ALL ABOUT GROUPS IN MANAGEMENT

2. × Two or more
individuals,
interacting and
interdependent,
who have come
together to achieve
particular
objectives.

3. Two classifications:
× Formal Groups -
defined by the
organization’s structure,
with designated work
assignments
establishing tasks.
× Informal Groups -
natural formations in
the work environment
that appear in response
to the need for social
contact.

5. STAGE V:
ADJOURN
ING
STAGE IV:
PERFORM
ING
STAGE III:
NORMING
STAGE II:
STORMING
STAGE I:
FORMING
The five-stage model

6. STAGE I: FORMING
× Characterized by a great deal of
uncertainty about the group’s
purpose, structure, and leadership.

7. STAGE II: STORMING
× Members accept the existence of
the group but resist the constraints it
imposes on individuality.

8. Stage iii: norming
× Group structure solidifies and the
group has assimilated a common set
of expectations of what defines
correct member behavior.

9. Stage iv: performing
× Group energy has formed from
getting to know and understand
each other to performing the task at
hand.

10. Stage v: adjourning
× Wrapping up activities is the
focus rather than high task
performance.

11. Group properties:
roles, norms,
status, size, &
cohesiveness

12. A set of expected behavior
patterns attributed to
someone occupying a given
position in a social unit.

13. Group property 1: roles
× Role
Perception:
our view of
how we’re
supposed to
act in a given
situation.
× Role
Expectations:
the way others
believe you
should act in a
given context.
× Role Conflict:
when compliance
with one role
requirement may
make it difficult to
comply with
another.

14. Acceptable standards of
behavior shared by their
members that express what
they ought and ought not to do
under certain circumstances.

15. Group property 2: norms
× Conformity - as a
member of a group, you
desire acceptance by the
group. Thus you are
susceptible to conforming
to the group’s norms.
× Deviant Workplace
Behavior – voluntary
behavior that violates
significant
organizational norms.

16. A socially defined
position/rank given to group
or group members by others
– permeates every society.

17. What determines status?
× The power
a person
wields over
others.
× A person’s
ability to
contribute to
a group’s
goals.
× An
individual’s
personal
characteristics.

18. The size of a group affect the
group’s overall behavior but the
effect depends on what
dependent variables you look
at.

19. Group property 4: size
×Social Loafing – the tendency
for individuals to expend less effort
when working collectively than
alone.

20. The degree to which
members are attracted to
each other and motivated to
stay in the group.

22. Group
decision
making or
individual
decision
making?

23. Group decision making: strengths
×Generate more complete information and
knowledge.
× Offers increased diversity of views.
× Increased acceptance of a solution.

24. Group decision making: weaknesses
× Time consuming.
×Conformity pressures.
× Dominated by one or few members.
× Ambiguous responsibility.

25. Group decision making techniques
× Brainstorming – can
overcome the pressures
for conformity that
dampen creativity by
encouraging any and all
alternatives while
withholding criticism.
× Nominal Group
Technique – restricts
discussion or
interpersonal
communication during the
decision-making process,
hence the term nominal.

26. FIN