Basic Assumptions of OB

Basic Assumptions of OB

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Every discipline, say social sciences or physical sciences, they have some basic assumptions or fundamental concepts.  Those concepts and assumptions support the discipline to flourish and develop. For example, economics assumes that man is a rational-being; financial accounting assumes that for every debit there shall be a corresponding credit; similarly, the law of gravity is common whether it is in Kathmandu or Dhangadhi.

OB is also based upon few basic assumptions or fundamental concepts that revolve around the nature of people and nature of organizations. Following are the basic assumption of OB⁷:

Basic Assumptions of OB Source: Aswathappa & Reddy (2012), p 116

There are altogether seven fundamental concepts or assumptions upon which OB flourish; the first four go around the nature of individual where as next two focus on organization. The seventh assumption emerges when remaining six are placed together.

i. Individual differences When we look at a person outward, he/she looks similar to the other person. The same two upper limbs, two lower limbs, one head, one nose etc. If we go little deeper, we can easily distinguish one person from other person easily as they possess not only body but also mind and heart. Not just that every individual thinks, feels, imagines, sees, and dreams differently. Every individual has different priorities, perception and the way of expression. Each one possesses unique talents, intelligences, personality and so on. From the very beginning of life, each person is unique and individual experiences after birth make people even more different.  Like a saying – ‘A Rose is A Rose is A Rose’, every individuals are unique and different. OB focuses on treating people with right discrimination.

ii. A whole person A person should be accepted as a whole person. Simply put, an individual possesses the four lives: personal, family, social and professional life. Sometimes, a person in workplace needs to be involved in family or community. S/He also involves in personal life besides the profession, family and social life. Hence, OB assumes that a person as whole person and focuses on developing him/her in terms of growth and fulfillment.

iii. Caused (or motivated) behavior Human beings do not exhibit behavior randomly; rather the behavior is caused by some motive, need, want or any drives. Always employee behavior is directed towards the goal and it can be caused by some motives, belief systems, perception, understanding, education, experience and environment.

iv. Human Dignity (Self-Respect of People) There are four dimensions of life in human beings as mentioned earlier: Body, Mind, Heart and the Spirit. Regarding the employee at work, Body says pay me fairly, Mind says engage me creatively, Heart says treat me kindly and the Spirit says assign me meaningful job so that I want to leave the legacy. Human dignity appeals for fair treatment to people. It calls for self-respect and value of people. People should be properly treated and given the value and recognition for their valued contribution.  

v. Organizations are social system Organization gets established by human association. Like in social system, interrelation, interaction and interdependency between people continue till an organization exists. People are involved in organization to fulfill their psychological needs; they perform some definite roles and possess status. Hence, every activity in organization is governed by social laws and psychological laws.

vi. Mutuality of interests Organization needs people and people also need organization. There is a clear give and take relationship between people and organization. Collective efforts of people finally achieve the superordinate goal and meanwhile organization fulfills the needs of its people.

vii. Holistic Concept The above six basic assumptions of OB are placed together, a holistic concept emerges. This concept interprets people-organization relationships in terms of the whole person, whole group, whole organization, and the whole social system. It takes an all encompassing view of people in organizations in an effort to understand as many of the possible factors that influence their behavior. Issues are analyzed in terms of the situation affecting them rather than in terms of an isolated event or problem.⁸