NATURE OF OB

OB is A field of study �Interdisciplinary approach �An applied science�Normative & value centered humanistic & optimistic �Objective oriented �A total system approach

1. NATURE OF OB ( BY. Dr. Debajani Palai, Faculty IMIT) SUB POINTS A field of study Interdisciplinary approach An applied science Normative & value centered humanistic & optimistic Objective oriented A total system approach NATURE

2. A Field Of Study Not A Discipline A discipline is an accepted science with a theoretical foundation that serves as the basis for research &analysis. So it is not accepted as science. OB can be treated as a distinct field of study not a discipline. OB because of its broad base it can be regarded as inter disciplinary approach. OB focuses on principles, concepts, practices & processes in the field of enquiry. So it is reasonable to call OB as a field of study.

3. Inter Disciplinary Approach An interdisciplinary approach integrates the relevant knowledge drawn from different disciplines for some specific purpose. OB draws heavily from Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology etc. These disciplines exist separately, but OB integrates the relevant contents of these disciplines to make them applicable for organizational analysis. So OB is nothing apart from the integration of knowledge from different disciplines.

4. An Applied Science The basic objective of OB is to make application of various researches to solve the organizational problems particularly related to human behavior aspect. It is not a pure science. It concentrates on applied researches. Though many of the researches may be carried on in laboratory situations & controlled conditions, they are meant for general application in organizational analysis. Thus OB is a Science as well as an Art.

5. Normative & Value Centered OB is a normative science. A normative science, is not like the positive science (which suggests only cause-effect relationship). OB studies how various findings of the researches can be applied to get organizational results which are acceptable to the society. So what is acceptable by the society or individuals engaged in an organization is a matter of values to the people concerned (which is not explained in the positive science). As OB deals with value judgment it can be regarded as a normative science.

6. Humanistic & Optimistic OB focuses the attention on people from humanistic point of view. It is based on the belief that needs & motivation of people are of high concern. There is an acceptance of the value of the individual as a thinking, feeling organism, & without these considerations the organizations may not be fully operational as a social entity. Further, there is optimism about the innate (instinct) potential of man to be independent, creative, productive & capable of contributing positively to the objectives of the organization.

7. Objective Oriented As OB focuses on both science & humanistic approach it is always objective oriented. Though an organization may have several objectives & sometimes conflicting with individual objectives, it should not be understood that OB only emphasizes the achievements of individual objectives at the cost of organizational objectives. In fact, OB tries to integrate both types of objectives so that these are achieved simultaneously.

8. A Total System Approach OB is total systems approach wherein the living system of an organization is viewed as an enlargement of a man. The systems approach is an integrative approach which takes into account all the variables affecting organizational functioning. In fact, the systems thinking in organization analysis has been developed by behavioral scientists. Behavioral science, while analyzing organizational behavior, does not take human being in isolation but as the product of socio-psychological factors. Thus man’s nature is quite complex, & OB by applying systems approach tries to find solution of this complexity.