Organizational Behavior Trends

According to Schermerhorn, Hunt and Osborn, organizational behavior, OB for short, is the study of human behavior in an organization. It is a multidisciplinary field devoted to understanding individual and group behavior, interpersonal processes and organizational dynamics. (2005, p.10) Schermerhorn et al. go on to say that organizational behavior is about everyday people who work and pursue careers in demanding settings. OB is about common themes that characterize modern workplace such as: ethical behavior, globalization, technology, diversity, performance and work-life. (2005, p. 10) Today’s workplace environment with globalization and technology is creating more diversity and making the operation of an organization more complex and difficult to manage. We are surrounded by change and its implications in organizations. With electronic commerce, demand for competencies, evolving technology and commitment to personal improvement, business today is under constant revision. (2000, p.4) This paper will discuss the influence of ethics on decision making and how technology impacts work-related stress.

Because one trend in organizational behavior is an increase in the diversity of populations in any given corporation, we first need to define diversity. Diversity in the workplace is defined as differences based on gender, race and ethnicity, age and being able-bodied. (2000, p.5) Schermerhorn et al go on to describe success in today’s workplace requires a set of skills for working with a broad mix of people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, of different ages and genders and of different domestic and national cultures. (2000, p.5) Corporations today often spread operations into multi-state regions and even other countries in order to get the most experienced and often more price competitive workforce. This growth has spawned an increase in having numerous backgrounds in an organization and thus has made the workplace more intricate. Valuing diversity is an OB theme. It refers to managing and working with others in full respect for their differences. Interpersonal sensitivity and cultural respect are indispensable to valuing diversity and ethics. (2000, p.5)

The subject of ethical behavior cannot be stressed enough says Schermerhorn et al. Ethical dilemma is a situation in which a person must decide whether or not to do something that, although