Organizational Behavior and Group Dynamics

In an organization, human resources make one of the important resources that are necessary for undertaking day-to-day operations. Human resources is a unique resource, since it involves dealing with people who have different perspectives, behave differently, think differently, and possess different cultural and social backgrounds. A collection of the differences between and among human resources contributes to organizational behavior. Organizational behavior is very important since it affects the productivity of the employees, hence, the performance of the organization.

Organizational dynamics is that part of management, which is concerned with solving various organizational problems as they arise. Organizational dynamics focuses on solving challenging organizational behaviors. For instance, when an organization is introducing change, it may encounter some employees who are resistant to the desired change, or a conflict between the management and the employees concerning the proposed change. In such a case, organizational dynamics is applied to provide a solution to the problem at hand. Other areas where organizational dynamics is applied include communication issues, teams/groups issues, and leadership issues, which hinder achievement of organizational goals.

Organizational Culture

            Organizational culture is the collection of values, beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, and philosophies, which guide members of an organization in their day-to-day interactions with each other, and with the customers (Organizational Culture: Corporate Culture in Organizations, 2011). Every organization has its unique culture, which its members express through interactions with the outsiders, employees’ self-image, inner working relations between superiors and juniors, and the overall future expectation of the organization. Organizational culture refers the set of beliefs, values, and norms that are peculiar to an organization, and makes it distinct and outstanding from others.

Organizational culture, also referred to as corporate culture, is a product of assumptions, experiences, and philosophies that an organization holds together after many years of operation (Organizational Culture: Corporate Culture in Organizations, 2011). Corporate culture can be observed by looking at how the employees behave themselves when serving customers and when interacting with the outside world, how the organization treats its employees, how decision are made (democratically or autocratically), how information is transmitted in the organization, and how the employees behave towards achievement of the organizational objectives .

Toyota Motors Corporation is known for its unique organizational culture. The company is founded on firm principles of integrity, passion, invention and innovativeness (Toyota Motors Corporation, 2011). This culture is evident in the ability of the company to foresee market opportunities and harness them leading to development of consumer products that meet the market demands. Besides, the employees are very passionate about their service and the quality of the company products.

Organizational Behavior

            Organizational behavior is the study of how humans behave in an organizational setting, and application of this knowledge in building better human behaviors in the organization (Organizational Behavior and Communication, 2011). Organizational behavior looks at how people act either as individuals or as social groups in the workplace. Application of the knowledge of organizational behavior ensures that, the human and social objectives of the organizational members are met, which results into achievement of organizational objectives.

For example, Toyota Motors is strongly founded on the principles of teamwork, market pro-activity, and innovation. Every employee is required to help those under him/her, including suppliers and customers to meet their goals. Collective responsibility, evident in all the operational structures of the company, is thus the dominant feature of Toyota Motors.

Diversity

Diversity refers to the differences in background, personality, knowledge, skills and abilities that may be present in an environment. Toyota Motors is strategic in its exploitation of the diversity of skills of its employees to achieve its strategic goals (Toyota Motors Corporation, 2011). The unity in diversity at Toyota Motors is reflected in the assignment of tasks based on employees’ individual professional training and experience. This promotes innovation, efficiency, and effectiveness in the operations of the company.

Communication

Communication is the process of passing information from one person to another. Organizational communication involves transition of information across all members of the organization. It entails training the organizational members about the interpersonal skills required in making effective communication. Organizational communication also involves creating a communication environment where information flows freely from the superiors to the juniors and from the juniors to the superiors.

Communication in organizations is a concept used to define the formal and informal modes of communication in organizations. It thus includes the means of exchange of information across networks of stakeholders (Organizational Behavior and Communication, 2011). Toyota Motors Corporation makes use of writing as a way of passing all business information at all levels. The company also uses newsletter writing and corporate communications to keep its staff informed of the developments at the company at all levels. The company is also considering use of electronic media to constantly, and swiftly relay all information relating to the company.

Overview of Toyota Motors’ Organizational Culture/Behavior

Toyota Motors rose to lead the automotive industry because of its organizational culture/behavior (The New York Times, 2011). The company is founded on firm principles of innovation and teamwork. So strategic is the company that it always re-invents itself, its operations, and products in a manner that enables it to meet the tastes of its customers (Toyota Motors Corporation, 2011). All its operations are strategic and its product portfolio is delivered just in time to exploit any potential and identified opportunities in the automotive industry.

A collection of organizational culture, behaviors, diversity, and communication contributes directly to the performance of the employees, and the productivity of the organization. It is important for every organization to put in place a culture that fosters good working relationships between the employees and the management, and between the organization and the outside world. A good corporate culture can result into adaption of good organizational behavior, diversity, and effective communication. This can enable an organization to achieve human objectives, social objectives, and organizational objectives effectively.