Chapter 9: Managing Individual Behavior

Complete set of links to companies

Access the web sites of Au Bon Pain Bakery and Continental Airlines. Then answer the following questions:

1. What elements of individual behavior in organizations can you identify at these web sites?
2. Is there any indication that these organizations strive to enhance creativity among their workforces?

Internet Exercise

Today, organizations are increasingly aware of the need to look beyond basic recruiting criteria, such as education or experience. More and more, firms are also looking for the work-related attitudes and behaviors that, combined with education and experience, can lead to high performance. For example, examine the web site of ExxonMobil. Then answer the following questions:

1. Based on what you found at ExxonMobil’s web site, what work-related attitudes and behaviors is the firm looking for in its employees?
2. What actions is ExxonMobil taking as it attempts to attract personnel with the desired work-related attitudes and behaviors?
3. In your opinion, are the actions undertaken by ExxonMobil likely to be successful in attracting the type of employee they are looking for? Why or why not?

Explore Further

Examine the web sites, and especially the "Careers" pages of other firms competing in the oil and gas industry, such as ChevronTexaco or Phillips Petroleum. Do these firms seem to be looking for the same work-related attitudes and behaviors?