1.3 Chapter Summary

This book is about people at work. Organizations come in many shapes and sizes. Organizational behaviour is the systematic study and application of knowledge about how individuals and groups act within the organizations where they work. OB matters for your career, and successful companies tend to employ effective OB practices.

We have covered methods organizations might use to address issues related to the way people behave at work. In addition, you should now be familiar with the large number of factors, both within an individual and within the environment, that may influence a person’s behaviours and attitudes. In the coming years, society is likely to see a major shift in the way organizations function, resulting from rapid technological advances, social awareness, and cultural blending. OB studies hope to enhance an organization’s ability to cope with these issues and create an environment that is mutually beneficial to the company as well as its employees.

OB researchers (i.e., consulting firms)  test hypotheses using different methods such as surveys, field studies, case studies, and meta-analyses. Reliability refers to the consistency of the measurement, while validity refers to the underlying truth of the measurement. It is important to recognize the difference between correlation and causation.

Trends include ethical challenges, rapid technological change, a flattening world, sustainable business practices, demographic trends, and the global marketplace. A number of trends will influence the way work gets done today and in the future. Understanding organizational behaviour will help you anticipate and adapt to these changes as a lifelong learner.

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