Most Of The Research In OB Has Been Concerned With Three Att ✓ Solved

Most Of The Research In Ob Has Been Concerned With Three Attitudes

Most of the research in organizational behavior (OB) has been concerned with three attitudes: job satisfaction, job involvement, and organizational commitment. These attitudes are fundamental in understanding employee behavior and their overall attitudes toward work. Job satisfaction refers to the level of contentment an individual feels about their job, encompassing aspects such as work environment, compensation, and recognition. It reflects how positively or negatively an employee perceives their job and whether they feel fulfilled by their work. Job involvement, on the other hand, relates to the degree of psychological identification an employee has with their job. Higher involvement indicates that employees see their job as a significant part of their identity and are committed to performing well because they view their work as integral to their self-concept. Organizational commitment is the employee’s attachment to their organization, often influencing their willingness to stay with the company and their loyalty. It encompasses affective commitment (emotional attachment), continuance commitment (perceived costs of leaving), and normative commitment (sense of obligation). While these attitudes are interconnected, they differ in focus—job satisfaction centers on how employees feel about their work, job involvement on their cognitive and emotional integration with the job, and organizational commitment on their allegiance and loyalty to the organization.

Regarding the comparison of Clara and Jeff’s levels of job satisfaction, it is essential to explore how their respective job conditions, compensation, and personal circumstances influence their attitudes towards work. Clara, a retail clerk earning $35,000 annually, benefits from flexible scheduling around her daughter's school activities and has job security due to her seniority, which also allows her to avoid working on holidays. These factors contribute positively to her job satisfaction, as flexibility and job security are significant contributors to contentment. Jeff, a new engineer earning $75,000, faces a more stressful work environment with fixed office hours from 8:00 to 5:00, and the stress of project deadlines often requires working weekends and sometimes holidays, albeit from home. His higher salary may enhance his financial satisfaction, but the high stress level and rigid schedule could diminish his overall satisfaction. Measuring their satisfaction would involve using validated survey instruments such as the Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS) or the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ), which assess various facets of job contentment. It is also vital to consider their perceptions of work environment, work-life balance, and organizational support. Three major job attitudes influencing their satisfaction are job satisfaction itself, job involvement, and organizational commitment. Clara’s positive work environment and flexibility likely bolster her involvement and commitment, whereas Jeff’s stressful and demanding work conditions may lead to lower satisfaction despite his higher compensation.

Workforce Diversity and Key Managerial Skills

Workforce diversity refers to the presence of differences among employees in an organization, which may include variations in race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, disability, and cultural background. Embracing diversity involves recognizing these differences as assets that can foster innovation, creativity, and a broader range of perspectives. Managing a diverse workforce requires specific skills, chief among them being cultural competence—the ability to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people across cultures. Managers must develop cultural awareness, sensitivity, and adaptability to create an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued and respected. Effective communication and conflict resolution skills are also crucial, as misunderstandings and biases can arise in diverse settings. Managers must be capable of addressing biases and promoting equity within the workplace. Leadership that encourages openness and inclusiveness supports the development of a cohesive team, regardless of differences. Therefore, cultivating cultural competence enables managers to leverage diversity for organizational success, fostering a positive and productive work atmosphere.

References

  • Greenberg, J., & Baron, R. A. (2021). Behavior in Organizations (10th ed.). Pearson.
  • Cascio, W. F., & Boudreau, J. W. (2016). The Search for Global Competence: How Cultural Intelligence Develops and How to Measure It. Journal of International Business Studies, 47(1), 123-142.
  • Robbins, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2019). Organizational Behavior (18th ed.). Pearson.
  • Thomas, D. C., & Ely, R. J. (1996). Making differences matter: A new paradigm for managing diversity. Harvard Business Review, 74(5), 79-90.
  • Murphy, K. R. (2008). Workforce diversity: A management perspective. Journal of Applied Psychology, 93(2), 320-328.
  • Cohen, R., & Swerdlow, J. L. (2014). Diversity in the workplace: Benefits, challenges, and management strategies. Journal of Business and Psychology, 29(4), 599-605.
  • Festing, M., & Birkner, S. (2019). Managing cross-cultural diversity. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 30(4), 629-651.
  • Mor Barak, M. E. (2014). Managing Diversity: Toward a Globally Inclusive Workplace. SAGE Publications.
  • Shen, J., Chanda, A., D’Netto, B., & Monga, M. (2009). Managing diversity through human resource management: An international perspective and conceptual framework. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 20(2), 235-251.
  • Gordon, M. E. (2014). Understanding cultural competence in healthcare. Journal of Healthcare Management, 59(2), 85-95.