Explain the contemporary Canadian business environment and the context of organizational behaviour.

Subject Description 
This subject introduces the student to fundamental concepts and theories concerning the behaviour of people in workplace organizations. The emphasis is on identifying questions and problems typically encountered by new employees and developing practical strategies and solutions. Contemporary issues and challenges in society are analyzed in terms of their impact on the workplace, on relations between individuals, and on the individual. Explain the contemporary Canadian business environment and the context of organizational behaviour. The course draws on a variety of structured experiential exercises and case studies to apply the concepts of organizational behaviour to practical business issues and situations.

Learning Outcomes: OBR250 - Organizational Behaviour
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

Individual Behaviour and Processes:

1. Explain the contemporary Canadian business environment and the context of organizational behaviour.
2. Apply theories of personality attributes, values and perceptual process to evaluate individual job behaviour.
3. Recognize and describe workplace emotions, attitudes and stress as key influencers of an individual’s job behaviour and productivity.
4. Recognize how principles and theories of motivation are applied in the workplace and describe their impact on individual and group behaviour and productivity.
5. Identify decision-making strategies and describe the importance of creativity in this process.

6. Identify and describe the main concepts related to how the individual functions in groups, and how groups and teams accomplish tasks.
7. Identify and illustrate the communications process, the points of breakdown and resulting sources of conflict and conflict management techniques.
8. Describe the nature and role of power and politics within organization.
9. Define and describe leadership in the organizational setting and identify contemporary issues related to leadership.

10. Identify and illustrate organizational culture and its importance to organizational structure and culture.
11. Complete simple case projects and/or presentation which investigate how any number of organizational behaviour concepts relates to real life work situations.

Essential Employability Skills: OBR250 - Organizational Behaviour

• Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfils the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.
• Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.
• Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.
• Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.
• Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.
• Show respect for diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others.
• Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.
• Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.
• Take responsibility for one`s own actions, decisions, and consequences.

OBR250 - Organizational Behaviour

Explain the contemporary Canadian business environment and the context of organizational behaviour.

Sample Answer

Explain the Contemporary Canadian Business Environment and the Context of Organizational Behaviour

The contemporary Canadian business environment is constantly evolving, shaped by globalisation, technology, diversity, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility. These changes directly influence how organisations operate and how people behave at work.

1. Canadian Business Environment Today

In Canada, businesses face a competitive and multicultural environment. Some of the key features include:

• Diverse Workforce: Canada is one of the most multicultural countries in the world. Organisations employ people from various cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. This diversity impacts teamwork, communication, and leadership styles.

• Technological Advancements: Businesses increasingly rely on digital tools and automation. Technology affects job roles, communication methods, and how employees interact.

• Globalisation: Many Canadian companies operate internationally or work with foreign partners. This requires cultural awareness and adaptability in the workplace.

• Economic Factors: Inflation, interest rates, and government policies influence business operations and employment trends.

• Environmental & Social Responsibility: Canadian businesses are expected to act ethically and sustainably, with growing emphasis on green practices and corporate social responsibility (CSR).

2. The Context of Organizational Behaviour (OB)

Organizational Behaviour refers to the study of how people behave individually and in groups within an organisation. Understanding OB helps managers and employees work better together, solve problems, and achieve goals more efficiently.

In Canada’s current business climate, OB plays a critical role because:

• Motivation and Engagement: With remote and hybrid work environments growing, understanding what motivates employees is key to maintaining productivity and morale.

• Team Dynamics: Diverse teams need strong collaboration, cultural understanding, and emotional intelligence to function effectively.

• Leadership Styles: Leaders must adapt their approach to suit the changing needs of employees and respond to new challenges (e.g., mental health, work-life balance).

• Conflict Management: OB equips professionals to manage conflict, which can arise due to cultural misunderstandings, communication gaps, or power struggles.

• Organisational Culture and Change: Understanding the values and norms within a workplace helps guide employees’ behaviour. OB also helps manage change during mergers, restructuring, or policy updates.