GROUP STRUCTURE
Group
Structure
Work
groups have an internal structure that shapes members’ behavior and makes it
possible to explain, predict, and influence a large portion of individual
behavior within the group as well as the performance of the group itself
Roles
•
A
role refers to behavior patterns expected of someone occupying a given position
in a social unit.
•
These
roles tend to be oriented toward either task accomplishments or toward
maintaining group member satisfaction
•
When
an individual is confronted by different role expectations, he/she experiences
role conflict
•
Role
Identity: there are certain attitudes and actual behaviors consistent with a
role, and they create the role identity
•
Role
perception: our view of how we are supposed to act in a given situation.
•
Role
expectations: how others believe you should act in a given situation.
•
Role
conflicts: when an individual is confronted with divergent role expectations
the result is role conflict
Norms
•
Norms
are standards or expectations that are accepted and shared by a group’s members
•
Norms
dictate factors such as work output levels, absenteeism, promptness, and the
amount of socializing allowed on the job
Status
Systems
•
Status
is a prestige grading, position, or rank within a group
•
All
organizations have at least two status structures.
•
Formal
system follows the hierarchical structure of the organization
•
informal system is one where the values and
norms of the group determine status of a particular member
Group
Size
•
Small
groups are faster at completing tasks than are larger ones
•
Social
loafing is the tendency for an individual to expand less effort when working
collectively than when working individually
•
Efficiency
will decline when individuals think that their contributions can’t be measured
Group
Cohesiveness
•
Cohesiveness
is the degree to which members are attracted to a group and share the group’s
goals
•
Highly
cohesive groups are more productive than are the less cohesive ones
Group
Processes
•
The
communication pattern used by members to exchange information, group decision
processes, power dynamics, conflict interactions
Group
Decision Making
•
Advantages
–
Generate
more complete information and knowledge
–
Generate
more diverse alternatives
–
Increase
acceptance of a solution
–
Increase
legitimacy
•
Disadvantages
–
Time
consuming
–
Minority
domination
–
Pressure
to conform
–
Ambiguous
responsibility
