Group
Behaviour - Introduction
A group can be defined as two or more
interacting and interdependent individuals who come together to achieve
particular objectives. A group behavior can be stated as a course of action a
group takes as a family. For example: Strike.
Types
of Groups
There are two types of groups an individual
form. They are formal groups and informal groups. Let us know about these two
groups.
Formal Groups
These are the type of work groups
created by the organization and have designated work assignments and rooted
tasks. The behavior of such groups is directed toward achieving organizational
goals.
These can be further classified into two
sub-groups
·
Command
group − It is a
group consisting of individuals who report directly to the manager.
· Interest
group − It is a
group formed by individuals working together to achieve a specific
objective. Example − A group of workers working on a project
and reporting to the same manager is considered as a command group. A group of
friends chilling out together is considered as interest group or say members of
a club.
Informal Groups
These groups are formed with friendships
and common interests. These can be further classified into two sub-groups −
·
Task
group − Those
working together to finish a job or task is known as task group.
· Friendship group −
Those brought together because of their shared interests or common
characteristics is known as friendship group.
Types
of Groups:
1. Formal Groups:
Formal groups
are created as part of organisation structure to accomplish organisational
tasks. A work group in a plant is the example of formal group. They are bound
by hierarchical authority in the organisation. They have to follow rules,
regulation and policy of the organisation. These groups are required by the
system. The organisation provides a system of rules and regulation for
attaining organisational objectives.
According to
A.L. Stencombe, “a formal group is said to be any social arrangement in which
the activities of some persons are planned by others to achieve a common
purpose”.
Formal groups
help in achieving goals without any difficulty. They facilitate coordination of
activities and help in forming logical relationship among people and positions.
They create group unity. Leonard R Sayles has subdivided formal group into
command group and task group.
2. Informal Groups:
Informal
groups exist within the formal organisations and arise because of individuals’
social needs and desire to develop and maintain relations with people. Working
at a plant or office leads to formation of informal groups. They work together
and this leads to their interaction. Through interaction groups are formed.
These groups are spontaneous and emotional. Keith Davis has defined informal
group as, “the network of persons and social relations which is not established
or required for formal organisation.”
According to
purposes groups can be classified into the following:
Vocational Groups:
Association of
the same vocation e.g.: Class I officers association, teacher’s association
etc.
Instructional
Groups:
The people who
have enrolled themselves for the same course e.g., students doing M. Tech in
the same subject
Government Group:
Association
formed for the governing e.g., municipal council, management board.
Religious Group:
People
belonging to same religion coming together and forming a group.
Recreational Group:
Group formed
with a purpose of recreation e.g., football club, cricket club etc…
Reasons
for Group:
Man is a social animal and he lives in
groups, he moves in groups. So, group is inherent to human beings.
Following are the few reasons why group is
essential:
1. Management of modern organisations is
making concerted efforts to introduce industrial democracy at workplace. They
are using task force, project teams, work committees where workers get due
representation. They participate very often in decision-making. This takes
place in groups.
2. The tasks
in modern industries are becoming more complex, tedious and monotonous. To
change these conditions and make the environment at workplace more lively, work
committees and work groups and teams are formed to monitor the work and change.
3. To make
participative management more effective and relieve executives of petty
responsibilities employees are given these responsibilities to carry on
successfully and effectively. Group of employees are also given joint
responsibility to carry on the work.
4. Groups of
all kinds and types are used by inviting their cooperation in all matters
related to production as well as with human relations to make the organisation
effective.
5. There are
several works which an individual cannot perform. To complete such tasks, group
efforts are required for its completion, e.g. building of a ship, making of a
movie, construction of a fly-over, a complex etc.
All these
require coordinated and unified efforts of many individuals i.e. groups. A
group can do the work which cannot be performed by an individual or beyond his
capabilities.
6. A group can
make better judgment as compared to an individual.
7. While
accomplishing tasks group can use creative instinct and innovative ideas than a
single individual.
8. When group
is working, all the benefits of division of labour accrue.
9. Individuals
in a group communicate with each other and discuss work performance and
suggestions to make it better and excellent.
10. Group
efforts substantially affect individual, his attitude and behaviour.
11. Group has
the ability to satisfy the needs of its members. In a group an individual
member feels secured and he can directly get technical and work-related
assistance. They also get special support when they are emotionally depressed.
Why Do
People Join Group
There is no particular reason answering
why individuals join groups. Group helps individual to feel stronger, have
fewer self-doubts, and be more contrary to threats.
The following points help us understand
the need of joining a group by individuals −
·
Security
mirrors strength in numbers.
Status pinpoints a prestige that comes from belonging to a specific group.
Inclusion in a group is considered as important because it provides recognition
and status.
·
Self-esteem
transmits people's feelings of self-worth. Membership can sometimes raise feelings of self-esteem
like being accepted into a highly valued group.
·
Affiliation
with groups can meet one's social needs. Work groups significantly contribute to meet the need for
friendships and social relations.
· Groups
represent power. What
mostly cannot be achieved individually becomes possible with group effort.
Power might be aimed to protect themselves from unreasonable demands. Informal
groups provide options for individuals to practice power.
· People may join a group for goal
achievement. Sometimes it takes more than one person to
accomplish a particular task.
Group
Roles
The concept of roles is applicable to
all employees within an organization as well as to their life outside the
organization. A role is a set of expected behavior patterns attributed to the
one who occupies the position demanded by the social unit.
Individuals play multiple roles at the
same time. Employees attempt to understand what kind of behavior is expected
from them. An individual when presented by divergent role expectations
experiences role conflict. Group roles are divided into three types −
·
Task-oriented Roles
·
Relationship-oriented Roles
·
Individual Roles
1. Task-oriented Roles
Roles allotted to individuals according
to their work and eligibility is known as task-oriented roles. Task-oriented
roles can broadly divide individuals into six categories initiator, informer,
clarifier, summarizer, reality tester and information seekers or providers
respectively.
·
Initiator − The one who proposes, suggests,
defines.
·
Informer − The one who offers facts,
expresses feelings, gives opinions.
·
Clarifier − The one who interprets, defines,
clarifies everything.
·
Summarizer − The one who links, restates,
concludes, summarizes.
·
Reality
Tester − The one
who provides critical analysis.
·
Information
seekers or providers −
The one who gives information and data.
These roles present the work performed
by different individuals according to their marked designation.
2.Relationship-oriented Roles
Roles that group individuals according
to their efforts made to maintain healthy relationship in the group and achieve
the goals are known as relationship-oriented roles. There are five categories
of individuals in this category namely: harmonizer, gatekeeper, consensus
tester, encourager, and compromiser.
·
Harmonizers − The one who limits tension and
reconciles disagreements.
·
Gatekeeper − The one who ensures
participation by all.
·
Consensus
Tester − The one
who analyzes the decision-making process.
·
Encourager − The one who is warm, responsive,
active, shows acceptance.
·
Compromiser − The one who admits error, limits
conflict.
These roles depict the various roles an
individual plays to maintain healthy self as well as group relationships.
3.Individual Roles
Roles that classify a person according
to the measure of individual effort put in the project aimed is known as
individual roles. Five types of individuals fall into these roles: aggressor,
blocker, dominator, cavalier, and avoidance.
·
Aggressor − The one who devalues others,
attacks ideas.
·
Blocker − The one who disagrees and rebels
beyond reason.
·
Dominator − The one who insists superiority
to manipulate.
·
Cavalier − The one who takes part in a
group non-productively.
·
Avoidance − The one who shows special
interest to avoid task.
These are the various roles a person
plays in an organization.
Well-Functioning
Groups
We know what a group is, why it is
important to form a group, and what the group-oriented roles are. Now we need
to know how to mark a group as a well-functioning group, what features are
necessary for a group to mark it as efficient.
A group is considered effective when it
has the following characteristics.
·
Relaxed, comfortable, friendly atmosphere.
·
Task to be executed are well understood and
accepted.
·
Members listen well and actively participate in
given assignments.
·
Assignments are made clear and are accepted.
·
Group is acquainted of its operation and
function.
·
People express their feelings and ideas openly.
·
Consensus decision-making process is followed.
·
Conflict and disagreement centre regarding
ideas or method.
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