CONCEPT OF GROUPS & CONFLICTS

CONCEPT OF GROUP

Different people tend to define group differently. Shaw has summarized

various definitions of groups into four categories.

a) First group is defined as consisting of individuals who perceive the

existence of a group and their membership in it.

b) Second group is defined on the basis of a common motivation or goal.

c) Third, this class of definitions looks to the structure of the group—the

relationships and ties among group members which bind them together into

a group.

d) Fourth, this definition perceives the central element of a group to be

interacting among its members.

Shaw defines group as 'two or more persons who are interacting with one another

in such a manner that each person influences and is influenced by each other.

Key Features of the Group

 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 any specific limit on the maximum number of persons in a group but the

size of the group will be determined by rules and regulations of the

organization in this context, or meaningful interaction among the members

in the case of informal groups.

 Collective Identity. Members of the group must be aware about their

membership of the group. Each member of the group must believe that he

is a member of, is a participant in, some specific group.

  Interaction. Members of the group interact among themselves. Interaction

means that each member shares his ideas with others through

communication 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.

 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 members together.

Group Classification

 Formal Group-A designated work group defined by the organization's

structure. In formal groups, the behaviors that one should engage in are

stipulated by and direct toward organizational goals. Eg.- The six

members making up an airline flight crew is an example of a formal

group. In contrast

 Informal group A group that is neither formally structured nor

organizationally determined; appears in response to the need for social

contact. Three employees from different departments who regularly eat

lunch together are an example of an informal group.

Stages of Group Development

Group Conflict

Group exist in every organization and they affect the behavior of their

members. They not only affect the behavior of their members, rather, they have

impact on other group and the organization as a whole. In this interaction

process, there may be two types of conflict:-

 Intragroup Conflict (within the group itself)

Stage1
 Intergroup Conflict (between groups). Stage2
Form
Intra-group Conflict
ing Storming
Intragroup conflict may arise in three situations: (i) when group faces a

novel problem of task; (it) where new values are imported from the social

environment into the group; and (iii) where a person's extra group role comes

into conflict with his intragroup role.

Intragroup conflict is visualized more when people come from different socio-

economic backgrounds and have different political & religious views. The

disagreement may be over ethics, the way power exercised, or moral

considerations of assumptions, justice, fairness and so on are interpreted. Such

differences may affect the choice of either goals or methods of ac goals.

Intergroup Conflict

Intergroup conflict arises out of the interaction of various groups. There are

many factors in the organization which determine the inter-group relationships.

The can influence relations between two or more groups. If these factors are

not positive they tend to create conflict among groups. These factors are-

• Goal Incompatibility

• Resource Sharing

• Task Relations

• Uncertainty Absorption, and Attitudinal set.

Goal Incompatibility-

The goals of two groups can have a powerful impact on their relationship. The

ideal state exists when each group perceive its goals as the goals of the

organization as a whole and the goals of other groups as compatible with one

another and mutually reinforcing.

Resource Sharing

The relations between two groups can be affected by the degree to which the

two groups draw from a common pool of resources, and the degree to which

this common pool of resources is adequate to meet the demands of both the

group. Thus, conflict of this nature arises because of the discrepancy between

aggregated demand and available resources. Each party to the conflict has an

interest to get total resources as large as possible.

The conflicts between management and labour union are quite common in

all types of organizations. Such conflicts take place on the quantum of

wages, amenities, working conditions, and other related matters.

Task Relationship

Collaboration occurs when two groups share joint responsibility for

certain tasks. A dependent task relationship exists between two groups if

one group is dependent upon the former for recourses. A dependent task

relationship may result in one group having the ability to dictate or

unilaterally determine the outcome of their interaction. The conflicts arise

in these relations if a group exceeds its authority.

For example, if staff departments influence in the decision-making process

well in excess of the advisory roles assigned to them, the conditions for

conflict exist.

Absorption of Uncertainty –

Since organizations are open systems, they and their elements — various

groups — face uncertainty. Uncertainty is the gap between what is known

and what needs to be known to make correct decisions. In order to manage

uncertainty, organizations assign certain groups or individuals to deal

with it. Thus a group may absorb uncertainty of other groups. The group

may make decisions: set premises for decision-making for other groups,

thereby avoiding the uncertain

For example, the accounting department may prescribe the rules for

traveling expenses: to be incurred by the marketing department. Thus, the

marketing department may be relieved of the uncertainty of how the

money should be spent on traveling, The conditions for conflicts exist if

uncertainty absorption by one group is not in accordant with the

expectations of other groups. For example, if marketing department finds

the rules framed by the accounting department inadequate or inefficient,

the condition! conflict exists.

Attitudinal Sets-

The sets of the attitudes that members of various groups hold towards

each other can be cause and a consequence of the nature of their relations

If the group relations begin with the attitudes of distrust, competitiveness,

seen and closed communications, there is a possibility of various factors of

group relationship being emphasized in a negative way, consequently

leading to conflicts.

The alternative case, the group relationship may be co-operative

characterized by mutual trust and respect, greater acceptance of

responsibility for mutual problems, greater consideration for others'

points of view, greater willingness to avoid blaming each other, more open

communication, and so on.