GROUP INFLUENCES
DEFINITION
According to Stephen Robbins,” A group may be defined as two
or more individuals interacting and interdependent who
have come together to achieve particular objectives’
According to Edgar.H.Schien “ A group may be defined as a
social phenomenon in which two or more persons decide to
interact with one another ,share common ideology and
perceive themselves as a group.
NATURE
OF
GROUP
1)Two or More persons:
To form a group there should be at least two persons because a single
individual cannot interact. However there cannot be may any specific limit on
the maximum number of persons in a group but the size of the group will be
determined by rules and regulation of the organization .
2) Collective identity:
Members of the group must be aware about the membership of the group.
Each member of the group must believe that he is a member of , is a participant
in, some specific groups. It is the awareness of each other that most clearly
differentiates a group from an aggregation of individuals. In the case of
aggregation of individuals , they are ordinarily not aware of one another or, if
aware, do not interact with each other in a meaningful way
NATURE OF GROUP
3)Interaction:
Members of the group interact among themselves. Interaction means that each
member shares his ideas with others through communications and this
communication can take place face to face in writing, over the telephone,
across a computer network, or in any other manner which allows
communication among group members. However, it is not necessary for all
members of the group to interact simultaneously, but each member must
interact at least occasionally with one or more members of the group
4) Shared Goal Interest:
Members of the group should subscribe to the attainment of some common
objectives. However, it is not necessary that each member subscribes to or
agrees with all the objectives of the group. If a group has a variety of
objectives or interests, each member of the group must share at least one of
the group’s concerns. The shared goal interest binds the group member
together
Types of Groups
Formal Groups
1. Command Groups
2. Task Groups
Informal Groups
1. Friendship Groups
2. Interest Groups
1. Small and Large
Groups
2. Primary and Secondary
Groups
3. Membership and
Reference Groups
4. Temporary and
Permanent Groups
5. Nominal and NonPerforming Groups
Defining and Classifying Groups
Group(s)
Two or more individuals interacting and interdependent,
who have come together to achieve particular
objectives.
Formal Group
Informal Group
A designated work group
defined by the organization’s
structure.
A group that is neither formally
structured now organizationally
determined; appears in response to
the need for social contact.
Defining and Classifying Groups (cont’d)
Command Group
Task Group
A group composed of the
individuals who report directly
to a given manager.
Those working together to
complete a job or task.
Ex: Production Mgr and his
Subordinates
Interest Group
Friendship Group
Interest Groups are composed
of individuals who may not be
members of the same
organisation but they are united
by their interest.
Those brought together because
they share one or more common
characteristics.
Ex: Group of Professors who organise seminar on
Law and Order
Defining and Classifying Groups (cont’d)
Small Group
Large Group
One a few members
Members is very high
Face to Face Communication is
possible
Personal Interaction is not
Possible
Membership Group
Reference Group
Membership groups are ones to
which the individual actually
belongs
Is the one which an individually
identifies or to which he likes to
belong, it can be an imaginary
group
Defining and Classifying Groups (cont’d)
Primary Groups
Secondary Groups:
It is made of members who
have similar and loyalties and
has a feeling of friendship
towards each other
They share values and beliefs but
they do not interact often each
other
Ex: Peer Group and Family
Ex: Occupational Association
Temporary Groups
Permanent Groups
Groups are formed for
achieving certain objective
They have group activities, group
performance and job assignments
Ex: Committees and Meetings
Ex: Trade Union and Business
Association
Defining and Classifying Groups (cont’d)
Nominal Groups
Presented with problems to be
solved
Members share their ideas in a
structured format
Non-performing Groups
Only on Paper
Difference between Formal Group and Informal Group
Basis of Difference
Formal Group
Informal Group
Formation
Well Planned
Unplanned
Objective
To achieve predetermined
objective
It has no predetermined
objective
Structure
It has an official hierarchy
Its structure is based on human
emotions and sentiments
Authority
Institutional
Informal Influence
Leadership
The managers who have
authority provide leadership
Informal leadership is not
appointed but chosen by the
group
Human Relations
Do not take care of human
sentiments
Reflects human aspect
Flexibility
Rigid Structure
Loosely Structured
Stability
Usually Stable
May dissolve due to internal or
external changes
Why People Join Groups
•Personal Attraction
• Safety & Security
•Status & Self esteem
•Opportunity for Interaction
•Group Goal
•Power
Reasons for Joining Group
Groups come into being for a number of reasons, which are as follows:
1)Personal Attraction:
Even in formal group settings when people are required to work together, the
strength and cohesion of the group will be determined by the extent that
individuals find other members attractive
2) Safety and Security:
Groups enable individuals to develop their belonging needs. Apart from the
need to feel “loved, the group meets security needs as individuals feel
protected by the group.
3) Status and Self esteem:
Groups often develop a sense of worth and status that confers greater self
esteem on members. These feelings are enhanced if membership is perceived
to be exclusive or difficult
4) Opportunity for Interaction:
Having opportunities to interact with and take part in group activities is
essential if people are to develop the sense of affiliation with others.
Reasons for Joining Group
Groups come into being for a number of reasons, which are as follows:
5) Group Goal:
Sharing a set of common objectives is important to building the sense of
common purpose and the norms required for the maintenance of a sense of
identity and the way the group differentiates itself
6) Power:
Groups can exert more power when dealing with non group members than
the collection of individuals would be able to achieve. For eg: trade union
membership provides an opportunity for the employee group to both protect
and promote employee interests.
Stages of Group Development
Five stage model of group formation
Stage II
Storming
Stage I
Forming
Members
get to know
each other &
set ground
rules
Members
come to
Resist
Control by
group
Leaders &
Show
hostility
Stage III
Norming
Members
Work
Together
developing
Close
Relationships
& feelings of
Cohesiveness
Stage IV
Performing
Group
members
work
towards
Getting
their jobs
done
Stage V
Adjourning
Group
may
disband
either
after
meeting
their goals
or because
members
Leave
The Five-Stage Model of Group Development
Forming Stage
The first stage in group development, The forming stage represents
a time where the group is just starting to come together and is
characterized with anxiety and uncertainty.
Storming Stage
The second stage in group development, is where conflict and competition are
at its greatest. Issues related to the group's tasks, individual roles and
responsibilities or even with the group members themselves are discussed.
Norming Stage
The third stage in group development,
characterized by close relationships
and cohesiveness. Leadership is
shared, and members are willing to
adapt to the needs of the group.
…Group Development (cont’d)
Performing Stage
The fourth stage in group development, when the group is fully
functional. The team has a shared vision and is able to stand on its
own feet with no interference or participation from the leader.
The team has a high degree of autonomy.
Adjourning Stage
The final stage in group development is
Adjourning – It is the break-up of the
group, hopefully when the task is
completed successfully, its purpose
fulfilled; everyone can move on to new
things, feeling good about what's been
achieved.
DEFINITION OF GROUP EFFECTIVENESS
 Team effectiveness (also referred to as group
effectiveness) is the capacity a team has to accomplish the
goals or objectives administered by an authorized personnel
or the organization.
MODEL OF GROUP EFFECTIVENESS
Group effectiveness is influenced by multiple factors. A simplified model of
group effectiveness has been conceptualized in terms of input, processes and
outcomes.
In input variables, the model included organizational context –
environment,structure,layout,technology,incentive system:
Nature of task – task complexity, procedure and group member resources –
skills and abilities, work values, number of members.
Similarly, process variables included cohesiveness, norms,roles,decision
making,synergy,social facilitation etc.
At outcome level the model includes quality, quantity timeliness of performance,
group morale and members satisfaction.
MODEL OF GROUP EFFECTIVENESS
Based on various researchers following suggestions are made to improve group
effectiveness
1) Groups exist within larger organizational context, Organizational structure,
strategy, authority relationships, selection procedure, motivational structure,
organizational layout and workflow etc will influence group productivity. Where
organizational climate is supportive, resources are abundant and company
follows meritocracy, group is likely to perform well. Managers should therefore
look the group performance in context and try to provide supportive context.
2) Keep the groups smaller generally having five or seven members perform better
performance due to better adherence to group norms and cohesiveness. Smaller
groups also more satisfied members.
3) In order to collaborative norms organization should reward group performance
rather than individual performance
4) Complex tasks requires more focused interaction as compare to simple tasks.
Thus group will require more frequent an d more intense interaction for solving
complex problems.
5) Group members if having requisite skills to tackle the problem, group's
effectiveness will be high
6) If group’s goals are aligned with organizational goals and cohesiveness is
high,
MODEL OF GROUP EFFECTIVENESS
group performance will be high. Thus managers need to encourage groups to internalize
organizational goals.
7) Groups must use decisions techniques that minimizes the possibility of group think.
8) Managers need to encourage shared leadership concept where members can
interchange the task and groups building roles. Self oriented behavior should be
minimized.
9) To minimize social loafing develop task structure, specialized roles, and some
measure to assess individual contribution to group achievement.
10) When the task is interdependent use effective communication and minimize
conflict to enhance high productivity.
11) Groups within an organization should not pitted against each other to compete for
scarce resources, instead emphasis should be on pooling and sharing of resources
and work for super ordinate goals of organization
12) Educate and train group members in group process and group dynamics.
Model of Group Effectiveness
Inputs
Outcomes
Organizational Context
1)
Work environment,
Setting , Layout
2) Workflow Arrangement
Processes
3) Group Size
4) Incentives
Nature of Task
1)Task Complexity
2) Procedure
Members Resources
1) Skills, abilities,
Experience
2) Work Values
3) Number of Members
1)Cohesiveness
2) Norms
3) Rules
4) Decision Making
5) Synergy and
6) Social Facilitation
Group
Effectiveness
Task
Performance
1) Quality
2) Quantity
3) Creativity
4) Timeliness
5) Group Morale
6) Member
Satisfaction
Group Processes
Group process refers to how an organization's members work together to
get things done. Typically, organizations spend a great deal of time and energy
setting and striving to reach goals, but give little consideration to what is
happening between and to the group's greatest resource - its members.
The Major group processes are as follows:
1) Group Norms:
A norm is a rule of conduct that has been established by group members to
maintain consistency in behavior. This tells the individual how to behave in
a particular group. When agreed to and accepted by the group, norms act as a
means of influencing the behavior of group members with a minimum of
external controls. Norms differ among groups, communities and societies but
they all have them. They are set of beliefs, feelings and attitudes commonly
shard by group members. These are also referred to as rules or standards of
behavior that apply to group members. All groups have established norms, that
is, acceptable standards of behavior that are shared by the group’s members.
2) Group Cohesiveness:
Cohesiveness is a measure of the attraction of the group to its members
(and the resistance to leaving it), the sense of team spirit and the willingness
Group Processes
of its members to coordinate their efforts. Compared with members of a low
cohesive group, those in high cohesive group will therefore be keen to attend
meetings, be satisfied with the group use, be cooperative and friendly with each
other and be more effective in achieving the aims they set for themselves. The
low cohesive group will be marked by absenteeism, the growth of cliques and
factions and a sense of frustration at the lack of attainment.
3) Decision Making:
Decision-making is an act of choice wherein an individual or a group selects
a particular course of action form the available alternatives in a given
situation. Decision making is at the core of managerial planning. It involves
establishing goals, defining tasks, searching for alternatives and choice of the
best alternative. In an organization, decision making may be carried out by
both individuals and groups. In modern organization facing the environmental
uncertainties, group decision making has become almost indispensable.
Importance of Group
1)Performs Complex Task:
Groups can be a means of working on a complex and independent tasks that
are too complex for an individual to perform and that cannot be easily broken
down into independent tasks
2) Generate New ideas:
Groups can be a means of generating new ideas or creative solutions to solve
problems that require inputs from a number of people. The multi various
skills required for the performance of a complex and difficult job is available
within a group.
3) Serves as a Liaison:
Groups can serve as liaison or coordinating functions among several workgroups
whose work is to some extent interdependent.
4) Facilitates Complex Decision Making:
Groups can be used to facilitate the implementation of complex decisions. A
group composed of representatives from various working groups can
coordinated activities of these interrelated groups. In a large organization
there will be number of problems, conflicting views etc for decision making.
Importance of Group
One needs a vehicle to air these views after due consideration. Only a powerful
group can provide this as “Union is Strength”
5) Serves as Problem Solving Mechanism:
Groups can serve as problem solving mechanism when problem requires the
processing of complex information, interaction among members with
different information and critical assessment of possible alternative solutions.
6) Serves as Vehicle of Socialization:
Groups can be used as a vehicle of socialization and training. By bringing
several people together into training situations, a common message can be
imparted a common group perspective is developed.
7) Acts as a Agent:
In order to share the common values and beliefs of the organization to
the new employees the group cab be highly useful. The group educates the
new employees will be more powerful and effective than by the authority of
management.