Understanding

Organizational Behaviour
Second Edition

1 HE Titles
 ROLES AND ROLE EFFECTIVENESS

Role
• position a person occupies in a social system
• defined by functions performed in response to
- expectations of the ‘significant’ members of the
system
- one’s own expectations from that position or office
 ROLE Vs OFFICE

• Role
Obligational
Integrated set of behaviour

• Office
Relational & power-related concept
Hierarchical position & privileges
Point in the social structure

1 HE Titles
 Position/Office and Role

Office/Position Role

Is based on power relations Is based on mutuality

Has related privileges Has related privileges

Is usually hierarchical Is non-hierarchical

Is created by others Is created by others and the role occupant

Is part of the structure Is part of the dynamics

Is evaluative Is descriptive
Organisation as a Structure of Offices/ Positions

Orgn A Orgn B

C D

E F G
H I J
Organisation as a System of Roles
A
I
B

F E
Hierarchy of some work - related terms

W O R K

OFFICE ROLE JOB

FUNCTIONS

TASKS
Role as integrating point of Organisation & Individual

1 HE Titles
Role as region of individual – Organisation Interaction
 ROLE SYSTEMS
Role space
 Dynamic interrelationship between the self and the various
roles of an individual
 Self is in the centre of role space, with his several roles at
varying distances from the self

Role set
 Pattern of interrelationships between a focal role and other roles
 Occupant’s role (focal role) is in the centre of the role set
 All other roles are at various points in the role set
 ROLE EFFICACY
•Requisite knowledge
•Technical competence
•Skills required for the role
•Role design

Role efficacy is the psychological factor underlying role

effectiveness which has many dimensions like

•Role Making
•Role Centering
•Role Linking
 Role Making

• Self-role integration
• Proactivity
• Creativity
• Conformation

1 HE Titles
 Role Centering

• Centrality

• Influence

• Personal Growth

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 Role Linking

• Inter-role linkage

• Helping relationship

• Superordination

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 INCREASING ROLE EFFICACY
• Self role integration
• Proactivity
• Creativity
• Confrontation
• Centrality
• Influence
• Growth
• Inter-role linkage
• Helping
• Superordination

1 HE Titles
 Glossary
• Inter role distance: Conflict possibilities
• Intra role
• Role making
• Role set
• Role taking
• Role space
• Self-role integration

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 Assignment

• Write a role description for any role in the

institute i.e. tasks+ activities + behaviours.

1 HE Titles