Group dynamics: the social science field of focusing on the nature
of groups: the factors governing their formation and
development, the elements of their structure, and their
interrelationships with individuals, other groups, and
organization.
What is a group? A collection of two or more interacting
individuals who maintain stable pattern of relationships, share
common goals, and perceive them as being a group. This
definition provides four characteristics of a group:
a) Social interaction: members of the group must have some
influence on one another, either verbally or nonverbally
b) Stability: while groups do change over time, there must be a
relatively stable structure
c) Common interest or goals: members must share common
interests or goals
d) Recognition as being a group: the people in the group must
recognize one another as members of their group and be
able to distinguish members from nonmembers
What types of group exist?
A) Formal groups: groups that are created by the organization,
intentionally designed to direct its members toward some
organizational goal.
1. Command group
2. Task group
B) Informal group: groups tend to develop naturally among
people without any direction from the organization within
which they operate. A key factor in the formation of
informal groups is a common interest shared by its members
1. Interest group
2. Friendship group
The structural dynamics of work groups
Group structure: the stable pattern of interrelationships between
individuals constituting a group; the guidelines of behavior that
make the group functioning orderly and predictable
There are four different aspects of group structure: the various
part played by group members (roles), the rules and expectation
that develop within groups (norms), the prestige of group
membership (statues), and the member’s sense of belonging
(cohesiveness)
a) Roles: the typical behavior that characterizes a person in a
specific social context
1. Task oriented role: the activities of an individual in a
group who, helps the group reach its goal
2. Socioemotional role: the activities of an individual in a
group who is supportive of other group members and
who helps them feel good
3. Self-oriented role: the activities of an individual in a
group who focuses on his or her own good, often at
the expense of others
b) Norms: a group’s unspoken rules. Norms are the generally
agreed upon informal rules that guide group member’s
behavior. These are not the formal and written
organizational rules they are informal social agreements on
how to properly behave in the group
c) Statues: the prestige of group membership. Statues are the
relative prestige, social position, or rank given to groups or
individuals by others. People with higher statues tend to be
more influential. Statues may be formal or informal
1. Formal statues: the prestige one has by virtue of his or
her official position in an organization. it is an attempt
to differentiate between the degrees of formal
authority given to employees by an organization
2. Informal statues: the prestige accorded individuals
with certain characteristics that are not formally
recognized by the organization
d) Cohesiveness: getting the team spirit. Cohesiveness is the
strength of the group member’s desires to remain a part of
the group. Also known as spirit de corps. Cohesive groups
have members that are attracted to one another, accept the
group’s goals, and help work toward meeting them. Group
cohesiveness is not always positive. When the group’s
norms are in conflict with those of the organization, highly
cohesive groups can have a negative impact on the
organization
Teams: special kinds of groups
Team: groups whose members have complementary skills and
are committed to a common purpose or set of performance
goals for which they hold themselves mutually accountable
Difference between team and group
1. Collective work products 2. Mutual accountability