MBA Assignment Organisational Development
MBA Assignment Organisational Development
11 April 2011
Mr Brett Cousins
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Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................3
Question 1: Define what Organisational Behaviour is and what Organisational
Development is...........................................................................................................4
Definition of Organisational behaviour (OB).............................................................4
Definition of Organisation development (OD)..........................................................5
Highlight the key elements and principles which may be part of OB and OD studies. 5
Key elements of OB.................................................................................................5
Key Principles of OB.................................................................................................5
The disciplines that contribute to OB include:......................................................5
Key elements of OD.................................................................................................5
Key Principles of OD.................................................................................................6
Question 2: Explanations of why an understanding of culture can assist an OD
consultant facilitate change in an organisation...........................................................6
What is culture?.......................................................................................................6
What is an OD consultant?.......................................................................................6
What is a change agent?..........................................................................................7
Organisation culture................................................................................................7
Why an understanding of culture can assist an OD consultant facilitate change in
an organisation?......................................................................................................7
Consider how culture is created and sustained; how employees learn culture; and
what organisational values tell us about culture.........................................................8
How culture is created?...........................................................................................8
How culture is sustained?........................................................................................8
How employees learn culture?.................................................................................8
What organisational values tell us about culture.....................................................9
Question 3: Theories and models of OD....................................................................10
Selection of two models of organisational development...........................................10
The model of stress...................................................................................................10
Figure 1: A Model of Stress.......................................................................................11
Explanation of the various process and elements associated with the stress model 12
The elements involved with the Model of stress....................................................12
The three potential sources of stress explained....................................................12
Individual differences and experiencing stress......................................................13
The consequences of stress...................................................................................14
Justification as to why the model is important as part of an understanding of OD?. .15
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Introduction
An organisation provides people with the structure and place for working and achieving goals set within
the organisation. The structure must be controlled and this is achieved by people in managerial positions.
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Management defines the goals that need to be achieved; the establishment of the strategy and set of plans
to achieve these goals is also part of the managers’ tasks of planning. The structure incorporates; what
tasks need to be done, who does these tasks, how the tasks are to be grouped, who reports to whom and
where the decisions are made. Controlling by management facilitates the monitoring, comparing, and
potential correcting of significant deviations when previous and current goals are compared. Managers
need specific set of skills to perform their tasks competently. These are technical skills which is the
ability to relate their specialized knowledge or expertise to a given task. Human skills incorporate the
ability to understand, work and motivate people, both in a group and individual setting. Conceptual skills
are the ability to analyze and diagnose complex situations (Robbins, Judge, Odendaal, Roodt, 2009: 5, 6).
According to Fred Luthans and his associates managers who moved up the quickest within an organisation
engaged in four managerial activities. Traditional management entails the actual decision making,
planning and controlling of the organisation. Communication within an organisation includes the task of
exchanging routine information and processing paper work within the organisation. Human resource
management involves its self with motivating, disciplining, managing conflict, staffing and training of the
employees. Networking entails socializing, politicking, and interacting with outsiders this managerial
activity relates to both the organisation and the managers personal networking (Robbins et., al 2009: 6).
The focus within this assignment includes the definition of what is organisational behaviour and
organisational development? An explanation of why an understanding of the organisations culture can
assist an organisation development consultant facilitates change within the organisation? The choice of
two models in relation to organisational development within organisations was selected and explained.
situations. The information acquired relating to the individuals, groups and structure within the
organisation becomes useful for the process of making the organisation more effective (Robbins et., al
2009: 7).
Key Principles of OB
OB is an applied behavioural science that is derived from a number of behavioural disciplines. Robbins
et., al (2009: 11) states that, “There are few, if any, simple and universal principles that explain
organisational behaviour.” However OB ideals must reflect on the direct situational, or contingency,
conditions to be able to offer reasonably accurate explanations or even make valid predictions, pertaining
to human behaviour. The science or disciplines of OB was developed by using general concepts to a
particular situation, person, or group.
Key elements of OD
Organisational development is the action the OD practitioner takes after establishing and analyzing the
organisational behaviour thus initiating the change process that will more than likely make the
organisation more effective. Organisational development focuses on culture and processes and
incorporates the collaboration between top management and employees in managing the culture and
processes, this is an important feature in OD as it aids with participation and involvement of problem
solving and decision making at all levels of the organisation. Teams are also important for OD activities
for establishing methods to improve organisational effectiveness and employee well being. There is also a
focus on the human and social aspect of the organisation in relation to OD, this also impacts and considers
the technological and structural aspects of the organisation. OD also has a focus on total system change.
The ability of the client system for OD to be able to solve its problems on its own is a goal of OD this
goal. These goals can be achieved by using an OD practitioner who are facilitators, collaborators and co –
learners. OD tries to find methods or ways to achieve the betterment of individuals and the organisation;
it also relies on an action research model (Regenesys Masters of Business Administration. 2011. Using the
Organisational behaviour and development study guide. Page 14-15).
Key Principles of OD
The following are the main principles or values involved with most OD practitioners work. Respect for
people is portrayed where an individual is perceived as being responsible, conscientious, and caring.
People should be treated with respect and dignity. Trust and support are the characteristics of an effective
and healthy organisation that includes trust, authenticity, openness, and a supportive climate within an
organisation. Power equalization is involved where the organisations have a hierarchical authority and
controlling the employees this way is considered to be effective. Confrontation is a method where the
problems within an organisation need to be discussed and solutions for resolving them obtained, the
problems should not be ignored. Participation of the employees allows for commitment in implementing
the change process and will be directly related to the participation of individuals involved in making the
decisions affecting that change (Robbins et., al 2009: 490).
What is culture?
“The shaping of the mind that distinguishes the members of one group or category of people from those of
another” (Grobler, Warnich,Carrell, Elbert, Hatfield, 2011: 638). Culture is the characteristic between
members of a group that is expressed as the collective; values, norms, traditions, and myths within
institutions. It defines people, context, human relationships and leaderships and incorporates close to all
aspects of business within an organisation (Grobler et., al 2011: 638).
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What is an OD consultant?
OD consultants provide the organisation with expert advice for adapting an established social science
theory and model for increasing profitability, productivity, and quality of work life
(http://www.odnetwork.org/odnc/whatis.htm)
Organisation culture
Organisational culture involves the perception employees have of the characteristics of the founder’s
vision that influences organisational culture in relation to what the founders want the culture to represent.
Organisational culture is also the ability to distinguish one organisation from another when comparing the
structure of shared meaning held by members of the same organisation with structure of shared meaning
held by members of a different organisation. The structure of shared meaning is actually a set of
important characteristics that an organisation values. The real meaning of organisational culture can be
represented by seven crucial characteristics. The characteristic that incorporates innovation and risk
taking where authority is given to individuals to be innovative and take risks in line with organisation’s
policies. Attention to detail is a characteristic that involves the competency to which employees
demonstrate precision, analysis, and attention to detail in relation to their work. The characteristic of
outcome orientation is the amount of emphasis management concentrates on outcomes rather than the
techniques and processes used to reach the specified or desired outcome. People orientation is a
characteristic that determines the effect of the outcomes on people within an organisation in relation to the
decisions taken by management. The team orientation characteristic is the measure of work activities
organized around teams rather than individuals. The characteristic depicting aggressiveness is the
measure of how aggressive or competitive people are in relation to be easy going within the organisation.
Stability is the characteristic where the determination to which the organisational activities concentrate on
preserving the status quo in comparison with organisational growth is reflected. These characteristics are
represented on a scale from low to high. For the OD consultant to have a clear understanding of the
organisational culture he or she should appraise the organisation on these seven characteristics (Robbins
et., al 2009: 424).
Therefore if the OD consultant has an understanding of the cultures of the organisation and the employees
that make up the organisation he/she can predict if the employees will be receptive or hostile to the
planned changes and processes desired for the organisation. With this information that, the OD consultant
has acquired he or she can try an effectively manage the change process within the organisation.
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Within the organisation the founders hire people who think and feel the way that they feel. The founders
also indoctrinate and socialize these employees to their way of thinking and feeling. They also apply the
ability to internalize the employees beliefs, values, and assumptions, the founders accomplish this with
their behaviour acting as a role model to the employees, so that it encourages employees to identify with
the founders (Robbins et., al 2009: 428).
new employees about the organisational culture. Rituals is also a method to teach the new employees the
organisational culture that basically emphasizes the repetition of activities that supports and demonstrates
the key values of an organisation, the goals that have high priority status, and the people who are
important and not expendable within the organisation. The material symbols are items such as the size of
the office, the executive, and dress attire perks. These symbols allow employees to determine who is
important, the degree of egalitarian wanted by top management, and the type of behaviour that is
appropriate. Language is also used to identify members of a culture or sub–culture. Members who learn
the languages used demonstrate that they accept the culture demonstrated and help preserve it (Robbins
et., al 2009: 433).
The organisational values and beliefs should be depicted in a way that the organisations employees
endeavor to meet the specified organisational goals, as well as the ideas the employees have for the
standard of behaviour they should maintain in attaining these goals. These organisational values and
beliefs help establish guidelines and expectations that stipulate the behavioural patterns appropriate for
employees for particular situations. Thereby guiding and controlling the interactions of all members
within the organisation (http://www.decurro.co.uk/samples/orgcul.pdf).
The organisational values are determined by the founder’s perception of his or her understanding of what
is right, good or desirable for the organisation. The organisations values therefore influence the
organisations culture, based on the fact that the founders of the organisation tend to hire people with
similar values as themselves so as to maintain their organisation culture. In large organisations where the
employees do not all have similar values, the organisational values are taught to these employees through
the cultural process, stories, rituals, material symbols and language. It is the values of the founders,
individuals, groups of individuals, and the mixture of different race groups that determine the culture
within the organisation, because people have their own specific emotions, egos and complex personalities.
An example of complex personalities within South Africa is due to the different cultures due to the
diversity of language, religion and race of the people that occupy South Africa.
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Organisational factors can cause stress as there is hardly ever a shortage of these factors. Examples of
these factors include but are not limited to; pressures caused by trying to avoid errors or trying to complete
tasks in a limited time period. These sorts of factors have been categorized. The task demand is a factor
that influences the job design of employees. An example of task demands can include but are not limited
to working conditions and the physical work layout of a task. The factor role demands is influenced by
the pressure associated with an individual’s role played in the organisation. An increase in stress can
result in one of three forms with this factor; that is role ambiguity which occurs when the employees are
not sure of what is expected of them. Role conflict with this factor the employee needs to fulfill two
expectations, but by fulfilling one expectation makes fulfilling the other expectation more difficult. Role
overload incorporates the concept where employees are expected to accomplish more than what time
allows.
Interpersonal demands are influenced by pressure created by other employees. Lack of social support
from colleagues and poor interpersonal relationships causes interpersonal demands and stress, especially
with employees with a high social need. Organisational structure this is where the level of differentiation
within the organisation, where the decisions and where the rules and regulations are defined. This factor
is associated with potential stress when the decisions and rules and regulations are taken without
consulting the employees. Organisational leadership has a focus on the managerial style of the
organisation’s senior executive has on creating stress for employees. In some organisations the senior
executives create a culture characterized by tension, fear and anxiety, where they impose unrealistic
pressures to perform in the short run, tight control, and if the employees cannot cope with these pressures
then they are fired. Organisation’s life stage this is basically the point where the organisation is positioned
in the process of the four stage organisation cycle of; being established, the organisation growing, the
organisation becoming mature, and where the organisation declines. This factor creates different
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problems and pressures for employees. The most stressful part of the cycle is the establishment and
decline phase of the cycle. The establishment phase is usually characterized by excitement and
uncertainty. The decline phase usually includes the process of cut–backs and lay–offs, and uncertainty
such as job insecurity. When employees take on extra responsibilities and work late to try and promote
their desirable image they subject themselves to an increase in their stress levels, which ultimately has an
impact on long term psychological and physical problems.
Individual factors take the employees personal life experience and associate, that to stress in relation to the
individual’s family issues, personal economic problems, and inherent personality characteristic. The
family issues relate to relationship problems that creates stress for the employee because, the stress is not
left behind when the employee arrives at work. Examples that can create this type of stress include but are
not limited to marital difficulties and discipline troubles with children. Economic problems occur when
individuals overextend their financial resources stress is created and distracts the employee’s attention
from their work. An illustration of this is when an individual has wants that always seem to exceed their
earning capacity. Inherent personality characteristic, this basically introduces the concept of an individual
that experiences elevated stress levels before actually staring their job at an organisation. According to
researchers an individuals’ personality may actually be the originator of stress expressed at work (Robbins
et., al 2009: 500-506).
Social support this is the effect of the level of support from supervisors, family and friends that is
available for an individual to manage the relationship between stressors and strains. People who receive
high levels of social support experience less strain than those that do not receive social support. This is
because the people who receive social support change their perception so that they realize that stressors
are damaging to their well being. Belief in locus of control this is an individuals’ perception of either
being in control (internal locus of control) or not being in control (external locus of control) of a situation.
Research identifies that people with an internal locus of control, generally have greater well being and
experience less stress at work. People with external locus of control tend to acquire illnesses more
frequently and experience job dissatisfaction. Hostility this pertains to a personality trait with a high level
of anger and hostility. Research show that people with this character trait increases a person’s stress
levels and also the risk of heart disease.
Self–efficacy relates to the belief an individual has relating to his or her own capabilities in performing a
challenging and demanding task. People with a high self–efficacy have a tendency to meet the job
demands even with the stressors present within the working environment. Research shows that
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individuals with a high self – efficacy has high levels of personal accomplishment in their jobs.
Experiencing stress is directly related to the individual differences mentioned above. When stress is
experienced it manifests itself as symptoms such as physiological, psychological, and behavioural
outcomes (Robbins et., al 2009: 500-506).
Physiological symptoms are the physical strain due to the stress processes that can be divided into short
and long term strain. Short term strain includes but is not limited to, reactions such as headaches and high
blood pressure. Long term strain includes but is not limited to, reactions such as heart diseases.
Psychological symptoms are a result that is influenced greatly by job dissatisfaction. Job stress and job
dissatisfaction is increased due to but not limited to factors such as; a lack of clarity of roles, lack of job
control and low level of variety. Behavioural symptoms are related to work stressors that require large
expenses on work organisations, and affect both the individual’s behaviour on job and away from it. The
distinctive behavioural symptom of stress, include the work role disruptions that is performance, mistakes
and accidents. The job flight behavioural symptom represents the staff turnover as well as absenteeism.
Aggressive behaviour at work includes vandalism and stealing from the organisation. Disruptions of
home life relating to the individuals experiences, difficulties with relationships, both martial and
friendship as well as community difficulties. Self damaging behaviours manifests itself when the
individual involves themselves with substance abuse and accidents (Robbins et., al 2009: 500-506).
With the ability to identify and address the sources or stressors of stress adequately within the
organisation, management benefits with an overall increase in productivity as well as the organisation
becoming more effective and efficient by implementing work environmental changes so as to reduce
stress. This is one of many desired outcomes of OD. With the result of the steps the organisation
implements to facilitate the work environment change to reduce stress among the employees, can
ultimately reduce some if not all the symptoms discussed under physiological, psychological and
behavioural consequences relating to stress induced by the working environment. This particular aspect
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facilitates in making the organisation an organisation that is a desirable for employees to work at reducing
staff turnover.
The disadvantage of this model is that the model for stress discussed does not recognize the good or
positive effect of stress that was defined by Selye as eustress. For example winning a race can be just as
stressful as losing the race. Good or positive stress can be helpful and good when it motivates people to
accomplish what is required and if possible achieve more than what is expected by the organisation
(http://www.stress.org/topic-definition-stress.htm). A balance of stress that was represented within the
model that affected the employees facilitates for effective and efficient productivity within the
organisation. The introduction of good or positive stress will also facilitate effective and efficient
productivity within the organisation.
Since this model is designed to identify major sources of stress affecting the employees within the
working environment, the model can assists the organisation with managing the stress experienced by the
employees and increase productivity. This is achieved by changing the working conditions so that the
employees experience less stress at work. The employee can also take personal responsibility in reducing
stress experienced at work. Management can utilize interventions to reduce stress within the workplace.
These interventions can be directed either directly to the work situations or the ability of the employee to
cope with the stress.
Does this Model fit into the South African (SA) context
Yes this model fits into the South African context, as stressors are a part of every culture and every
organisation and it influences stress associated with employees within an organisation. This model is
interchangeable in different organisations around the world as well and can assist the managers with
dealing with the overall stress related to work and improve the effective and efficient productivity of the
organisation.
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(http://www.expertprogrammanagement.com/2010/11/kotter-change-how-to-lead-change/)
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include but are not limited to the determination of values that are central to the change process. The
development of a short summary that highlights the direction of the future of the organisation. A strategy
to execute the vision and ensuring that the change coalition is able to describe the vision in five minutes or
less.
For an effective vision, six important characteristics need to be incorporated into the vision. Imaginable
characteristics of the vision communicates’ a clear picture of what the future of the organisation will look
like. Desirable characteristics of the vision facilitate the change needs to be attractive and interesting in
the view of the employees, customers, shareholders and others who have a stake in the organisation.
Feasible characteristics of the vision must portray realistic and attainable goals. Focused characteristics of
the vision must be clear enough to provide guidance in decision making. Flexible characteristics’ of the
vision needs to be able to allow for individual initiative and alternate responses in relation to changing
conditions. The ability of communicating the characteristics of the vision must ensure that the vision is
easily communicated and can be explained quickly.
the short-term wins fail then the people involved with the change will experience a sense of loss in
urgency to implement the change process. Early targets that are expensive should be avoided in the initial
implementation phase as justification of the investment needs to be clarified. Rewarding of individuals
that help meet certain targets pertaining to the short-term wins also helps with the motivation to see the
change process to the end.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi also known as Mahatma Gandhi desired a change that
India was to become independent from British control. This was because of World War II where Nazi
Germany invaded Poland. The British included India in the war, without consulting India’s inhabitants.
According to Gandhi India could not be involved in a war where the war was for freedom, and India
herself did not have freedom (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohandas_Karamchand_Gandhi).
Step eight: Anchor the change in corporate culture – Gandhi has failed at this step in the change process to
maintain the cultural change and implement the independence for the whole country ounce called the
British Indian Empire. The reason this statement was made because the British Indian Empire was united
and Gandhi’s insight and values that he had, was based on India as a whole country and not segregated by
religion http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohandas_Karamchand_Gandhi. However the actual change did
occur but not exactly according to Gandhi’s perception because the governance of India was given to
Indians by the British. Now India and Pakistan are independent neighboring countries.
Conclusion
In conclusion of this assignment, the understanding of the definitions of what organisational behaviour
and organisational development are, together with the understanding of organisational culture can help
assist management in changing certain aspects of the organisational behaviour and with the actual change
process of the organisation. For management to facilitate the organisational change, the employment of
OD consultant will help guide the employees in accepting and working toward achieving the goal of the
organisational change.
The understanding of the models selected and explained facilitate in providing a framework that the OD
consultant can use in understanding the employees stress levels and their fears associated with the change
process of the organisation. These models can also be utilized within a political environment. The stress
model can be used to assess the stressors among the people involved with the change process and a
method can be formulated to deal or cope with the stress experienced. Kotter’s 8 step change model can
be reflected upon the past change process involving the past such as Gandhi and the Indian National
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Congress and their endeavor to achieve an independent India. The 8 steps of Kotter’s change model can
also be perceived to being relevant to the method the ANC used to influence the changing of our nation.
Reference list
Grobler, P.A. et al. 2011. Human resource management in South Africa. 4th Edition. United Kingdom:
Cengage Learning EMEA.
http://www.decurro.co.uk/samples/orgcul.pdf searched 31 March 2011
Robbins, S.P. et al. 2009. Organisational behaviour global and Southern African perspectives. 2nd Edition.
South Africa: Pearson Education South Africa.