Definition

A Group can be defined as a collection of

individuals working in face to face
relationships to share information and
resources for a task to be achieved.

 Formal

Groups

These groups are consciously created to

serve an organisational objective.

 Informal

Groups

These groups develop naturally among

people, without any direction from the
organisation within they operate. They are
formed spontaneously and are based on
personal
relationships
or
specific
interests.

Formal Groups

Functional Groups
Task Group or Project Group
Task Force or an Ad hoc Committee
Quality Circle

Informal Groups
Interest Group
Friendship Group

Functional Groups/ Command Groups

These are specified by the organizational
chart and often consist of a supervisor and
the subordinates that report to that
supervisor.
Examples: Marketing, Finance, HR, R&D

Task Group or Project Group

These are created for a specific purpose of
identifying and resolving specific problems in
a organizational .
Examples: Project managers in IT companies,
Construction projects

 Task

Force or an Ad hoc Committee

It is a temporary team formed to address a

specific issue.
Examples:
Re-designing
performance
appraisal, Improving quality of a product.

 Quality

Circle

It is formed to ensure commitment from

every member of the organization to
upgrade and retain quality.

 Interest

Group

It is formed to bring together employees

with similar interest and satisfy common
interest.
Examples: Cultural groups, etc.

 Friendship

Groups

Employees with similar beliefs, values,

background,
characteristics
or
personalities may form their own group.

 Virtual

Groups

Is a group of individuals who work across

time, space and organizational boundaries
with links strengthened by webs of
communication technology.

 Forming
Member`s
behavior

Characteristics of
group

Task performance

Eager, anxious,
gather impressions
and data about the
similarities and
differences among
members, keep
things simple and
avoid any
controversies

Uncertain about the

group`s purpose,
structure and
leadership

Work output is low,

focused on defining
the goals and tasks

 Storming
Member`s
behavior

Characteristics of
group

Task performance

Confront the
differences, feel
angry or frustrated,
resent formal
leadership, lot of
competition and
hostilities

Argument, conflict
and a dip in morale

Clarify all
misunderstandings

 Norming
Member`s
behavior

Characteristics of
group

Task performance

Less dissatisfied and

a feeling of
belongingness to the
group

Leadership is shared,
cliques dissolve and
levels of trust
increase in the group

Issues are resolves,

group norms develop,
such as setting of
group policies,
procedures and
values

 Performing
Member`s
behavior

Characteristics of
group

Task performance

Interdependence in
personal relations,
tendency to get
involved in, and
problem solving

The group gains its

identity, group
morale is high and
group loyalty is
intense

Highly productive

 Adjourning
Member`s
behavior

Characteristics of
group

Task performance

Upset and depressed

Disengagement from
relationships

Termination of task

 Definition

: Are the forces operating in

groups that affect they ways members
work together.

Two

Sets of behavior:

Required
Emergent

 Required

are those formally defined

and expected by the organization.

Examples:

Punctuality, respect for

customers, assistance to co-workers,
etc.

Emergent are those that group members

display in addition to what the organization
asks of them.

They derive from personal initiative and

beyond forma job requirement.

Example: Send an e-mail to an absent

member to keep him informed.

 Norms

Performance Norms
Appearance Factors
Allocation of resources
Conformity
Size
Composition
Cohesiveness

The Command Style of Group Decision

Making
The Consultative Style of Group Decision
Making
The Consensus Style of Group Decision
Making

The Command
Making

Style

of

Group

Decision

What It Is Leader makes a decision with little or

no input from the members
Advantage Decision making is quick
Disadvantage Little or No commitment to the
decision of the members

The Command Style of Group Decision Making

When It Is Used
The Group perceives you to be the expert
The Group likes all of the possible decisions that could
be made
The Group asks you to decide
It is not important that the group be committed to the
decision that is made
There is not enough time (e.g. Crisis situation)

The Consultative Style of Group Decision Making

What It Is Leader seeks input and advise from the
group before making the decision, but makes the final
decision himself
Advantage Decision likely to meet the needs of the
group
Disadvantage Some group members may still
disagree

The Consultative Style of Group Decision

Making
When It Is Used
The Group does not have the information,
education, skill or experience to make a high
quality decision
The Group does not share goals or objectives
that you hope to achieve by solving the problem

The Consensus Style of Group Decision

Making
What It Is Leader seeks input and advise from
the group and works through the decision
making process with the group, until every
member of the group live with the final decision
that is made.
Advantage High degree of buy-in and
commitment. All members are actively involved.

The Consensus Style of Group Decision

Making
Disadvantage Time required to make a decision
When It Is Used
The Group shares the same goals or objectives
The Group members have the education, skill and
experience to make a high quality decision
High degree of commitment to the decision
Its not a Crisis situation

 Definition

A team can be defined as a group of

individuals working in a face-to-face
relationship for a common goal.

Groups

Teams

Purpose

Same as Organization

Specific

Work Products

Individual

Collective

Process

Discuss, decide, delegate

Discuss, decide, do

Leadership

A single leader

Shared

Meetings

Efficient

Open, problem solving

Accountability

Individual

Individual and mutual

Evaluation

Indirect (e.g. financial)

Direct (collective work

product)