Organizational Behavior Terminology and Concepts

Organization Behavior Terminology and Concepts

In order to better understand the concepts of organizational behavior, several key terms need to be defined and explained. Some of these key terms include organizational behavior, organizational culture, diversity, communication, organizational effectiveness and efficiency, and organizational learning. To get a better understanding of each of these terms, examples will be given for each term as it applies to National Gypsum Company.

Organizational behavior is defined as the study of individuals and groups in organizations. (Schermerhorn, 2005) Organizational behaviors are the way in which employees or teams conduct themselves with in the organization. The organization may set the tune with its mission, vision, and value statements, and also through the plants handbook. These guides are used to ensure that the entire organization is working towards the same goals and conducting them selves in a manner that is considered positive by the management team. Overall, National Gypsum strives to be the best gypsum wallboard manufacturer at the lowest cost. The plants within the organization, through the guidance of the vision, value, and mission statement, work towards accomplishing this goal. With limited resources in place due to production budgets put in place by the organization the plants operate in a manner that is considered to be appropriate by the organization. Individuals and teams with in the plants may do things differently and be effective, but when you look at the big picture the organizations guidelines are being met at all levels.

Organizational culture is defined as the system of shared actions, values, and beliefs that develops within an organization and guides the behavior of its members. (Schermerhorn, 2005) The shared actions, values, and beliefs are passed along in forms of stories, myths, rites, shared values, and symbols. These are put into place by the organization or started and passed along by the employees. National Gypsum has put several of these elements in place to create the organizational culture. The organization has shared values by following the vision and value statements put out by the organization. The organization also uses symbols in the bundling tape that is put on the end of every board. This tape is bright in color and has the company name and logo on it. The employees have many stories to tell of adventures at National Gypsum, and those employees that were around in the early 80's, when the company went through several different owners have many stories and myths. A ritual that is common at the plant level each month is the shift sits down to have lunch together and safety is usually talked about at this lunch.

Diversity is defined as a different kind; a variety. (Abate, 1998) When looking at the diverse world that we live in today many differences in every day people are seen, such as race, religion, ethics, morals, age, background, life and work experience, politics, financial, and education. At first glance it would seem that a diverse workforce may be harmful to the organization because the diverse group would not be able to get along or understand each other due to their differences. Having a diverse workforce is a plus for the organization because the differences in the people will allow them to view and handle tasks and problems with a different perspective. This adds great value to the organization as a whole. National Gypsum employees a very diverse workforce that includes eighteen to sixty-five year olds, preachers to convicted felons, high school drop outs to employees with masters degrees, and any gender or race that there is. This diverse group fills positions from the CEO to the research department to the management team to the lowest employee in the plants, all of which is equally important to the organization. I believe that because of this diversity and views from all of the different perspectives that the organization runs a lot smoother.

Communication is defined as a progress of sending and receiving massages with attached meanings. (Schermerhorn, 2005) Communication seems pretty simple;