Organizational Behavior in the Last Few Years, Research Paper

Organizational Behavior

In the last few years, the safe disposal of radioactive and hazardous waste have been increasingly brought to the forefront. This is because the public is demanding that some kind of solution is provided for addressing these challenges over the long-term. The result is the creation of the Centers of Excellence for Hazardous Materials Management (CEHMM). This is a nonprofit that was founded to address these and other challenges through introducing innovative solutions. To fully understand how the organization is able to reach these objectives requires looking at: the individuals / groups in the organization, the way they interact with each other and the organizational behavior of the firm. Together, these different elements will highlight how the CEHMM is able to reach a variety of benchmarks. ("CEHMM," 2012)

Inside the CEHMM, everyone is working together with communities to address a host of challenges impacting the environment. The way that this is accomplished is with different members of the organization working together in creating a protocol that can address specific challenges. The kind of attitudes that are exhibited by individuals inside the organization is one of openness. ("CEHMM," 2012)

When interacting with various groups and other individuals, this approach is helping them to have an effective strategy in place for reaching out to everyone (internally and externally). This allows the firm to function effectively by creating a sense of synergy inside the workplace. These factors are utilized to establish the basic operating environment of the firm and their ability to achieve a host of objectives. ("CEHMM," 2012)

A good example of this can be seen by looking no further than the Algae Project. Started in 2006, this initiative was focused on growing, harvesting and extracting oil from the algae. What happens is the use of this life form can be combined with petroleum / other products and hazardous waste (to create a viable alternative fuel). This is reducing the total amounts of CO2 that is released into the atmosphere during the refining process. As a result, this is showing how the CEHMM is able to achieve these objectives. ("Algae Bio Fuel," 2012) ("CEHMM," 2012)

An Analysis of the Organizational Behavior

To understand how the organization is able to reach various goals requires looking at the kinds of behavior that are embraced. This will be accomplished by focusing on: the type of culture, modes of communication, nature of authority, motivational techniques, areas of emotional intelligence (EQ) and the use of new paradigms. These factors will illustrate how the behavior inside the organization influenced the firm's ability to achieve a number of objectives.

Type of culture (Pluralism, Dualism or Salad Bowl)?

The type of culture that is used at the CEHMM is the Salad Bowl approach. This is when there is a focus on reducing the different barriers in the workplace between employees, managers and stakeholders. During this process, everyone is treated with a certain amount of respect and is given the opportunity to have their voice heard. When this takes place, an atmosphere of openness is created. ("CEHMM," 2012) (Heilman, 1989)

These ideas are then used, to work more effectively with different external stakeholders. In this case, officials will listen to those ideas that are most important to communities, regulators and other interest groups. They will then work with these groups to enact programs that will benefit everyone. In the future, this creates a solution that is dealing with hazardous waste, reducing the environmental foot print, improving the quality of life in the community and providing an alternative source of energy. (Heilman, 1989) ("CEHMM," 2012)

Modes of Communication (Describe the dominant communication form used, e.g. written or verbal)

There are several different forms of communication that are used inside the organization. These include: written, verbal and electronic. Written communication is used by the CEHMM to talk about critical issues that are important to various stakeholders. At the same time, executives will utilize this approach when drafting guidelines for new programs. Moreover, there must be continuing amounts of communication about the status of these projects and their ability to reach a host of objectives. ("CEHMM," 2012)

Verbal communication is used in conjunction with written forms of written expression. This is when various stakeholders will express their ideas about a host of issues. During the process, they will utilize these together to understand what areas are most important. When creating any kind of policies / reports, these views are taken into account as a part of the total communications strategy for the organization.("CEHMM," 2012)

The above areas are augmented with electronic solutions to reach out to various stakeholders. The way that is achieved is through having various chat rooms, message boards, forums and social networking groups to connect with everyone. This involves some kind of written or verbal communication occurring on a certain level. When this takes place, there is a transformation in the organization's ability to deal with different challenge and achieve critical benchmarks. The combination of these factors are working together to help support the culture of openness inside the CEHMM. ("CEHMM," 2012)

Nature of authority (recognized social rank)

In spite of the structure, there is a certain amount of command and control in place to monitor the activities of employees and other stakeholders. This involves following select practices that will delegate authority to certain individuals inside the firm. The below diagram is illustrating the kind of structure that is in place.

CEHMM Organizational Structure

Board of Directors

Administration

Operations

Conservation / Research ("CEHMM," 2012)

This is illustrating how the CEHMM has management structure that is designed to streamline their focus. In the future, this improves the ability of executives and employees to work with a variety of stakeholders.

Motivational Techniques (Describe the motivational driving forces e.g. Intrinsic or extrinsic used to influence productivity and performance)?

The motivational techniques that are used by the firm include: intrinsic and extrinsic strategies. The way they are used intrinsically is to understand critical issues and challenges that are impacting employees / managers. When this takes place, they can use this procedure to address any kind of challenges. It is at this point that productivity and performance will improve (because of these strategies). (Sansone, 2000) ("CEHMM," 2012)

At the same time, extrinsic strategies are used to influence how stakeholders will look at the organization. The way that this is achieved is everyone will have their opinions heard and incorporated into various projects that are benefiting communities. This is creating positive images about the CEHMM and the kinds of policies that are enacted during the process. (Sansone, 2000) ("CEHMM," 2012)

Once this takes place, is the point that people are motivate to do more to help the firm to be successful. In many ways, one could argue that this is the key which is helping the organization to remain an effective force in the process. This is the point that productivity and performance will increase (leading to greater successes). (Sansone, 2000) ("CEHMM," 2012)

Areas of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) (Describe how the organization embraces the theory of emotional intelligence)

The basic approach of the CEHMM is to reduce the underlying amount of animosity associated with tough issues. To achieve these objectives means, that personnel must have a certain amount of maturity. The way that the organization is able to find these kinds of individuals is to have an effective strategy for screening any kind of irregular patterns. This is accomplished by actively observing the behavior of various individuals when working with stakeholders. ("CEHMM," 2012)

At the same time, different surveys and EQ exams are conducted to ensure that the person has the intellect to deal with these kinds of challenges. After the data has been collected, is when executives will look carefully for any type of irregularities and address them. These different factors are showing how the organization is actively embracing these tools to find key personnel. As a result, these practices have helped the organization to find individuals that can thrive in their working environment. ("CEHMM," 2012)

How are the components of a virtual organization embraced? (Explain how the organization embraces new paradigms such as teleworking and virtual offices?)

The use of tele-networking and virtual offices is giving staff the flexibility in scheduling and adjusting their work options. The means that various individuals can begin working at different locations and can stay connect with the firm. Over the course of time, this has resulted in the organization working with different groups to promote the safe use of algae. (Davis, 2012)

A good example of this can be seen with a dinner that was sponsored by the CEHMM. This is a program that was focused on feeding cattle green algae in their feed (which was mixed with Omega 3). What was determined; is that this approach is much more cost effective in conditions where the climate could be very arid. (Davis, 2012)

Moreover, the underlying costs are lower and the quality of.....