Unit 4 Foundations of Group Behavior

Unit
Unit 44
Foundations
Foundations of
of Group
Group
Behavior
Behavior
Defining
Defining Group
Group
 Group:
– Two or more interacting individuals (i. mutual interaction)
with a stable pattern of relationships between them (ii.
Regular face to face interaction over a sustained period of
time) who share common goals ( shared interest) & who
perceive themselves to be a group (mutual awareness &
collective identity) and interdependent, who have come
together to achieve particular objectives.
 The Nature of Group:
1. Two or more persons
2. Interaction
3. Reasonable size
4. Shared Goal Interest
5. Stability
6. Collective Identity
Why
Why People
People Join
Join Groups
Groups
 Warmth & Support
 Power
 Affiliation
 Security
 Recognition
 Status
 Proximity
 Self-esteem
 Goal Achievement
Classifying
Classifying Groups
Groups
 Formal Group:
– Defined by the organization’s structure with
designated work assignments establishing tasks
– For eg: Command group & Task group
 Informal Group:
– Alliances that are neither formally
structured nor organizationally determined
– Appear naturally in response to the
Need for social contact
– Deeply affect behavior and performance
– For eg: Friendship groups, Interest groups & reference groups
Subclassifications
Subclassifications of
of Groups
Groups
Formal Groups Informal Groups

 Command Group  Interest Group
– A group composed of the – Members work together to
individuals who report attain a specific objective with
directly to a given manager which each is concerned
 Task Group  Friendship Group
– Those working together to – Those brought together
complete a job or task in an because they share one or
organization but not limited more common characteristics
by hierarchical boundaries
Advantages
Advantages && Disadvantages
Disadvantages
of
of Formal
Formal Groups
Groups
 Pooled knowledge &  Cost
judgment  Indecisiveness
 Grp pressures bring  Compromising
about better quality attitudes
decisions  Divided
 Helps in consolidation responsibility
of authority  Dominance by few
 Helps in avoiding  Political decisions
action & escaping
responsibility
Five
Five Stages
Stages of
of Group
Group Development
Development Model
Model
The
The Five
Five Stages
Stages of
of Group
Group Development
Development
1. Forming
– Members feel much uncertainty
2. Storming
– Lots of conflict between members of the group
3. Norming Stage
– Members have developed close relationships and
cohesiveness
4. Performing Stage
– The group is finally fully functional
5. Adjourning Stage
– In temporary groups, characterized by concern with
wrapping up activities rather than performance
Critique
Critique of
of the
the Five-Stage
Five-Stage Model
Model
 Assumption: the group becomes more effective as it
progresses through the first four stages
– Not always true – group behavior is more complex
– High levels of conflict may be conducive to high
performance
– The process is not always linear
– Several stages may occur simultaneously
– Groups may regress
 Ignores the organizational context
Group
Group Properties
Properties
Group
Group Property
Property 1:
1: Roles
Roles
 Role
– 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 individual’s view of how he or she is supposed to act in a
given situation – received by external stimuli
 Role Expectations
– How others believe a person should act in a given situation
– Psychological Contract: an unwritten agreement that sets out
mutual expectations of management and employees
 Role Conflict
– A situation in which an individual is confronted by divergent role
expectations
Group
Group Property
Property 2:
2: Norms
Norms
 Norms
– Acceptable standards of behavior within a group that are
shared by the group’s members
 Classes of Norms
– Performance norms - level of acceptable work
– Appearance norms - what to wear
– Social arrangement norms - friendships and the like
– Allocation of resources norms - distribution and assignments
of jobs and material
Group
Group Norms
Norms and
and the
the Hawthorne
Hawthorne Studies
Studies
A series of studies undertaken by Elton Mayo at Western
Electric Company’s Hawthorne Works in Chicago between
1924 and 1932
Research Conclusions
– Worker behavior and sentiments were closely related.
– Group influences (norms) were significant in affecting
individual behavior.
– Group standards (norms) were highly effective in
establishing individual worker output.
– Money was less a factor in determining worker output than
were group standards, sentiments, and security.
Group
Group Structure
Structure -- Status
Status
Group
Group Structure
Structure -- Size
Size
Performance
d
te
o
ec
e t
p
du
Ex
(
u al )
c t g
A afin Other
Otherconclusions:
conclusions:
lo • • Odd
Oddnumber
numbergroups
groupsdodo
Group Size better than even.
better than even.
Groups
Groupsof of77or
or99perform
perform
Managerial
ManagerialImplications better
Build
Implications betteroverall
overallthan
thanlarger
larger
Build in individualaccountability
in individual accountability or
orsmaller
smallergroups.
groups.
Prevent
Prevent social loafingby:
social loafing by:
Setting group goals
Setting group goals
Increase
Increaseintergroup
intergroupcompetition
competition
Use peer evaluation
Use peer evaluation
Distribute group rewards based on
Group
Group Property
Property 4:
4: Size
Size
 Group size affects behavior
 Size:
– Twelve or more members is a “large” group
– Seven or fewer is a “small” group
 Best use of a group:
Attribute Small Large
Speed X
Individual Performance X
Problem Solving X
Diverse Input X
Fact-finding Goals X
Overall Performance X
Defying
Defying Norms:
Norms: Deviant
Deviant Workplace
Workplace Behavior
Behavior
 Deviant Workplace Behavior
– Also called antisocial behavior or workplace incivility
– Voluntary behavior that violates significant organizational norms and, in

doing so, threatens the well-being of the organization
– Typology:
• Production – intentionally working slow
» leaving early
• Property – damage and stealing
• Political – favoritism and gossip
• Personal Aggression – sexual harassment
» verbal abuse
» stealing from coworkers
Group
Group Property
Property 5:
5: Cohesiveness
Cohesiveness
Degree to which group members are attracted to each
other and are motivated to stay in the group
Managerial Implication
– To increase cohesiveness:
• Make the group smaller.
• Encourage agreement with group goals.
• Increase time members spend together.
• Increase group status and admission difficulty.
• Stimulate competition with other groups.
• Give rewards to the group, not individuals.
• Physically isolate the group.
Group
Group Structure
Structure -- Composition
Composition
Group
Group Processes
Processes
Group
Group Tasks
Tasks
 Decision-making
– Large groups facilitate the pooling of information about
complex tasks.
– Smaller groups are better suited to coordinating and
facilitating the implementation of complex tasks.
– Simple, routine standardized tasks reduce the requirement
that group processes be effective in order for the group to
perform well.
Group
Group Decision
Decision Making
Making
 Strengths  Weaknesses
– More complete – More time
information consuming
– Increased diversity – Increased pressure
of views to conform
– Higher quality of – Domination by one
decisions or a few members
– Increased – Ambiguous
acceptance of responsibility
solutions
Group
Group Decision
Decision Making
Making (cont’d)
(cont’d)
Group
Group Decision-Making
Decision-Making Techniques
Techniques
Group
Group Influence
Influence on
on Deviant
Deviant Behavior
Behavior
– Group norms can influence the presence of deviant behavior

– Simply belonging to a group increases the likelihood of
deviance
– Being in a group allows individuals to hide – creates a false
sense of confidence that they won’t be caught
Group
Group Decision-making
Decision-making Techniques
Techniques
Made in interacting groups where members meet face-to-
face and rely on verbal and nonverbal communication.
Brainstorming
– An idea-generating process designed to overcome pressure
for conformity
Nominal Group Technique (NGT)
– Works by restricting discussion during the decision-making
process
– Members are physically present but operate independently
Electronic Meeting
– Uses computers to hold large meetings of up to 50 people
Evaluating
Evaluating Group
Group Effectiveness
Effectiveness
Type of Group
Brain-
Effectiveness Criteria Interacting Nominal Electronic
storming
Number and quality of ideas Low Moderate High High
Social Pressure High Low Moderate Low
Money Costs Low Low Low High
Speed Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate
Task Orientation Low High High High
Potential for Interpersonal
High Low Moderate Moderate
Conflict
Commitment to Solution High N/A Moderate Moderate
Development of Group
High High Moderate Low
Cohesiveness
An
An Alternative
Alternative Model
Model for
for Group
Group Formation
Formation
Temporary groups with deadlines don’t follow the five-
stage model
Punctuated-Equilibrium Model
– Temporary groups under deadlines go through transitions
between inertia and activity—at the halfway point, they
experience an increase in productivity.
– Sequence of Actions
1. Setting group direction
2. First phase of inertia
3. Half-way point transition
4. Major changes
5. Second phase of inertia
6. Accelerated activity
Global
Global Implications
Implications
 Status and Culture
– The importance of status varies with culture
– Managers must understand who and what holds status when
interacting with people from another culture
 Social Loafing
– Most often in Western (individualistic) cultures
 Group Diversity
– Increased diversity leads to increased conflict
– May cause early withdrawal and lowered morale
– If the initial difficulties are overcome, diverse groups may
perform better
– Surface diversity may increase openness

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Unit

Formal Groups Informal Groups

– Voluntary behavior that violates significant organizational norms and, in

– Group norms can influence the presence of deviant behavior

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