Definition of Group
Group is defined as minimum two or more than two individuals who come together to complete particular task(s) usually towards achievement of goal(s). These individuals normally related to each other by some organizational or social relationships. The group may be of two types: - informal group and - formal groups The behavior of individuals in a group may get modified to certain extent as compared their behavior when they are independent of the group. This is due to the interactions between the members of the group and their influence on each other.
Definition of Group Dynamics
Group dynamics is the study of groups. It is an important subject of organizational behavior (OB), particularly for the organizational groups. It studies groups - Formation - Structure - Interaction and behavior - Process. Study of the group processes forms the most important core subject of the studies while looking at the group functioning. Due to this reason, many a time, people understand group dynamics and group process as one and the same.
Formation of Groups Why Are Groups Formed?
Individuals sharing common sentiments, purpose and activities start interacting and form a group. When individuals perceive that they can expect beneficial exchanges explicitly or implicitly by forming the group, they do so and become part of the group. When individuals believe that they can get an identity, belongingness, self-esteem or prestige by affiliating to a particular or significant or prominent group, they do so.
How Groups Get Formed and Develop? Bruce Tuckman gave a five stage framework for formation and development of groups in 1960s. These five stages are given below: 1. Forming:
Due to any one of the reasons enunciated earlier, group gets formed.
Normally, the group gets formed with an incomplete idea of its goals or purposes. So, at the beginning of formation, there is some confusion and uncertainty. Leadership of the group and the roles and tasks to be undertaken by the group do not emerge clearly. Thus, forming is an induction process through which members get to know each other and share expectations from the group. Members gradually learn the purpose of the group and the guidelines to be followed. Forming stage should not be rushed because trust and openness have yet to develop. These feelings strengthen in later stages of development.
2. Storming:
In this stage, the group is likely to experience the highest level of disagreement and conflict as members may voice concerns and criticism. Members often question and challenge group goals. They also struggle for power or leadership. If members can ultimately achieve understanding and cohesiveness through collaboration and resolution, the group may continue as a group. Otherwise, the group may disband. However, if it still continues, it may remain ineffective and may not make progress to the subsequent stages.
3. Norming:
In this stage, the members start recognizing their individual differences and also their shared expectations. Members may begin to develop a feeling of group identity and group harmony. Cooperative efforts may begin. Roles and responsibilities among members may get decided. They may also decide on how to evaluate progress of the group.
4. Performing:
At performing stage, group might have achieved maturity and there will be greater degree of harmony among its members. There is more mutual acceptance among the members now. Conflict can be managed and resolved more amicably through collaborative processes. Decisions making takes place more on rational basis aimed at achieving goals rather than highlighting the emotional issues.
5. Adjourning:
All groups do not experience this stage at all. Many groups remain permanent. Some groups that complete their tasks and goals may decide on disbanding the group. This stage is characterized by the feelings of sadness normally associated with closure of any group and separation of the members.
Types of Leadership Required in First Four Stages of Group Formation/Development 1. Tell:
It is the type of leadership required in the first stage called forming Facilitate members; introduction with each other each other and tell the individual contribution to the task expected from them. Provide a sense of purpose and clarify limits, deadlines and constraints. Assess the skills and try to identify group roles Begin to anticipate likely blocks and barriers to progress
2. Sell:
It is the type of leadership required in the second stage called storming Its a delicate role Continue to provide direction Encourage building of trust and openness Manage conflicts positively to arrive at look for a common platform Be prepared to mediate and determine solutions even if they might not be popular with everyone
3. Consult:
It is the type of leadership required in the third stage called norming Less directive and more supportive Maintain openness and trust Challenge the group if it starts to become complacent Celebrate individual and group successes Encourage regular reviews to ensure group's progress
4. Participate:
It is the type of leadership required in the fourth stage called performing Lead from behind Ensure that the group has required resources and support Represent the group to the wider organization Encourage regular evaluation to avoid complacency Develop the skills
Group Process Given below are the major factors or elements of group process:
Extent of task focus (giving information, seeking information, summarizing, getting on etc) and extent of social focus (encouraging, harmonizing, drawing in, mirroring, pleasing, entertaining etc) Characteristics of communication, coordination, cooperation, support and collaboration Patterns of self-oriented behavior (silence, hurt feeling, withdrawal, tension, anxiety etc) Mix of influencing, convincing, dictating, bribing, cajoling, flattery etc Roles Relationships Patterns of dominance and submission Conflict management and conflict resolution Level of group effectiveness Team building and synergy
Types of Groups
Informal groups Formal
Informal Groups These groups may get formed within an organization or outside an organization. They do not necessarily follow the rules and guidelines of the organization. They informally follow the guidelines of the informal group. These groups are called interest groups, friendship groups, reference groups etc. Given below are a few examples of informal groups:
Employees meet near water cooler and gossip Five secretaries from marketing department meet once a month for lunch to discuss mutual concerns and to seek relief from tedious aspects of their job Four computer programmers form a jogging club that meets three days per week to run five miles after office hours All employees of a section meet and discuss how to improve and beautify office layouts Seven workers of a production shop floor meet once a week to solve their technical problems
Formal Groups These groups are formally created in an organization and follow the rules and guidelines prescribed by the organization. These are: 1. Command groups They are explained by a formal organization structure and depicted on the organizational chart. A companys organization network starting with the chairman of
board of directors through its various levels of managers right down to the workers is a typical command group example. 2. Task groups or task forces People working together to achieve a common task form a task group or a task force. Members are grouped together either from the same department or cross-functionally to complete some specified goals on a timeline. These task forces are appointed for a specified periods and disbanded after the goals are achieved. 3. Functional groups Functional group is created to carry out specific functions in an organization. These are normally on-going departments of anorganization and are permanent till re-structuring of organization is undertaken. Methods of Arriving at Decisions in Group
Lack of response (Plop) Authority rule (Mine is right or might is right) Minority rule (Silence means consent) Majority rule (Collection - win - lose competition) Consensus (Near total agreement) Unanimity (Total agreement)
Group dynamics is a system of behaviors and psychological processes occurring within a social group or between social groups. The social group is an entity that has qualities that cannot be understood by only studying the individuals in the group. Group dynamics as a system has roots in both psychology and sociology, and can be helpful in studying group decision making and how the group works together.
GROUPS INTRODUCTION
Groups exist in every organization and they affect the behavior of their members. They also have impact on the other groups and the organization as a whole. Such groups are created by the organization as well as by organization members for their own satisfaction. Many groups are also created automatically because of operation of socio psychological factors at workplace. Thus these groups are essential for an organizations functioning. Introduction Group dynamics refers to an insight into the behavior of group members and to incline their behaviors towards the achievement of group goals. DEFINITION The social process by which people interact and behave in a group environment is called group dynamics Why People Join Groups Security : Reduce the insecurity of standing alone; feel stronger, fewer self doubts, and more resistant to threats Status : Inclusion in a group viewed by outsiders as important; provides recognition and status Self-esteem : Provides feelings of self-worth to group members, in addition to conveying status to outsiders Affiliation : Fulfills social needs. Enjoys regular interaction; can be primary source for fulfilling need for affiliation Power : What cannot be achieved individually often becomes possible; power in numbers Goal achievement : Some tasks require more than one person; need to pool talents, knowledge, or power to complete the job. In such instances, management may rely on the use of a formal group
Techniques Used to Improve Group Decisions A. Brainstorming B. The nominal group technique C. Delphi technique
What is brainstorming? Brainstorming is a means of generating ideas. Brainstorming can be used to identify alternatives, obtain a complete list of items and to solve problems. There are a variety of brainstorming techniques. The common principle of brainstorming is to set aside the restrictive thinking processes so that many ideas can be generated.
RULES No criticism of ideas Go for large quantities of ideas Build on each others ideas Encourage wild and exaggerated ideas
