Essay on Organizational Behavior: Micro, Meso & Macro-Levels Impacting Human Conduct

Introduction

Organizational behavior (OB) refers to the learning of human conduct in industrial or business environments, the boundary between social manners and the company, and the response of the firm itself. There exist three main classifications of organizational research, such as the micro-level (comprises the people in the company), meso-level (consist of workgroups), and the macro-level (involves the organization's conduct). Scholars argue that personalities display different behaviors when undertaking their roles in a firm than when acting disjointedly from the company (Kinicki & Fugate, 2017). Organizational behavior incorporates leadership styles, corporate culture, company rituals, and symbolic acts in appreciating organizations as communities. Besides, some scholars assert that the decision-making process exists as a vital concept of organizational behavior (Kinicki & Fugate, 2017). The purpose of this paper involves the examination of the case about challenges facing the leadership at the University of Virginia (UVA), then employing the 3-step problem-solving approach to analyze the crises.

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Leadership Aspects and Personality of Sullivan

The leadership crises began after the appointment of Teresa Sullivan as UVA's first female president in 2010, as a successor of John Casteen, a charismatic leader who was highly adept at fund-raising. Fund-raising is an essential role for university presidents, especially at a time of diminishing state funding (Brennan & Stern, 2017). Sullivan's previously worked as provost of the University of Michigan. She had never before served as a university president, reported to a board of directors, or been responsible for raising money. According to James 1:2-4 (NIV):

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (Coomber, 2016).

Sullivan believed that the public places too much emphasis on leadership, which results in placing too much blame on leaders. Her leadership styles involved a collaborative and sustainable leadership style that creates a team (Sellers, 2015). She also possesses problem-solving skills, smart and analytical. Besides, Sullivan stands out as pleasant, plainspoken, and inclined toward introspection and not letting the emotion overtake her.

Apply the 3-Step Problem Solving Approach to OB

The challenges to her presidency involved UVA's board's decision to ask her to resign after a disagreement with the board's chairperson. The chairperson (Helen Dragas) had a different personality trait to that of Sullivan, and hence the two disagreed on a project to set up online education. Sullivan's refusal to submit a concrete strategic and financial plan for the project, and the board's assumption that the faculty and students disliked Sullivan, encouraged the decision to fire her. Sullivan also noted the immense discrimination of women at the workplace that affected her decision-making process (Sellers, 2015). The second challenge involved a scandal in which an allegation emerged of gang rape culture in the university after the murder of a student. Sullivan's suspension of social activities at all fraternities and sororities made some people view her decision as an overreaction because the facts were still under investigation (Sellers, 2015).

Some people considered the demonstrations and damage to properties that followed the publication of the story as ineffective handling of the matter by Sullivan. The other challenge to Sullivan's reign as president of UVA involved race-related issues after an arrest and alleged head injuries to a student leader of African-American origin. The incident followed the Ferguson racial unrest (Sellers, 2015). Effective communication within an organization ensures managers and executives perform the primary functions of management, such as planning, leading, organizing, and controlling, among other tasks. Sullivan and the board members should have incorporated a communication model to enhance the implementation of vital strategies and plans within the university.

The board's chair and the president of the university could improve work relationships and create mutual understanding by deploying a useful communication model. The recommendation to the first situational crises involves the implementation of an effective communication structure. Security in education institutions is essential in reducing criminal cases within the university. Involving all stakeholders in security matters helps minimize and control illegal activities. The president did a recommendation job of engaging students and other staff members to formulate frameworks for preventing criminal activities within the university (Brennan & Stern, 2017). Racial discrimination remains an international issue with many laws already enacted to provide equal treatment to all without any form of discrimination. Although the arrest of the student leader did not involve the university's authority, people across the globe must strive to uphold justice and avoid racial discrimination to live harmoniously.

Conclusion

Crises exist in two dimensions, namely routine happenings, which entails recognized threats for which an organization can formulate a strategic preparedness procedure, and a novel crises that reveal rare frequency and influence. Such novel disasters test leadership decision-making and strategic-thinking competences. The application of problem-solving techniques enhances the ability to manage such unique crises effectively.

References

Brennan, J. A., & Stern, E. K. (2017). Leading a campus through crisis: The role of college and university presidents. Journal of Education Advancement & Marketing, 2(2), 120-134. www.ingentaconnect.com/

Coomber, M. J. (2016). Bible and justice: ancient texts, modern challenges. Routledge. www.books.google.com/

Kinicki, A., & Fugate, M. (2017). Loose Leaf for Organizational Behavior: A Practical, Problem-Solving Approach. McGraw-Hill Education. www.lib.hpu.edu.vn/

Sellers, P., (2015). The unluckiest president in America. Fortune, 97-102. www.fortune.com/tag/university-of-virginia/