NISHA HARIYANI

Foundations of Group Behavior & Understanding Work Team

Definition of a Group

A collection of individuals, the

members accept a common

task, become interdependent

in their performance, and

interact with one another to

promote its accomplishment

Harold H. Kelley

and J.W. Thibaut

The Nature of groups

Three views :

Normative views describes how a group is

to be organized and how its activities are to

be carried out.

Group dynamics consists of a set of

techniques.

Regarding internal nature of groups

Theory of Propinquity- People associate with

one another due to geographical proximity. Balance Theory- People who have similar

attitudes toward certain objects and goals tend to

form a group. Exchange Theory- The reward-cost outcomes of

interactions serve as the basis for group formation

Dynamics of Group Formation

Various Types of Groups

Formal groups Informal Groups Small groups Large groups Primary groups Secondary groups Coalitions Membership groups Reference groups

Command groups

Task groups

Friendship groups

Interest groups

These groups are formed by the organization to carry out specific tasks. It includes two types: Command group Task groups

Formal Groups

Command Group: Represented in the organization chart. Permanent in nature. Members report to common supervisors. Functional reporting relationship exists.

Task groups: Formed to carry out specific tasks. Temporary in nature.

Formal Groups contd…

Informal groups are formed by the employees

themselves. Hence they are not formally

structured. They are of two types: Friendship groups Interest groups

Informal Groups

Small groups: Only a few members. Face-to-face interaction and better communication is possible.

Large groups: Members is very high. Personal interaction is not possible.

Other types Include

Primary group:It is made up of members who have similar and

loyalties and has a feeling of friendship towards each other.

Secondary groups:They share same values and beliefs, but because

of the size of the group, they do not interact often with each other

Coalitions:They are created by members for a specific

purposed and do not have a formal structure.

Membership groups: They are the groups to which individual actually belongs.

Reference groups: It is actually the groups to which an individual would like to belong.

Stages of Group Development

Stages of Group DevelopmentThe five-Stage Model:

Adjourning/MourningCompletion, ending or evolution

PerformingAchieving the purpose

NormingAgreeing purpose and conduct

StormingResolving differences

FormingInitial meeting together

Punctuated Equilibrium Model

Punctuated-Equilibrium Model

Temporary groups go through transitions between inertia and activity.

Sequence of actions:2. Setting group direction

3. First phase of inertia

4. Half-way point transition

5. Major changes

6. Second phase of inertia

7. Accelerated activity

It helps shape the behavior of its members, predict the behavior and guide the performance of the group as a whole.

Group Structure

Leader’s behavior has a significant impact on

the group behavior and performance Style of a leader is imitated by the members of

the group.

Formal leadership

Set of behavior pattern which an individual occupying a certain position in society is expected to display.

Dimensions of role are:

Role IdentityRole perceptionRole Expectations Role Conflict

Roles

Acceptable standards of behaviour within a group that are shared by the group’s members.

Norms pertaining to performance related process Appearance norms Norms pertaining to informal social arrangements Norms that regulate the allocation of resources

Norms

A socially defined position or rank given to groups or

group members by others.

Example : a cabin of one’s own an air conditioner etc

Status

Groups of 5-7 members exercise the best elements of both small and large groups.

Social Loafing - The tendency for individuals to expend less effort when working collectively than when working individually.

Size of a Group

Most group activities

require a variety of

skills and knowledge.

Research studies show

that heterogeneous

groups are likely to

perform more

effectively.

Composition of a Group

The effectiveness of a group is influenced by the complexity and the interdependence of the task to be performed by its members.

Large groups facilitate pooling of information e.g. addition of a diverse perspective to a problem-solving committee.

Group Tasks

The processes that go on within a work group

e.g. communication patterns, group decision

processes, leader behaviour, power dynamics,

conflict interactions etc.

Synergy.

Social

facilitation effect.

Group Processes

Norms and roles in informal

groups

Norms:

Roles: sharper, plant,

monitor evaluator, team

worker, implementer, co

coordinator, complete fisher,

resource investigator,

specialist

Dynamics of Informal Groups

Significance of Informal Groups:

Informal group are quite powerful and influential because the members of the group have a lot in common and depend on each other to carry our organizational activities.

Prevent organizational changes

Role conflict

Increased scope for rumor

Pressure to conform to group norms

Difficulties and problems Associated with informal Groups

Dynamics of formal work Groups

Although group dynamics is generally associated

with informal norms and roles, formally

designated work groups also have noticeable

dynamics.

Example: Committee

Positive Attributes of Committees It facilitates the integration of the ideas and opinions of the members.

It brings together people with varied experience, knowledge and abilities.

It helps in the development and growth of human resources

It helps in the development and growth of human resources

Negative Attributes of Committees

very time-consuming and costly. responsible for a bad decision or mistake

Understanding Work Teams

Definition of Work Teams

A small number of people with

complemen-tary skills who are committed

to a common purpose, common

performance goals, and an approach for

which they hold themselves mutually

accountable”.

-G. Moorhead and R.W. Griffin

• Enhanced performance• Employee benefits• Reduced costs

• Organizational enhancements

Benefits of Work Teams

Team Versus Group: What’s the Difference

Work Group

A group that interacts primarily to share information and to make decisions to help each group member perform within his or her area of responsibility.Work Team

A group whose individual efforts result in a performance that is greater than the sum of the individual inputs.

Types of Teams

Problem-Solving Teams

Groups of 5 to 12 employees from the same department who meet for a few hours each week to discuss ways of improving quality, efficiency, and the work environment.

Self-Managed Work Teams

Groups of 10 to 15 people who take on the responsibilities of their former supervisors.

Types of Teams (cont’d)

•Task forces

•Committees

Cross-Functional Teams

Employees from about the same hierarchical level, but from different work areas, who come together to accomplish a task.

Types of Teams

Virtual Teams

Teams that use computer technology to tie together physically dispersed members in order to achieve a common goal.

Team Effectiveness

.

• Providing a supportive environment:

• Relevant skills and role clarity:

• Focus on superordiante goals.• Team rewards:

Shaping Individuals Into Team Players

Selection:

Good interpersonal skills

Training:

Can be trained by specialists

Rewards:

Financial or non financial rewards

Applying Group Concepts to Teams: Towards Creating Effective Teams

Size of work teams Abilities of members Allocation of work roles Strong commitment to a common purpose Specifying clear and realistic performance goals

Good leadership and effective structure Preventing social loafing and determining accountability Proper evaluation and reward systems Generating mutual trust among team members

Teams and Total Quality Management

TQM means process improvement and employee involvement is the key to process improvement.

Teams and Workforce Diversity

Diversified teams provide unique and

innovative solutions, but at the same time,

they are cohesive.

Teams and Workforce Diversity

Advantages

Multiple perspectives

Greater openness to new ideas

Multiple interpretations Increased creativity

Increased problem actions solving skills

Disadvantages AmbiguityComplexityConfusioninterpretations MiscommunicationDifficulty in reaching a single agreementDifficulty in agreeing on specific