Association for Behavior Analysis International

In an ever evolving business community, the need for behavior analysis in organizations continues to be great. Organizations continue to struggle with similar challenges that can often seem ongoing. In addition, new technologies continue to arise in the environment that can better enable organizations to be more effective, if applied correctly. Organizational behavior management (OBM) is well positioned to help leaders and organizations navigate these challenges to effectiveness. This symposium will explore three fronts where OBM can emerge as the leading philosophy for true organizational effectiveness.

Increasingly, we are seeing many organizations challenged by a new set of pressures. These organizations find themselves in an uncertain business and social environment, where speed and nimbleness are keys to success. In this environment, leaders need ways to implement the traditional business levers in a much more rapid and effective fashion. Leaders in these organizations are looking for tools to help them manage within those environments. They are searching for ways to drive accountability, ownership, innovation, and collaboration. We will present our understanding of current and future business needs, solutions we have found effective, and the future opportunities that they suggest for the field of Organizational Behavior Management.

Over the years companies applying the principles of behavior analysis have consistently demonstrated an ability to change employee behavior. The use of feedback, for example, has been 1 element routinely leveraged to bring about significant behavior change. However, behavior change is sometimes achieved for behaviors that may not add value to an organization. As the economy continues to struggle and budgets continue to be scrutinized, it becomes more important for consulting firms to demonstrate the financial value they bring. This paper will discuss ways in which financial value can be demonstrated to clients. In addition, the authors will explore how a disciplined adherence to behavior data and results can help distinguish service providers who use the principles of behavior analysis from service providers who only claim to do so.

The application of lean manufacturing, six sigma and lean sigma efforts have been increasing in the past few years and with that increase we have seen a steadily growing demand for a behavioral approach to the efforts. Over the course of several client projects, we have worked to marry an understanding of behavioral science with that of the various process improvement efforts. We will share an overview of the methodologies, as well as the importance of behavioral science in effectively executing them. Further, we will discuss the implications of our learning for the future of the field of Organizational Behavior Management.