Behavior in Organizations: Understanding and Managing the Human Side of Work

Three years ago, when the previous edition of this book was published, Enron and WorldCom were successful and highly acclaimed companies, involvement in a dot-corn was an assured path to riches, and September ii was just a date on the calendar. Today, that's all changed. In a very short time, it's become a different world, especially the business world. Companies that once moved "from bricks to clicks" today are returning to bricks, but are keeping the clicks as well. Many organizations that downsized in a sagging economy subsequently rehired employees, only to downsize once more. And, workplaces that used to be considered safe havens from the uncertainties of a sometimes-evil world, today are considered far more vulnerable than ever.

Because the field of OB is constantly adjusting to reality, we think of it—and this book—as "the ultimate reality show." As in the TV show, Survivor, only the most adaptable individuals and teams in the workplace can be expected to make it to tomorrow. And, as in the TV show, Big Brother, relationships with other people also hold the key to success at work. Finally, just as winners in these television programs stand to receive large sums of money and are likely to enjoy the experience of playing the game, so too do employers and employees benefit financially and personally when they have mastered OB. Unlike these so-called reality shows, with their carefully scripted scenarios and meticulously chosen casts, however, behavior in organizations is reality. Its effects are ongoing and profound. And this is why we consider it to be "the ultimate" in reality, and why we put so much care into preparing this book.

You would not have a serious OB book without paying attention to Weber's concept of bureaucracy, Maslow's need hierarchy theory, and dozens of other classic theories and studies. Such works are to be found on these pages. Competing for space are an equal number of more contemporary approaches to OB that also have received our attention. Consider, for example, just a few of the many new topics covered in this book:

Ethics audits, corporate social responsibility, e-training, Chief Knowledge Officer, successful intelligence, emoticons, organizational compassion`, religious intolerance, cyber-venting and much more!