What is Organizational Behavior?

Question 1

The statistical relationship between two variables. Abbreviated r, it can be positive or negative and range from 0 (no statistical relationship) to 1 (a perfect statistical relationship).

Answer 1

Correlation

Question 2

When people hold firmly to some belief because it “just stands to reason” – it seems obvious or self-evident.

Answer 2

Method of intuition

Question 3

A method that combines the results of multiple scientific studies by essentially calculating a weighted average correlation across studies (with larger studies receiving more weight).

Answer 3

Meta-analysis

Question 4

Field of study devoted to understanding, explaining, and ultimately improving the attitudes and behaviors of individuals and groups in organizations.

Answer 4

Organizational behavior (OB)

Question 5

Written predictions that specify relationships between variables.

Answer 5

Hypotheses

Question 6

The establishment that one variable does cause another, based on covariation, temporal precedence, and elimination of alternative explanations.

Answer 6

Causal inference

Question 7

Incapable of being imitated or copied

Answer 7

Inimitable

Question 8

Resources created by people, such as culture, teamwork, trust, and reputation. The source of competitive advantage is known, but the method of replicating the advantage is unclear.

Answer 8

Socially complex resources

Question 9

When people accept some belief because scientific studies have tended to replicate that result using a series of samples, settings, and methods.

Answer 9

Method of science

Question 10

The belief that at best one-eighth, or 12 percent, of organizations will actually do what is required to build profits by putting people first.

Answer 10

Rule of One-Eighth

Question 11

Field of study devoted to exploring the product choices and industry characteristics that affect an organization’s profitability.

Answer 11

Strategic management

Question 12

People making many small decisions every day that are invisible to competitors

Answer 12

Numerous small decisions

Question 13

A model that argues that rare and inimitable resources help firms maintain competitive advantage

Answer 13

Resource-based view

Question 14

A collection of verbal and symbolic assertions that specify how and why variables are related, as well as the conditions in which they should (and should not) be related.

Answer 14

Theory

Question 15

Field of study that focuses on the applications of OB theories and principles in organizations.

Answer 15

Human resource management

Question 16

A collective pool of experience, wisdom, and knowledge created by people that benefits the organization

Answer 16

History

Question 17

A perspective that argues that scientific findings should form the foundation for management education.

Answer 17

Evidence-based management

Question 18

When people hold firmly to some belief because some respected official, agency, or source has said it is so.

Answer 18

Method of authority

Question 19

The use of data (rather than just opinions) to guide decision making.

Answer 19

Analytics

Question 20

When people hold firmly to some belief because it is consistent with their own experience and observations.

Answer 20

Method of experience