Applying Behavior Analysis in Organizations: Organizational Behavior Management

Organizational behavior management (OBM) is the application of behavioral principles to individuals and groups in business, industry, government, and human service settings. OBM has its roots in the field of applied behavior analysis, which involves the application of operant and respondent procedures to produce socially significant change in human behavior. Modern OBM includes a number of subdisciplines such as performance management, systems analysis, and behavior-based safety. Its focus is on organizational problems such as lack of knowledge and skills, occupational injuries, productivity improvement, and quality deficits. This review provides a description of the theoretical and conceptual background of OBM, a brief history of the discipline, and a description of common topics and areas of applications. An example of a typical OBM application in a human service setting is also included.