Understanding Organizational Behavior

The outline of the author's theoretical model for definingand studying relevant variables in human personality and in organizations, andthe processes by which they influence one another. The data collection method,semi-structured interviews, is described, along with considerations involved inthe interviewer-respondent relationship. The model for analyzing the datainvolves quantification of demands made by the formal organization on theemployee; predispositions employees may wish to express, informal activitiesemployees create to adapt to the formal organization, and administrativereactions to the informal activities. Chapters are devoted to the usefulness ofthis approach both to the researcher and to management. Examples of theusefulness of the framework are presented in deepening of understanding of theorganization and in predicting human behavior within it. Evaluations of theusefulness of organizational analysis are provided from feedback sessions andinterviews with various levels of management. A section is devoted to keyquestions which yet remain unanswered.