Groups

y A group is a collection of two or more people who work

with one another regularly to achieve common goals

y Help organizations accomplish important tasks. y Help to maintain a high-quality workforce by satisfying members needs.

Teams
y A group whose members work intensely with each other to achieve a specific, common goal or objective y All teams are groups but not all groups are teams

-Teams often are difficult to form -It takes time for members to learn how to work together

Types

Groups & Teams

Formal Groups created by managers

CrossCrossFunctional Teams

Informal Groups created by workers

Command Groups

Task Forces

Friendship Groups

Interest Groups

Reference Groups

Command Groups
y Command groups are specified by the organizational chart and often consist of a supervisor and the subordinates that report to that supervisor y An example of a command group is an academic department chairman and the faculty members in that department.

Task Groups
y Task groups consist of people who work together to achieve a common task y The organization appoints members and assigns the goals and tasks to be accomplished y Other common task groups are ad hoc committees, project groups, and standing committees

Functional Groups
y A functional group is created by the organization to accomplish specific goals within an unspecified time frame y Functional groups remain in existence after achievement of current goals and objectives y

Examples of functional groups would be a marketing department, a customer service department, or an accounting department.

Interest Groups
y Interest groups usually continue over time and may last longer than general informal groups y Members of interest groups may not be part of the same organizational department but they are bound together by some other common interest

y An example of an interest group would be students who come together to form a study group for a specific class

Friendship Groups
y Friendship groups are formed by members who enjoy similar social activities, political beliefs, religious values, or other common bonds y Members enjoy each other's company and often meet after work to participate in these activities. y For example, a group of employees who form a friendship group may have an exercise group, a softball team, or a potluck lunch once a month.

Reference Groups
y A reference group is a type of group that people use to evaluate themselves y For example, the reference group for a new employee of an organization may be a group of employees that work in a different department or even a different organization

Stages of Group Development

Forming Storming

Norming

Performing

Adjourning

Forming
y Forming is an orientation period when members get to know one another and share expectations about the group y Members learn the purpose of the group as well as the rules to be followed y Individuals are often confused during this stage because roles are not clear and there may not be a strong leader

Storming
y Group is likely to see the highest level of disagreement and conflict y Individuals often vie for the leadership position during this stage of development y If members are not able to resolve the conflict, then the group will often disband or continue in existence but will remain ineffective and never advance to the other stages

Norming
y This stage is characterized by the recognition of individual differences and shared expectations y This stage is characterized by the recognition of individual differences and shared expectations. y Responsibilities are divided among members and the group decides how it will evaluate progress.

Performing
y The group has matured and attains a feeling of cohesiveness y Individuals accept one another and conflict is resolved through group discussion y Members of the group make decisions through a rational process that is focused on relevant goals rather than emotional issues.

Adjourning
y Not all groups experience this stage of development because it is characterized by the disbandment of the group y Reasons that groups disband vary, with common reasons being the accomplishment of the task or individuals deciding to go their own ways

Effectiveness
Enhance Performance Increase Responsiveness to customer Increase Innovation Increase Motivation & Satisfaction

Groups and Teams Can...

Gaining a Competitive Advantage

Characteristics of a Well-Functioning, Effective Group

Relaxed, comfortable, informal atmosphere

Task well understood & accepted

Members listen well & participate

People express feelings & ideas

Characteristics of a Well-Functioning, Effective Group

Conflict & disagreement center around ideas or methods Group aware of its operation & function

Consensus decision making

Clear assignments made & accepted

Group Behavior
y Norms of Behavior - the standards that a work group

uses to evaluate the behavior of its members y Group Cohesion - the interpersonal glue that makes members of a group stick together y Social Loafing - the failure of a group member to contribute personal time, effort, thoughts, or other resources to the group y Loss of Individuality - a social process in which individual group members lose self-awareness & its accompanying sense of accountability, inhibition, and responsibility for individual behavior

Mature Group Characteristics

y Behavioral Norms - well-understood standards of

behavior within a group

y Productivity Norms - may be consistent or inconsistent,

supportive or unsupportive of organizations productivity standards

Mature Group Characteristics

Group Cohesion - interpersonal attraction binding group members together y Enables groups to exercise effective control over the members y Groups with high cohesiveness
y demonstrate lower tension & anxiety y demonstrate less variation in productivity y demonstrate better member satisfaction, commitment,

& communication

Social Benefits of Teams

Psychological Intimacy - emotional & psychological closeness to other team or group members

Integrated Intimacy - closeness achieved through tasks & activities

Causes of Team Cohesiveness

Member Interaction Member Similarity Team Size

Team Cohesiveness

External Challenges

Somewhat Difficult Entry

Team Success

Cohesiveness and Performance

Team Norms Support Firms Goals
Moderately High Task Performance High Task Performance

Team Norms Oppose Firms Goals

Moderately Low Task Performance

Low Task Performance

Low Team Cohesiveness

High Team Cohesiveness