Group Dynamics
BA 320 Operations Management
Overview
• Define “groups”
• Distinguish between formal and informal
groups
• Reasons people join groups
• Four stages of group development
• Specify group tasks and maintenance
functions
BA 320 Operations Management
Formation of groups
A group is more than two persons who interact with
each other in such a manner that the behavior or
performance of one is influenced by the behavior of
the others.
BA 320 Operations Management
Two group types
• Formal groups (task oriented)
• Informal groups (social oriented)
BA 320 Operations Management
Reasons for group formation
•
•
•
•
•
•
SECURITY
SOCIAL
ESTEEM
PROXIMITY
ATTRACTION
ORDERED TO
BA 320 Operations Management
Four stages of group
development
•
•
•
•
Form stage
Storm stage
Norm stage
Perform stage
BA 320 Operations Management
Form stage
• First stage – behavior of group members can be
described as :
• DEPENDENT ON DIRECTION
• MEMBERS ARE POLITE
• INTRODUCTION AND SHARING OF
INFORMATION
• STEROTYPING INDIVIDUALS BASED ON FIRST
IMPRESSIONS
• CONVERSATIONS ARE ABOUT SAFE
ACCEPTABLE TOPICS
• AVOID DISCLOSURE, FEEDBACK, AND
INTERPRETING NON-VERBALS
BA 320 Operations Management
Storm stage
• Second stage – behavior of the group can be
characterized as:
• COUNTER-DEPENDENT: EACH GROUP
MEMBER STRONGLY FEELS THE NEED TO
TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF/HERSELF DURING
THIS STAGE
• BID FOR POWER
• COMPETITIVE
• RATIONALIZATION
• CLOSE-MINDED
• CONFLICT/HOSTILITY
• CLIQUES ARE FORMED
BA 320 Operations Management
Storm stage - continued
• UNEXPRESSED INDIVIDUAL NEEDS
• CREATIVITY SUPPRESSED
• TRY TO REACH RESOLUTION BY VOTE,
COMPROMISE, OR ARBITRATION
BA 320 Operations Management
Norm stage
• Third stage – behavior of the group can be characterized
as:
• INDEPENDENT AND CONSTRUCTIVE
• REAL LISTENING TAKES PLACE
• ATTEMPTS TO GAIN AND MAINTAIN CONTROL
LESSEN
• PROGRESS TOWARD OBJECTIVES
• CREATIVITY BEGINS
• ROLES IDENTIFIED
• THE LEADER MAY BECOME SOMEWHAT LESS
IDENTIFIABLE OR NECESSARY TO THE GROUP
BA 320 Operations Management
Perform stage
• Fourth stage – behavior of the group can be
characterized as:
• INDEPENDENT
• HIGH GROUP MORALE AND ESPRIT
• INTENSE GROUP LOYALTY
• INDIVIDUAL CREATIVITY IS ENCOURAGED
• DISAGREEMENT IS OK
• NO CLIQUES
• GROUP ADOPTS AN IDENTIFICATION SYMBOL
BA 320 Operations Management
Adjourn stage
• Fifth stage – behavior of the group can be characterized
as:
• LESS TASK ABILITY
• REGRESSION TO LESS PRODUCTIVE
BEHAVIOR
• SEPARATION, GRIEVING BEHAVIORS
• RE-DEFINITION
• TERMINATION OR MINI-DEATH
BA 320 Operations Management
Relationship of team maturity and
performance
PERFORMANCE
Possible
Failure
Possible
Failure
FORM
STORM
Immature
Inefficient
Ineffective
Possible
Failure
NORM PERFORM ADJOURN
Mature
Efficient
Effective
BA 320 Operations Management
Stages of team development and
associated management challenges
FORMING
(Orientation)
STORMING
(Internal problem
solving)
NORMING
(Growth and
productivity)
PERFORMING
(Evaluation
and control)
1. Establish structure, rules, communication networks
2. Clarify relations and interdependencies among members
3. Identify leader roles, clarify responsibility and authority
4. Develop plans for goals accomplishment.
1. Identify and resolve interpersonal conflict.
2. Further clarify rules, goals, and structural relationships
3. Develop participate climate among group members
1. Direct group activity toward goal accomplishment.
2. Develop data-flow & feedback systems for task performance.
3. Promote more cohesion among group members
1. Leader role emphasis on facilitation, feedback, and evaluation.
2. Renewal, revision, and strengthening of roles and group
interdependencies.
3. Show of strong motivation toward goal accomplishment
BA 320 Operations Management
Summary
• IDENTIFY THE WORKING DEFINITION
OF A GROUP
• IDENTIFY FORMAL AND INFORMAL
GROUPS
• IDENTIFY THE REASONS PEOPLE JOIN
GROUPS
• DESCRIBE THE FOUR STAGES OF
GROUP DEVELOPMENT
BA 320 Operations Management