Organizational Behavior and the Individual Essay - 3

Organizational Behavior and the Individual - Essay Example As stated above, studies of organizational behavior have gained immense prominence in the last few decades owing to globalization, cross cultural business settings and greater focus on increased employee productivity. Organizational behavior studies determine the context, environment and other factors which lead to successful desired behavior of employees that aligns with the strategies goals (McShane & Glinow, 2010). In anchoring a better understanding of the organizational behavior concept, MARS model is of special recommendation which points at four major determinants of individual performance- motivation, ability, role perceptions and situational factors (David Bourassa 2010). These four determinants take into account both personal and external factors that help determine the voluntary behavior and performance of employees. Weakening of any single factor result in a decline in the overall desired performance. Motivation is the drive which compels an employee to achieve the coveted goal. Various motivational theories have been propounded by eminent researchers stating the needs which work as facilitators for work encouragement. Maslow’s need hierarchy theory levels those needs on physiological, safety and self actualization criteria (David Bourassa 2010). It states that employees first look for fulfillment of general food, clothing and shelter needs and then climb up the need ladder to security and finally self actualization. This theory asserts that with successive levels of job and work, how needs change and alter the motivational perceptions of employees. Ability refers to the inherent talents and the acquired skills needed to accomplish the tasks given (David Bourassa 2010). Employees are found to demonstrate superior performance in areas where their competencies- values, skills and talents match. Also, with training and making them develop the required skill