"Is OB Mod a form of manipulation? And if it is, is it unethical for managers to manipulate the behavior of employees?"

Answer 1

What do you think? We'll be glad to comment on your answer.

You may want to check these sites to help you make your decisions.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10261203

http://faculty.css.edu/dswenson/web/OB/obmod.html

Answer 2

In that this behaviorist approach to behavior is based on positive reinforcement, I would not call it manipulation. If it is, then parents, who reward positive behavior with praise or "goodies" , are also being manipulative. Don't think so!!! I think they are teaching their children that good behavior has its rewards.
Look at the sites below.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10261203

http://faculty.css.edu/dswenson/web/OB/obmod.html