Intelligence testing Vocational guidance: testing, then fitting people to jobs Conclusion Key Points Case Study Further Reading Links to Films and Novels Research Questions References 5 Sexuality, sex typing, and gender Introduction Sexuality in organizations The sex typing of male and female jobs The sex stereotype and emotional labour Masculinity and managing feelings Feeling in control Accounting for emotion Organizational romance Sexual harassment Conclusion Key Points Case Study Further Reading Links to Films and Novels Research Questions References Part 2 Classic organizational behaviour and the critique 6 Motivation Introduction Motivation as a problem Content theories of motivation Process theories of motivation Further considerations on motivation Job satisfaction and positive outcomes for organizations Conclusion Key Points Case Study Further Reading Links to Films and Novels Research Questions References 7 Leadership Introduction Thinking about leadership A trait theory of leadership Style theories and democratic leadership Task- versus relations-oriented leadership Consideration versus initiating structure Transactional versus transformational leadership Situational leadership Emotion and leadership Gender and leadership Spirituality and leadership Race and leadership Class and leadership Conclusion Key Points Further Reading Research Questions References 8 Perception Introduction The study of perception Gestalt psychology and perception Attribution theory Conformity Implicit personality theory The logical error Stereotypes and prejudice The distortion of perception The halo effect Frames and their effect on perception Classifications and their consequences Perceptions of employers by employees and the psychological contract Self-perception Further ways in which perception can be shaped Conclusion Key Points Case Study Further Reading Links to Films and Novels Research Questions References 9 Personality Introduction Personality theory Personality traits and tests Intelligence testing and personality Emotional intelligence and psychometric testing Some difficulties with measuring and testing personality Personality theory and problematic behaviour Personality, integrity, and dishonesty at work Judging competence at work Personality and leadership Is looking at personality traits enough? Conclusion Key Points Further Reading Links to Films and Novels Research Questions References 10 Organizational learning Introduction The concept of organizational learning Individual learning Group learning Organizational learning Learning about language in organizations Developing a critical consciousness Conclusion Key Points Case Study Further Reading Links to Films and Novels Research Questions References 11 Culture Introduction The concept of culture Understanding culture Do the ‘best’ cultures lead to ‘best’ performance? Critically assessing whether culture can be managed National and organizational cultures Problems with trying to manage culture Describing (rather than prescribing) culture Culture and change Culture and gender Culture and race Further aspects of culture Conclusion Key Points Case Study Further Reading Links to Films and Novels Research Questions References 12 Teams and teamworking Introduction Teamwork and teamworking Popular views of teamworking A historical view of teamworking Making claims about teamworking Teamworking and gender Conclusion Key Points Case Study Further Reading Links to Films and Novels Research Questions References 13 Structure Introduction Weber on bureaucracy The advantages of bureaucracy The unintended consequences and dysfunctions of bureaucracy Bureaucracy, emotion, and gender Rationality and the service sector The case of McDonald’s McDonaldization Organizational variation in structure Conclusion Key Points Further Reading Links to Films and Novels Research Questions References 14 All change? Introduction New forms of organization Change in organizations Technology and change The knowledge economy and knowledge workers New organizations? The Japanese model Change—or continuity? Conclusion Key Points Case Study Further Reading Links to Films and Novels Research Questions References Part 3 The core of critical approaches 15 Managerial power and control Introduction The sources and definition of ‘power’ Managerial prerogative Workers’ power Managing to empower Control and surveillance Technology Technology and surveillance Business process re-engineering Conclusion Key Points Case Study Further Reading Links to Films and Novels Research Questions References 16 Organizational misbehaviour Introduction Resistance and organizational misbehaviour Cheating, fraud, and theft Virtual crime Swearing and abusive language Swindling Lying Denial Rudeness and bullying Sabotage Struggles relating to time Gossip Fun and humour Managing organizational misbehaviour Conclusion Key Points Case Study Further Reading Links to Films and Novels Research Questions References 17 Voluntary, not-forprofit, and alternative organizations Introduction Voluntary work Not-for-profit Cooperatives The Israeli kibbutz Yugoslav self-management Employee involvement: profit sharing and share ownership Conclusion Key Points Case Study Further Reading Links to Films and Novels Research Questions References 18 Health, well-being, emotion, and stress Introduction Violence and abuse Stress The management of emotions Being unemployed Being ‘on the fiddle’ or working ‘on the side’ ‘Non-work’ Conclusion Key Points Case Study Further Reading Links to Films and Novels Research Questions References Glossary Index