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Human
Resource Development (HRM-627)
VU
Lesson
16
UNDERSTANDING
GROUP BEHAVIOR
The
behavior of a group is not
merely the sum total of the
behaviors of all the individuals in a
group. Why?
Because
individuals act differently in
groups than they do when they are
alone. Therefore, if we want to
understand
organizational behavior more fully, we
need to study groups.
WHAT
IS A GROUP?
A
group is defined as two or
more interacting and interdependent
individuals who come together to
achieve
particular
goals. Formal groups are
work groups established by the
organization that have designated
work
assignments
and specific tasks. In
formal groups, appropriate behaviors
are established by and
directed toward
organizational
goals.
In
contrast, informal groups
are social. These groups
occur naturally in the workplace in response to the
need
for
social contact. Informal
groups tend to form around friendships
and common interests.
Stages
of Group Development
Group
development is a dynamic process and
following is a brief description of its
five stages:
Forming:
The
first stage of group development in
which people join the group
and then define the
group's
purpose,
structure, and
leadership.
Storming:
The
second stage of group development,
which is characterized by intragroup
conflict.
Norming:
The
third stage of group development,
which is characterized by close
relationships and
cohesiveness.
Performing:
The
fourth stage of group development in
which the group is fully functional
and performs.
Adjourning:
The
final stage for group
development for temporary groups during
which group members
are
concerned
with wrapping up activities rather than task
performance.
Basic
Group Concepts
Role:
A role
is a set of behavior patterns
expected of someone occupying a given
position in a social
unit.
Norm:
Norm
is an acceptable standard or expectation
shared by group
members.
Status:
Status
means a prestige grading,
position, or rank within a
group.
Group
Size: Does
the group size affect the group's
overall behavior? The answer
is a definite yes, but
the
affect
depends on the outcomes on which
one is focusing. For
instance, small groups are
faster at completing
tasks
than the large groups.
However, if the group is engaged in
problem solving, larger groups
consistently get
better
results.
A
Free Rider Tendency: A
group phenomenon in which members
reduce their individual
efforts and
contribution
as the group size
increases.
Group
Cohesiveness: The
degree to which group
members are attracted to one
and another and share
the
group
goals.
Conflict:
Perceived
incompatible differences that result in
interference or opposition.
Conflicts
are of the following
types:
1.
traditional conflicts
2.
human relations conflict
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Human
Resource Development (HRM-627)
VU
3.
interactionist
view of conflict
4.
functional
conflicts
5.
dysfunctional
conflicts
6.
task
conflicts
7.
relationship
conflict
8.
process
conflict
Advantages
of Group Decision Making
1.
provide more complete
information
2.
generate more
alternatives
3.
increase acceptance of a
solution
4.
increased legitimacy
Disadvantage
of Group Decision Making
1.
they are time consuming
2.
minority domination
3.
pressure to conform
4.
ambiguous responsibility
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