Scope of Industrial-Organisational (I-O) Psychology
Industrial psychologists were mainly involved in
- Testing,
- Selection,
- Job evaluation, etc.
An industrial psychologist will more focus on matching individuals with existing jobs’
Industrial psychology is individual-oriented.
The research methodology in industrial psychology was largely experimental, empirical and objective in order to obtain data.
Organisational psychologists were involved in
- Individual behaviour
- Organisational change.
An organizational psychologist will more focus on modifying jobs, interpersonal and organisational conditions.
Organisational psychology is systems-oriented.
Organisational psychologists have been willing to use less rigorous, humanistic and clinical methods in order to obtain data.
Subject matter of Industrial-Organisational (I-O) Psychology
Muchinsky (2004) Psychology Applied to Work: An Introduction to Industrial and Organizational Psychology, noted six major subject areas of I-O Psychology :
Employee selection: Job analysis, Staffing, recruitment, Initial Screening tests, Selection assessments,
Ergonomics: It involves designing procedures and equipment designed for efficient performance and reduce injury.
Organizational development: Improve organizations, Increasing profits, Redesigning products, and improving the organizational structure
Performance management: Job evaluation: Evaluation of employees, Methods of Performance-Appraisal Determining pay
Training and development: What type of skills are necessary & how to develop and evaluate employee training programs.
Work-life: Employee satisfaction job satisfaction and maximizing the productivity of the workforce.
Other areas of scope and subject matter of Industrial-Organisational (I-O) Psychology are
- Competency Mapping- The Art Of Finding Talent
- Organization Culture:
- Organization Structure And Design
- Motivation In Organization- Models
- Leadership And Empowerment In The Organization
- etc