Organizational Behavior
A Skill-Building Approach

Third Edition

Christopher P. Neck - Arizona State University, USA
Jeffery D. Houghton - West Virginia University, USA
Emma L. Murray

Other Titles in:
Business & Management (General) | Organizational Behaviour (General)

January 2023 | 536 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Organizational Behavior: A Skill-Building Approach, Third Edition examines how individual characteristics, group dynamics, and organizational factors affect performance, motivation, and job satisfaction, providing students with a holistic understanding of OB. Translating the latest research into practical applications and best practices, authors Christopher P. Neck, Jeffery D. Houghton, and Emma Murray unpack how managers can develop their managerial skills to unleash the potential of their employees.

Part I: Introduction

Chapter 1: Why Organizational Behavior Matters

Case Study: Hilton

What Is Organizational Behavior and Why Is It Important?

Managing Human Capital

Behavioral Science Disciplines That Contribute to OB

A Critical-Thinking Approach to OB

OB Challenges and Opportunities

Three Levels of Analysis in OB

Part II: Individual Processes

Chapter 2: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Case Study: Dolby Laboratories, Inc.

DEI in OB

Diversity in the Workplace

Diversity and Identity

Equity and Equality in the Workplace

Inclusion

Promoting a DEI Culture

Chapter 3: Personality and Individual Differences

Case Study: The PEAK Fleet

The Importance of Individual Differences

Nature Versus Nurture

The Trait Theories of Personality

Character Strengths

Other Personality Attributes

Chapter 4: Perception and Learning

Case Study: Twitter’s Adaptability

Perception: Interpreting Our Environment

Common Perceptual Distortions

Common Attribution Errors

Learning Processes: Behavioral Theory

Learning Processes: The Cognitive View

Chapter 5: Emotions, Attitude, and Stress

Case Study: Kevin Plank, Founder of Under Armour

Emotions in Organizational Behavior

Emotions in the Workplace

Attitudes and Behavior

Stress in the Workplace

Stress-Related Outcomes and Employee Well-being

Chapter 6: Motivation: Concepts and Theoretical Perspectives

Case Study: AriZona Iced Tea: Organizational Motivation

The Motivation Process

Needs Theories

Goal-Setting Theory

Equity Theory

Expectancy Theory

Chapter 7: Motivation: Practices and Applications

Case Study: Spotify

Intrinsic Motivation

Types of Extrinsic Rewards

Motivation Through Job Design

Psychological Empowerment

Nontraditional Work Schedules

Part III: Teams and Teamwork

Chapter 8: Teams

Case Study: The Team at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Emergency Department

The Difference Between Teams and Groups

A Model of Team Effectiveness: Processes and Outcomes

Types of Teams

A Model of Team Effectiveness: Context and Composition

Team Decision-Making

Chapter 9: Decision Making, Creativity, and Innovation

Case Study: Creativity and Innovation, Arizona State University

Decision-Making and Problem-Solving

Decision-Making in the Real World

Creativity and Innovation in Individuals, Teams, and Organizations

A Three-Component Model of Creativity

The Innovation Process

Types of Innovation in Organizations

Chapter 10: Ethics and Social Responsibility in Organizations

Case Study: IBM’s Ethical Supply Chains

Ethics in Organizations

Ethical Decision-Making

Ethical Leadership and Followership

Social Responsibility

Building Ethical and Socially Responsible Organizations

Chapter 11: Effective Communication

Case Study: Uber’s Organizational Communication

The Need for Effective Communication in the Workplace

Communication Channels

Barriers to Communication

Communicating in Organizations

Cross-Cultural Communication

Chapter 12: Trust, Conflict, and Negotiation

Case Study: Distrust in the National Football League (NFL)

Trust in Organizations

Conflict in Teams and Organizations

Conflict Management Strategies

Negotiation and Dispute Resolution

Bargaining Approaches

Part IV: Leadership and Influence Processes

Chapter 13: Leadership Perspectives

Case Study: Procter and Gamble’s Leadership Training Program

What Is Leadership?

Formal and Informal Leadership

Basic Leadership Types

Early Leadership Perspectives

Contemporary Leadership Perspectives

Power-Distributing Leadership Perspectives

Values-Based Leadership Perspectives

Cross-Cultural Leadership

Leadership and Gender

Chapter 14: Influence, Power, and Politics

Case Study: Managerial Power at NextEra Energy, Inc.

Power: Definition and Overview

Basic Sources of Power

Using Power: Tactics for Influencing Others

Organizational Politics

Four Different Types of Organizational Politics

Part V: Organizational Context

Chapter 15: Organizations and Culture

Case Study: Recreational Equipment Incorporated’s (REI) Organizational Culture

What Is Organizational Culture?

Artifacts and Functions of Organizational Culture

Types of Organizational Cultures

Adapting Organizational Practices across Cultures

Shaping Organizational Culture

Chapter 16: Organizational Change and Structure

Case Study: Google’s Organizational Development and Change

The Change Process

Forces for Change

Resistance to Change

Organizational Structure

Organizational Development

Glossary

Notes

Name Index

Subject Index

Supplements

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For the time being, I have unfortunately decided not to adopt. I was interested in Chapter 9 (creativity). I liked the chapter but because creativity has been merged in this chapter with problem-solving and decision making, I find that the creativity section is a little less extensive than I would have liked, for example, compared to the creativity chapter I'm currently using in the course, from Greenberg's book "Behavior in organizations". So for the time being, I'll stick for another year to the creativity chapter in Greenberg's book (which unfortunately slowly becomes outdated).

Dr Paraskevas Petrou

Department of Social & Behavioural Sciences, Erasmus University College, Erasmus University Rotterdam

September 25, 2025

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