Copyright © 2002 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved. Topic 23 : HR Management: Groups in Business By Zhu Wenzhong

Copyright © 2002 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

Topic 23 :Topic 23 :

HR Management: Groups in BusinessHR Management: Groups in Business

By Zhu Wenzhong By Zhu Wenzhong


• State the difference between formal groups State the difference between formal groups and informal groupsand informal groups

• State the functions served by groups for both State the functions served by groups for both the organization and individualsthe organization and individuals

• State the five stages of group developmentState the five stages of group development• State the features of an effective groupState the features of an effective group• State the factors influencing group decisions State the factors influencing group decisions

LEARNING GOALSLEARNING GOALSLEARNING GOALSLEARNING GOALS


Types of groups Types of groups Types of groups Types of groups • Groups specially set up Groups specially set up

by a business to carry out by a business to carry out taskstasks

• An actual part of the An actual part of the organization with organization with arranged meetings and arranged meetings and rules determining rules determining behavior and actionsbehavior and actions

Formal groupsFormal groups


Types of groups Types of groups Types of groups Types of groups

• Groups made up of Groups made up of individuals in business individuals in business with similar interests with similar interests

• Not an actual part of Not an actual part of the organization with the organization with no formal rules no formal rules determining behavior determining behavior and actionsand actions

Formal groupsFormal groups

Informal groupsInformal groups


Functions of groups Functions of groups Functions of groups Functions of groups • Accomplish jobs that can Accomplish jobs that can

not done by one not done by one individual, especially individual, especially complex taskscomplex tasks

• Aid decision makingAid decision making• Help control individual Help control individual

behaviorbehavior• Facilitate changes Facilitate changes

For the organization For the organization


Functions of groupsFunctions of groupsFunctions of groupsFunctions of groups

• Help learn about the Help learn about the company and the company and the individuals themselvesindividuals themselves

• Help in gaining new Help in gaining new skills skills

• Obtain rewards unable Obtain rewards unable to be achieved aloneto be achieved alone

• Satisfy personal needs Satisfy personal needs in social acceptance in social acceptance esteemesteem

For the organization For the organization

For the individual For the individual


Group development stagesGroup development stagesGroup development stagesGroup development stages

FigureFigure

© PhotoDisc

Forming Storming Norming Performing Adjourning


Group development stagesGroup development stagesGroup development stagesGroup development stages• Groups members try to set Groups members try to set

rules for group behaviorsrules for group behaviors• Individuals start to find Individuals start to find

out about each other. out about each other. • Guidance is needed from Guidance is needed from

the leader. the leader.

FormingForming



Characteristics of the Characteristics of the Forming StageForming Stage ：：

• Exploration. Exploration. • Focus on similarities and Focus on similarities and

differences. differences. • First impressions are key. First impressions are key. • Confusion/anxiety. Confusion/anxiety. • Lower productivity. Lower productivity. • Issues of inclusion, Issues of inclusion,

leadership, developing leadership, developing trust.trust.

• Open communication is a Open communication is a

must.must.

FormingForming



• A conflict stage where A conflict stage where members bargain with members bargain with each other. each other.

• Individuals reveal their Individuals reveal their personal goals and personal goals and may resist the control may resist the control of others.of others.

Forming Forming

Storming Storming



• Characteristics of the Characteristics of the Storming Stage: Storming Stage:

• Competition. Competition. • Strained relationships.Strained relationships.• Leader is challenged. Leader is challenged. • Tension and disunity.Tension and disunity.• Differences are Differences are

uncomfortable.uncomfortable.• Issues of autonomy vs. Issues of autonomy vs.

control, support vs. control, support vs. competition, influence, and competition, influence, and decision-making.decision-making.

Forming Forming

Storming Storming


• Group members are developing ways of working together.

• They agree on the shared goals.

• Rules have been developed.

Forming

Storming

Norming

© PhotoDisc



• Characteristics of the Norming Stage: • Increased cohesion. • More collaboration. • Emerging trust. • Appreciation of

differences. • Issues of strengthening

relationships, open communication, positive/constructive feedback.

Forming

Storming

Norming

© PhotoDisc



• The group has developed unity or cohesion.

• People are getting the job done to realize goals.

Forming

Storming

Norming

Performing

© PhotoDisc



• Characteristics of the Performing Stage:• You have to go through the

other stages to get here.• Harmony.• Productivity.• Problem-solving.• Shared and participative

leadership. • Full development of potential.

•

Forming

Storming

Norming

Performing

© PhotoDisc



• The group ends. The group terminates because the task has been achieved or when the members have left due to failure or loss of interest.

• The feelings of members vary at this stage. While some may be happy about the group's accomplishments others may be depressed that they would be losing their friends after the group is disbanded.

Forming

Storming

Norming

Performing

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Adjourning


Characteristics of an effective Characteristics of an effective groupsgroupsCharacteristics of an effective Characteristics of an effective groupsgroups

• High commitment to achieving High commitment to achieving goals goals

• Clear understanding of the group’s Clear understanding of the group’s work work

• Open communication and trustOpen communication and trust• Ideas sharing and generatingIdeas sharing and generating• Constructive criticism and Constructive criticism and

suggestionssuggestions© PhotoDisc


Factors affecting group decisions Factors affecting group decisions Factors affecting group decisions Factors affecting group decisions

• The size of groups: The size of groups: ideally 5, over 21 ideally 5, over 21 ineffective ineffective

• Communication ways:Communication ways:centralization or centralization or decentralization decentralization

• Leadership styles:Leadership styles:automatic, automatic, persuasive,consultative or democraticpersuasive,consultative or democratic

• Skills used in groups: Skills used in groups: contribution skills contribution skills cooperation skills, production skills cooperation skills, production skills

© PhotoDisc

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Copyright © 2002 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved. Topic 23 : HR Management: Groups in Business By Zhu Wenzhong