HOW ORGANISATIONS CAN BENEFIT FROM INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATIONS

PSYCHOLOGISTS TO COPE WITH MODERN CHALLENGES

Psychology as a discipline is defined as the scientific study of the behaviors and mental
processes of both humans and animals in order to understand, organize, direct, predict and
modify behaviors (Olowookere, 2012). Industrial and Organizational Psychology is the sub
field of psychology that applies psychological principles in proffering solutions to workplace
problems. It is also known by others names, which include work psychology, occupational
psychology and business psychology among others. Landy and Conte (2004) cited in
Augustyn and Cillie (2008) suggested that the principles of Industrial Organizational
Psychology serve as insights and major catalysts for successes in both public and private
organizations.

Furthermore, Katz and Kahn (1978) described an organization as an open system in the
similitude of living organisms. Just as living organisms exchange nutrients with their
environments, organizations exchange resources or benefits with their immediate environment,
that is, the nation within which they operate. The implication is that business organizations draw
resources from their countries as guided by stipulated policies, and in turn contribute immensely
to the GDP. Olowookere (2012) states that “increased productivity in business organizations
ultimately results in economic growth and sustainability and by inference, Industrial organization
psychology plays very crucial roles in organizational success, national development and it is
therefore imperative to explore the roles of International Organizational psychology in the
pursuit of sustainable development”. Discussed Below will be how organizations can benefit
from industrial psychologists to cope with modern challenges.

To begin with, organizations can benefit from industrial psychologists to cope with modern
challenges because the experts help with hiring & recruitment. Industrial psychologists will
assist the human resources department with the development of recruitment processes and the
selection of personnel. This includes the development of job announcements, defining key
qualifications, and developing selection assessments. Münsterberg (1913) cited in Augustyn and
Cillie (2008) noted that Industrial or Organization psychologists are concerned with evaluating
the executive team and studying a company’s culture, roles and processes, industrial
psychologists have an informed idea of what behavioral attributes an employee needs to fit into
the ecosystem and succeed in a given role, therefore making the hiring process a breeze. When
Industrial or Organization psychologists know what behavioral traits are needed to be successful
within a given role is crucial to ensuring not only a hiring success but a happy hire that sticks
around. Additionally, they can help create interview questions that probe any areas of behavioral
misalignment and help managers immediately identify the best candidates for the position. This
will help organizations to benefit and cope with modern problems.

Furthermore, organizations can benefit from industrial psychologists to cope with modern
challenges because they help with increased productivity. Organizational psychologists address
productivity issues in several ways. For example, offering manufacturing staff variety in their
jobs can increase productivity and reduces burnout. Production employees can be moved to
different process in the production chain (Mohammed, 2019). In addition, organizational
psychologists have found that providing opportunities for social interaction with fellow
employees and management also improves productivity. This means that the experts have an eye
on psychological issues can help you increase productivity while taking care of employees'
needs.

In addition, organizations can benefit from industrial psychologists to cope with modern
challenges because they help with team building. Organizational psychology offers many
techniques for team building. Mohan, G. M et al.,(2019) insist that “from icebreakers to bonding
experiences, you can benefit from activities that help your employees see themselves as part of a
group working toward a common goal. For example, involving employees in charity work can
provide them with an opportunity to pitch in together to achieve a worthy goal”. Furthermore,
Litchfield, P et al., (2016) states that “you can also encourage team building through rewards to
departments instead of individuals, asking groups to set their own sales and production goals,
and empowering groups to suggest solutions to employee problems”. This shows that
organizations can benefit from Industrial psychologists experts will help organization to cope
with modern problem.

Furthermore, organizations can benefit from industrial psychologists to cope with modern
challenges because they help with organizational development and management. This area of
industrial psychology is concerned with organizational structure and performance. Banas (1988)
states that “an organization would engage an industrial organization psychologist to determine
how efficient, productive, profitable the organization is, assist with matters pertaining to
corporate culture and structural changes within the organization and helping them navigate
through times of change”. This means that if organizations can consult Industrial psychologists
they can benefit and cope with modern problems.

In addition, organizations can benefit from industrial psychologists to cope with modern
challenges because the experts help with Performance management. Augustyn & Cillie (2008)
advocates that “Industrial psychologists help organizations with the measurement and
management of employee performance by developing and conducting performance assessments,
identifying skills gaps, and providing feedback and recommendations”. This means that if
organizations can consult Industrial psychologists they can benefit and cope with modern
problems as the information gained from these assessments is often used to inform decisions
regarding compensation and promotions.

Furthermore, organizations can benefit from industrial psychologists to cope with modern
challenges as they experts ensure better work-Life balance. This area of industrial organization
psychology is concerned with employee satisfaction, motivation, health, safety, and well-being.
In this respect, the role of the industrial psychologist is to evaluate employees' well-being and
happiness at work and find ways to improve the work environment, and implement work-life
balance programs, if necessary (McGregor,1960). This means that if organizations can consult
Industrial psychologists on the well-being, safety, and health of the employees they can benefit
to cope with modern problems.

In addition, organizations can benefit from industrial psychologists to cope with modern
challenges because the experts assist with employee training and development. Industrial
psychologists perform job analyses whereby the skills and abilities necessary to perform a
specific job effectively are determined. The information and insights gained from these analyses
are used to develop and evaluate employee skills development and training programs (Banas,
1988). Industrial organization psychologists can help leadership and employees become more
aware of their strengths and the things that hold them back and provide them with an actionable
behavioral plan so that they can be the most effective in their role and learn to build more
meaningful and harmonious relationships.

Finally, organizations can benefit from industrial psychologists to cope with modern challenges
as they help in resolving conflicts. A solution you offer to employee conflicts and concerns may
seem reasonable to you but be met with employee resistance. If you are stuck in resolving a
conflict, you can hire an organizational psychologist to evaluate the situation. Unlike a mediator,
the psychologist will not focus exclusively on the issues but will include psychological concerns
such as the needs for respect, dignity, empowerment and effectiveness.

In Summary, discussed was how organizations can benefit from industrial psychologists to cope
with modern challenges. Industrial and Organizational Psychology is the sub field of psychology
that applies psychological principles in proffering solutions to workplace problem while an
organization was defined as open system in the similitude of living organisms. Organizations
can benefit from industrial psychologists to cope with modern challenges because the experts can
help in improved recruitment strategy and methods, increased employee productivity, higher job
satisfaction levels, better work environment, Work-life balance efficient personnel selection,
greater workplace cooperation and in resolving conflicts.
REFERENCE

Augustyn, J. & Cillie, G,G. (2008). Theory and practice in industrial psychology: Quo vadis? SA
Journal of Industrial Psychology, 34(1): 70-55.

Banas, P. A. (1988). Employee involvement: A sustained labor/management initiative at the Ford

Motor Company. In J. P. Campbell,

Katz, D., & Kahn, R. L. (1966). The social psychology of organisations. New York: Wiley.

Litchfield, P., Cooper, C., Hancock, C., Watt, P. (2016). Work and Wellbeing in the
21stCentury. International Journal Environmental Research & Public Health, 13 (1065), 1-11.

McGregor, D. (1960). The Human Side of the Enterprise. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc.

Mohan, G. M., Prabhu, M., &Birdawod, D. H. Q. (2019). A Study on Spirituality among Private
Employees and its Impact on their Life Satisfaction. Restaurant Business, 118(11), 1-14.

Mohammed, H. O. (2019). The effect of motivation on employee productivity (A case study

private bank in Kurdistan regional government). Restaurant Business, 118(11), 119-136.
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Olowookere, E. I. (2012). The Relevance of Industrial and Organizational Psychology to

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