M.NIRMALA MSW(HRM) STAFF ADVISOR DR.R.SANKARANARAYANAN Emergence of Organization development as an Applied Behavioral Science Organization Development Organization Development (OD)is a process by which behavioral science knowledge and practices are used to help organizations achieve greater effectiveness, including improved quality of work life and increased productivity (Cummings, & Huse, 1989). In the 1950s and 1960s a new, integrated approach originated known as Organization Development (OD): the systematic application of behavioral science knowledge at various levels (group, intergroup, and total organization) to bring about planned change (Newstrom & Davis, 1993) Emerges From Four Backgrounds Laboratory Training
Survey Research Feedback
Action Research
Productivity and Quality-of-Work-Life (QWL)
Organizational Behavior A closely related concept to OD is Organizational Behavior (OB) -- the study and application of knowledge about how people, as individuals and as groups, act within organizations ((Newsroom & Davis, 1993). Andrew Ure incorporated human factors into his work, The Philosophy of Manufactures (1835). Ure, like a lot of others, recognized the mechanical and commercial parts of manufacturing, but he also added a third — the human factor. It took quite a while for this “human factor” to become accepted. In addition, it often turned into paternalistic, do-good approach, rather than genuine recognition of the importance of workers. Note the OD normally uses the term "organization, while OB normally uses “organizational. Applied behavioral science One of the outstanding characteristics of OD that distinguishes it from most other improvement programs is that it is based on a "helping relationship". Some believe that the change agent is a physician to the organization's ills; that s/he does not examine the "patient", make a diagnosis, and write a prescription. Nor does s/he try to teach organizational members a new inventory of knowledge which they then transfer to the job situation. Using theory and methods drawn from such behavioral sciences as… industrial/organizational psychology,industrial sociology, communication, cultural anthropology, administrative theory, organizational behavior, economics, and political science, the change agent's main function is to help the organization define and solve its own problems. The basic method used is known as action research. This approach, which is described in detail later, consists of a preliminary diagnosis, collecting data, feedback of the data to the client, data exploration by the client group, action planning based on the data, and taking action. OD & Behavioral science Thank you…