Organizational Development

Organizational Behavior, organizational culture, diversity, communication, organizational effectiveness and efficiency, and organizational learning are key terminology and concepts that must be understood in order to become successful in a work environment.

Organizational behavior

Organizational behavior is the study of individuals and groups in organizations (Schermerhorn, J.) Though it may be overlooked much of the times, it is very important to understand that organizational behavior has to do with how an individuals act to behave in specific situations. It has nothing to do with motives as some would want to understand.

Farmers insurance has thousands of employees; however it has thousand of smaller offices in which each office has less than ten employees. Working with a small amount of individuals on a daily basis, it becomes very easy to get to know them and to know their strengths and weaknesses. The strengths and weaknesses of my co-workers be came apparent by time and it is, in a sense a study of the individuals in the organization.

Organizational Culture

Organizational or corporate culture is the system of shared actions, values, and beliefs that develops within an organization and guides the behavior of its members. (Schermerhorn, J.). The organizational culture at the Linares Insurance Agency is directed by Farmers Insurance and its bigger picture. Farmers Insurance has a slogan "Gets you back where you belong" this is the foundation for the values and beliefs within the Linares Insurance Agency.

Organizational culture can affect the behavior of employees in a positive way and in a negative way depending on the shared actions, values and beliefs. If the employee doe not agree with the value system it can affect the company by the employee not doing the work he should be doing.

Diversity

Diversity is the presence of differences based on gender, race and ethnicity, age, and able-bodiedness (Schermerhorn, J.). In the United States and especially California there is a much diversity. In almost every organization you will have diversity. Diversity can affect an organization in both positive and negative way.

In an office in which only five employees work it can affect how individuals communicate, usually if communication is affected it is negatively. Diversity can create distance between employees when the employees do not feel connected to each other. However, diversity may affect an organization in a positive way in that the more diverse an organization the more people the organization can reach.

Communication

Communication is crucial to the success of any organization. It is required to achieve any worthwhile goal within the organization. Communication can take lots of forms, for example in a small insurance agency communication