You are on page 1of 32

A socially defined position or rank given to groups or group members by others

The power a person wields over others A persons ability to contribute to a groups goals An individuals personal characteristics

Smaller groups are faster at completing tasks Individuals perform better in smaller groups Large groups are consistently better at problem solving Social loafing - tendency to expend less effort in a group than as an individual

The tendency for individuals to expend less effort when working collectively than when working individually.
Performance

Group Size

Degree to which group members are attracted to each other and are motivated to stay in the group.

1.

2.
3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Make the group smaller Encourage agreement with group goals Increase the time spent together Increase the status and perceived difficulty of group membership Stimulate competition with other groups Give rewards to the group rather than to individual members Physically isolate the group

Strengths

Weaknesses

More complete information Conformity pressures More time consuming Increased diversity of views Discussions can be dominated by one or a few Higher quality of decisions members Increased acceptance of a solutions Ambiguous responsibility for the final outcome

Decision-making

Large groups facilitate the pooling of information about complex tasks.


Smaller groups are better suited to coordinating and facilitating the implementation of complex tasks. Simple, routine standardized tasks reduce the requirement that group processes be effective in order for the group to perform well.

Phenomenon in which the norm for consensus overrides the realistic appraisal of alternative course of action.

A change in decision risk between the groups decision and the individual decision that member within the group would make; can be either toward conservatism or greater risk.

Interacting Groups Typical groups, in which the members interact with each other face-to-face.

Nominal Group Technique A group decision-making method in which individual members meet faceto-face to pool their judgments in a systematic but independent fashion.

Brainstorming An idea-generation process that specifically encourages any and all alternatives, while withholding any criticism of those alternatives.

Electronic Meeting

A meeting in which members interact on computers, allowing for anonymity of comments and aggregation of votes.

What is a Team?

Unit of 2 or more people Interact or coordinate their work To accomplish a specific goal

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

Teams mature groups with a degree of member interdependence and motivation to achieve a common goal

Groups
Works on common goals Accountable to manager Skill levels are often random Performance is evaluated by leader

Teams
Total commitment to common goals Accountable to team members Skill levels are often complementary Performance is evaluated by members as well as leaders Culture is based on collaboration and total commitment to common goals Performance can be greater than the sum of members contribution or synergistic (e.g., 1 + 1 + 1

Culture is one of change and conflict


Performance can be positive, neutral, or negative

Teams typically outperform individuals.

Teams use employee talents better.


Teams are more flexible and responsive to changes in the environment. Teams facilitate employee involvement. Teams are an effective way to democratize and organization and increase motivation.

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.

Cross-Functional Teams

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

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

EXHIBIT 94

The Challenges

Overcoming individual resistance to team membership.


Countering the influence of individualistic cultures. Introducing teams in an organization that has historically valued individual achievement. Selecting employees who can fulfill their team roles. Training employees to become team players.

Shaping Team Players


Reworking the reward system to encourage cooperative efforts while continuing to recognize individual contributions.

Three tests to see if a team fits the situation:

Is the work complex and is there a need for different perspectives?


Does the work create a common purpose or set of goals for the group that is larger than the aggregate of the goals for individuals? Are members of the group involved in interdependent tasks?

You might also like