Organizational Behavior

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR (A BUSINESS COURSE)

COURSE BACKGROUND

In today’s highly competitive and dynamic business environment, sustainable organizational success hinges not just on sound financial strategies or innovative products, but critically on the effective management of its most vital asset: its people. Understanding how individuals behave, interact, and perform within an organizational context is paramount for fostering productivity, driving innovation, and achieving strategic objectives. Organizational Behavior (OB) is the dedicated field that provides the scientific framework for analyzing these human dynamics within the workplace. It offers invaluable insights into the intricacies of motivation, leadership, communication, team dynamics, conflict resolution, and organizational culture. For businesses operating in a diverse and rapidly evolving landscape, such as that found across Kenya and the broader East African region, mastering OB principles is essential for developing effective human capital strategies, enhancing employee engagement, and ultimately securing a competitive edge.

ECAS Institute offers this “Organizational Behavior” course as a core business discipline, designed to equip current and aspiring business leaders, managers, human resource professionals, and entrepreneurs with the knowledge and practical skills to understand, predict, and positively influence human behavior within their organizations. This program will delve into the empirical foundations of human behavior at work, providing actionable strategies to optimize individual and team performance, cultivate a resilient organizational culture, and drive overall business effectiveness.

COURSE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the fundamental theories and concepts of Organizational Behavior and their direct application in enhancing business performance and productivity.
2. Analyze individual behavior within organizations, including personality, perception, attitudes, and motivation, to better manage talent and drive engagement.
3. Comprehend the dynamics of group behavior and team effectiveness, developing strategies for building high-performing teams and fostering collaborative business environments.
4. Evaluate the impact of organizational structure and culture on employee behavior, decision-making, and overall business outcomes.
5. Apply leadership theories and practices to effectively influence, inspire, and guide teams and individuals towards achieving business goals.
6. Develop strategies for managing organizational change and workplace stress to ensure business continuity and employee well-being during transitions.
7. Utilize OB principles to diagnose complex workplace issues and propose evidence-based, practical solutions that contribute to improved organizational effectiveness and competitive advantage.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

This course will provide you with a deeper, business-centric understanding of human dynamics at work, empowering you to become a more effective manager, leader, and contributor to your organization’s success. You will learn to:

• Identify and apply key theories of motivation to design effective reward systems, foster engagement, and boost employee productivity.
• Understand the role of perception, individual decision-making, and biases in critical business processes, from hiring to strategy execution.
• Develop effective communication and negotiation strategies essential for internal collaboration, external partnerships, and resolving business conflicts.
• Facilitate high-performing business teams by understanding group dynamics, roles, and stages of development, and mitigating common team dysfunctions.
• Analyze different leadership styles and their suitability for various business situations, and their impact on organizational performance and innovation.
• Assess an organization’s culture and understand its profound influence on business strategy implementation, employee retention, and market reputation.
• Manage resistance to change and implement effective strategies for successful organizational transformation initiatives essential for business adaptability.
• Recognize sources of workplace stress and apply techniques for stress management to maintain employee well-being and operational efficiency.
• Apply ethical considerations to human resource practices, decision-making, and overall organizational conduct to build a reputable and sustainable business.
• Utilize OB concepts to foster a positive, productive, and inclusive work environment that directly contributes to job satisfaction, employee loyalty, and business growth.

DURATION AND PROGRAM

This is a structured training course designed for interactive learning and practical application, firmly rooted in business relevance. The program will incorporate a blend of expert-led lectures, engaging business case studies (including examples of organizational challenges and successes from diverse sectors, with a keen eye on African business contexts), group discussions, self-assessment exercises, and experiential activities. Participants will have opportunities to analyze real-world business scenarios, apply OB theories to diagnose managerial problems, and develop actionable strategies to improve workplace dynamics and overall business outcomes. The specific duration of the course will be communicated upon registration, tailored to ensure comprehensive coverage and practical skill development.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

This course is ideally suited for professionals working within or aspiring to leadership roles in business organizations, where understanding and managing human capital is critical for success. It will particularly benefit:

• Managers and Team Leaders across all business functions (Operations, Marketing, Finance, HR).
• Human Resource Professionals (HR Managers, HR Business Partners, Talent Development Specialists).
• Aspiring Leaders and Supervisors seeking to enhance their people management skills.
• Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners aiming to build and manage effective teams and organizational cultures.
• Business Consultants specializing in organizational development, change management, and human capital.
• Project Managers whose success depends heavily on leading and motivating cross-functional teams.
• Organizational Development Practitioners and those involved in business transformation initiatives.
• Executives looking for deeper insights into behavioral science for strategic decision-making.

TRAINING MODULES

The course is structured into comprehensive modules, covering the essential aspects of Organizational Behavior from a business perspective:

No	Module	Details
1.	Introduction to Organizational Behavior for Business	This introductory module defines Organizational Behavior (OB), explores its historical foundations, and explains why understanding human behavior at work is crucial for achieving business objectives and organizational effectiveness. Key Topics: What is Organizational Behavior (OB)? Disciplines contributing to OB and their relevance to business. Challenges and opportunities for OB in today’s global and local business environment. Levels of analysis in OB: Individual, Group, Organization, and their impact on business outcomes.
2.	The Individual in the Business Organization	This module delves into individual differences and psychological processes that influence behavior and performance in the business workplace, helping participants to better understand and manage talent. Key Topics: Personality, values, and their impact on work styles and team fit. Perception and individual decision-making, and common biases in business judgments. Workplace attitudes (e.g., job satisfaction, organizational commitment) and their link to productivity. Emotions, moods, and emotional intelligence in business interactions. Learning theories and their application in employee development.
3.	Motivation and Performance Management in Business	This module explores various theories of motivation and their practical application in designing jobs, setting performance goals, providing feedback, and creating reward systems that enhance employee performance and drive business results. Key Topics: Classic and contemporary theories of motivation (e.g., Maslow, Herzberg, Expectancy, Equity, Goal-Setting). Job design, employee engagement, and their impact on operational efficiency. Developing effective rewards systems and recognition programs aligned with business goals. Performance appraisal processes and giving constructive feedback for business improvement.
4.	Group Dynamics and Team Effectiveness in Business	This module examines the dynamics of groups and teams within a business context, focusing on how to build high-performing teams, manage group processes, and leverage collective intelligence for business innovation. Key Topics: Defining groups and business teams. Stages of group development and common team challenges. Roles, norms, and cohesiveness within business teams. Team decision-making and problem-solving for business challenges. Strategies for building and leading effective business teams.
5.	Business Communication, Conflict, and Negotiation	This module focuses on essential interpersonal skills critical for business success, covering effective communication strategies, understanding the sources of conflict, and mastering negotiation techniques in an organizational context. Key Topics: The communication process and overcoming barriers in business. Organizational communication networks and their impact on information flow. Sources and types of workplace conflict in business settings. Conflict resolution strategies for managers and teams. Business negotiation principles and tactics for internal and external stakeholders.
6.	Leadership, Power, and Organizational Politics	This module explores various leadership theories and their practical application in guiding business units, along with the dynamics of power and political behavior within organizations. Key Topics: Leadership theories and their relevance to business outcomes (e.g., Transformational, Transactional, Servant Leadership). Sources of power and influence in business organizations. Understanding and navigating organizational politics ethically. The role of ethical leadership in fostering a positive business culture.
7.	Organizational Structure, Culture, and Change Management for Business Resilience	This module examines how organizational design and culture shape behavior and performance, and how businesses can effectively manage change and adapt to external pressures for sustained resilience. Key Topics: Common organizational structures and their implications for business agility. Organizational culture: formation, functions, and its impact on business strategy. Creating and maintaining a culture that supports business goals. Managing organizational change and overcoming resistance in business transformations. Understanding and managing workplace stress to maintain business productivity and employee well-being.

TRAINING STYLE

The modules will be taught through PowerPoint presentations, and lectures and will include a case study/field visit, breakout sessions, case studies and other interactive discussion components.

The course will also include a few guest speakers, both in person and via Zoom and other online learning platforms for overseas speakers. This provides useful real-world insights alongside the more theoretical aspects of the course.

The conference faculty shall consist of experienced decision makers, as well as practitioners and representatives from established educational and research institutions active around climate change, engineering and international development. Throughout the course, theoretical presentation of concepts will be moderated and more group discussions and plenary engagements will be optimized. PowerPoint presentations will be made by facilitators and resource persons, to highlight key concepts before embarking on group work.

GENERAL NOTES

• Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
• Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.
• We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs. Contact us to find out more: info@ecasiafrica.org.
• Payment should be sent to our bank account before the start of training and proof of payment sent to: info@ecasiafrica.org.

ABOUT ECAS INSTITUTE

The ECAS Institute designs and delivers independent and targeted training, research, and consulting services. Our work focusses on climate change and resilience building, carbon markets, renewable energy, nature-based solution, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and food systems, We are located in Nairobi Kenya and work across the African region. We have implemented training and research assignments in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Rwanda, Congo, and South Africa. Globally, we have supported our partners from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and USA.