Team Project

Organizational Behavior concepts in TV shows

By R. Wilson, C. Andri,A. Scouflaire and M. Fisher

Plot Summary

• Created by Tina Fey, first aired 2006

• Named after 30 Rockefeller Plaza, NYC

• Interactions between people working on a comedy show

Jack Donaghy, the boss

• Right wing elistist

• « titan of industry »

• Full of self-insurance

• Success believer

Jack Donaghy, the boss

• Tests phsychological contract:

– playing on loyalty

– playing on knowledge

– playing on initiative

• Big Five traits:

– Openness

– Conscientiousness

– Extraversion

– Agreeableness

– Neuroticism

Jack Donaghy, the boss

Liz Lemon, head writer

• Skilled writer

• Something as a geek

• No interest in physical appearance

• Disastrous sentimental life

Liz Lemon, head writer

• Context of the scene:

– Tracy has just been hired

– Jenna is afraid the newcomer will take her place

Liz Lemon, head writer

• Link to the video.

• Can you find any organizational behavior problem?– 14 principles of Fayol

Liz Lemon, head writer

• Fayol’s 14 principles of management:

– Equity: unfair to employees

– Esprit de corps: 3 groups, no unity

– Authority, discipline: gets thrown food

Liz Lemon, head writer

• Can you find any solution to these management faults?

Liz Lemon, head writer

• Equity:– Work on social relationship skills– Create a culture of respect and dignity– Provide effective, supportive and non-intrusive

supervision

• Esprit de corps:– Create a group ethical code, a sense of membership

(customs)

• Authority, discipline:– Differentiate friendship from work duties

Tracy Jordan, actor

• Ex-Hollywood star

• Personnality disorders, schizophrenia • Sometimes unruly

• The “funny black guy”

Tracy Jordan, actor

• Tracy Jordan added to the cast by upper management

• Distress of Liz and the cast

• Reputation for outrageous behavior.• Video Clip: Disc 1 Episode 1 10min14sec – 12min:25sec Liz Meets Tracy for lunch

Tracy Jordan, actor

• McCelland’s Theory of Needs– Achievement– Affiliation– Power

• What motivates Tracy Jordan?

Tracy Jordan, actor

• High need of power: follow a path of continued promotion– Behaviors :

• Enjoy being in charge• Want to influence others• Prefer competitive and status-oriented situations• More concerned with prestige and influence than

with effective performance

Tracy Jordan, actor

• Different types of power:– Personal power

• Autocratic / self serving• Not organizationally effective• Low self-discipline• No rewards• Co-workers feel weak and

powerless

– Position power• Influencing for the common good• Organizationally effective• High self-discipline• Rewards good performance• Helps co-workers feel strong and

responsible

Jenna Maroney, actor

• Internal Locus of Control

• Histrionic personality disorder • Easily persuaded

• Good in show/ bad in business

• Improper hire:

– Best friends with Liz; hired simultaneously

Jenna Maroney, actor

• Emotional disorders

Jenna Maroney, actor

• McClelland’s theory

• Affiliation

o Everyone likes her

o Says whatever pleases

• Power

o Nonexistent

o Seen as dumb blond

• Achievement

o Star of the show

o Couple CDs and movies

Jenna Maroney, actor

• Expectancy theory:– Employees motivated by

• Valence X Expectancy X Instrumentality

– Preference for an outcome

– Beliefs that efforts can get me the reward

– Beliefs that the organization will give the reward

• It’s a personal problem

Conclusion

• OB theories noticeable in this show:• Psychological contract• Big Five traits• Fayol’s 14 principles of management• McClelland’s theory• Different types of power• Expectancy theory