A model is an abstraction of reality, a simplified representation of some real-world phenomenon. The model illustrates that inputs lead to processes, which lead to outcomes. Outcomes can influence inputs in the future, which highlights the broad-reaching effect that OB initiatives can have on an organization’s future. Inputs are variables like personality, group structure, and organizational culture that lead to processes. These variables set the stage for what will occur in an organization later.

Processes are actions that individuals, groups, and organizations engage in as a result of inputs and that lead to certain outcomes. At the individual level, processes include emotions and moods, motivation, perception, and decision making. At the group level, they include communication, leadership, power and politics, and conflict and negotiation. At the organizational level, processes include human resources management and change practices.

Outcomes are the key variables that you want to explain or predict and that are affected by other variables. Scholars have emphasized individual-level outcomes, such as attitudes and stress, task performance, and citizenship behavior. At the group level, cohesion and functioning are the dependent variables. At the organizational level, we look at overall productivity and survival. The highest level of analysis in OB is the organization as a whole. The survival of an organization depends on how well it fits with its environment.