Summary

This book provides a critical approach to the study of work and organizational behaviour, questioning what organizational behaviour is and how it has been researched and discussed. Written as an introductory textbook, the book aims to stimulate readers towards further questions and their own research. The book is unique in that it deals directly with the weakneses of theories on topics such as motivation, leadership and teambuilding whilst also covering topical subjects such as theft, fun, sex, romance, bullying, harassment, resistance, exploitation, unequal power relations and sabotage. This book gives a realist's perspective of what consititutes organizational behaviour, providing a critique of the latest research from the gurus of management whilst also describing the realities of work and behaviour found in organizations. This second edition includes new chapters on scene setting, motivation, teams and teamworking, culture, leadership, change and organizational learning. Established sections such as unemployment, organizational misbehaviour and sexuality have been updated and expanded. The text has retained its unique critical stance whilst also encouraging greater student understanding and accessibility. The background to the major theories is explained and each chapter contains a wealth of student learning features including chapter introductions, topical case studies, examples, stop boxes, group exercises, end of chapter questions, further reading and web links.