GROUPS AND TEAMS
WHAT IS A GROUP?
Two or more individuals, interacting and independent, who have come together to achieve particular objectives
.
Types of groups Formal group
is created within an organization to complete a specific role or task.
Informal group
is established by individuals within the organization that a need to interact with one another
Forming Storming Norming Performing Adjourning
5 Stages of Group Development
Forming:
The first stage, forming, is characterized by a great deal of uncertainty about the group's purpose, structure, and leadership.
Storming: The storming stage is one of intra-group conflicts. Members accept the existence
of the group, but there is resistance to the constraints that the group imposes on individuality over who will control the group.
Norming:
is one in which close relationships develop and the group demonstrate cohesiveness. There is now a strong sense of group identity
Performing:
The structure at this point is fully functional and accepted. Group energy has moved from getting to know and understand each other to performing the task at hand.
Adjourning:
In this stage groups prepares for disbandment
Role(s)
A set of expected behavior patterns attributed to someone occupying a given position in a social unit.
Role Identity
Certain attitudes and behaviors consistent with a role.
Role Perception
An individuals view of how he or she is supposed to act in a given situation.
Role Expectations
How others believe a person should act in a given situation.
Psychological Contract
An unwritten agreement that sets out what management expects from the employee and vice versa.
Role Conflict
A situation in which an individual is confronted by divergent role expectations.
Norms
Acceptable standards of behavior within a group that are shared by the group members.
Deviant Workplace Behavior
Antisocial actions by organizational members that intentionally violate established norms and result in negative consequences for the organization, its members, or both.
Group norms can influence the presence of deviant behavior.
Status: A socially defined position or rank given to
groups or group members by others.
Power over Others
Norms & Interaction
Ability to Contribute
Group Member Status
Personal Characteristics
Status Inequity
National Culture
Social Loafing
The tendency for individuals to expand less effort when working collectively than when working individually.
Performance
Other conclusions:
Odd number groups do better than even. Groups of 5 to 7 perform better overall than larger or smaller groups.
Group Size
Cohesiveness
Degree to which group members are attracted to each other and are motivated to stay in the group.
Increasing group cohesiveness:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Make the group smaller. Encourage agreement with group goals. Increase time members spend together. Increase group status and admission difficultly. Stimulate competition with other groups. Give rewards to the group, not individuals. Physically isolate the group.
TEAM: A group whose members work intensely with each other to achieve a specific, common goal or objective.
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.
Cross-Functional Teams
Employees from about the same hierarchical level, but from different work areas, who come together to accomplish a task.
Task forces Committees
Virtual Teams
Teams that use computer technology to tie together physically dispersed members in order to achieve a common goal.
Differences Between Groups and Teams
Group Has a designated, strong leader Individual accountability Identical purpose for group and organization Performance goals set by others Individual work products Organized meetings; delegation Team Shares or rotates leadership roles Mutual/ind. accountability Specific team vision or purpose Performance goals set by team Collective work products Mutual feedback, openended discussion, active 19 problem-solving
