GROUP PROCESSES:

COMMUNICATION, RESPONSIBILITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, RESPECT AND

EVALUATION

GROUP
- It is the central to all of organizational behavior and it is also serve as an intermediary between
individuals and the organization.

THE GROUP AS A SYSTEM

A system is characterized as being complex with interdependent parts; often, consisting of inputs,
transformation, outputs, feedbacks and boundaries; in balance, resulting from positive and
negative feedbacks; and having a multiplicity of purposes and objectives.

WHY AND HOW GROUPS ARE FORMED

When a group formed through and by the structure is called a FORMAL GROUP.
When a group formed within the structure but without official sanction of the organization is an
INFORMAL GROUP.
When a groyp formed for purely social reason is a SOCIAL GROUP.

Grouping from a Structural Design Viewpoint

The formal group primarily in structural contexts exists to achieve organizational goals and is,
therefore, established, maintained and supported by the organization.
The formal group exists because of the demand of the organization.

Groups from a Work-Flow Perspective

Informal groups tend to be formed automatically, on account of people interacting at work,
Infornal groups, which are not sponsored, recognized or even approved by the formal organization
exists primarily to expedite and improve the flow process of information and communication.

Groups from Human Perspective

Groups may be formed because they meet certain personal needs, in addition to being formed
because of organizational demands or the requirements of the work flow process. Since many of
the personal needs cannot be satisfied by the individual alone, they are sought to be satisfied by
and with others, usually in groups. The group can help the individual meet his or her highest self-
actualization needs.

THE INTERNAL OPERATION OF GROUPS

Group Leadership- Leadership is not a function or trait of a single individual but is distributed
through the entire group.

Group History- The historical background of a group determines the way in which the members
interact with their jobs.

Four Stage of Group Process

1. Forming - In this Initial stage, the group is oncerned with orientation, which is ac omplished
primarily through testing the boundaries of both interpersonal and task behaviors, determining the
relarionship with the leader.
2. Storming - This secondsecond stage is characterized bystage pilarization and conflict about
both interpersonal and task requirements.
3. Norming - In the third stage, resistànce is overcome, intergroup cohesiveness develops,
standards had evolved and roles become more firmly established.
4. Performing - In the final stage, the group is ready to settle down to accomplish its task.

Group Norm and Behavior

Over a period of time a group tends to develop a life history and culture of its own.
Simultaneously, members of the group tend either to develop roughly the same attitudes and
values or standard against which the appropriateness of the members behavior can be judged.

Behavior Options
A group member has several behavior options.
1. Rebellion, wherein the individual rejects all of the group values and norms.
2. Creative individualism - The individual accepts only pivotal norms and rejects some or all of
the relevants one.
3. Conformity - The groyp member accepts all of the group valuesgroup and norms

Norms may be classified into four dimensions, namely;

1. Affective relationships deal with the personality or impersonality of the relationship.
2. Control, decision-making and authority relationships dela with the equality or unequality of
power.
3. Status acceptance relationship deal with the uniqueness or the position of the individuals.
4. Achievement success relationship deal with the matter of prestige and rank.

Group Cohesion
The term cohesion means "Solidarity" or "Unity". Cohesiveness affects to degree to which the
groyp can be helpful or harmful to the organization as a total system.

Factors Affecting Cohesiveness

Solidarity or cohesion is affected by:

1. The Homogeneity of the group- Whenever the group's members have widely different values or
statuses, they will experience the difficulty of becoming a cohesive unit.
2. Isolation- The more a group is isolated from other groups, the more likely the members will
share common values and standards of behavior.
3. Outside Pressure- Reacting to outside pressure is one of the fastest ways a group can develop
strong solidarity.
4. Size- The size of a group affects its cohesiveness. If a groyp is too small, there may not be
enough skill within the group to perform the task, If the groyp is too large, communication within
the groups may break down, and group members may not find enough oppurtunity to satisfy their
own needs.
5. Atmosphere or climate- Another variable affecting groyp cohesion is the atmosphere or climate
both within and outside the group.

IMPORTANCE OF GROUP COHESION AND SOLIDARITY

The more cohesive the group is, the greater the possibility that its members will develop similar
attitudes, values and behavior patterns. The more highly cohesive a group is, the chance that the
members can influence other members to change their behavior becomes greater.

GROUP TASK, BUILDING, AND MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES

The purpose of a group is to perform a task and to accomplish specific objectives.
The following are the different approaches to describe group process:

1. Group task activities - Refer to initiating, clarifying, coordinating or orienting the group to its
goal, giving and seeking information, and establishing contact with the outside community which
all help the group attain iys primary goals and objectives.
2. Group-building activities - Group building activities allow the group to build and maintain itself
by helping to satisfy members needs and fostering trust and coopetation among group members.
3. Self-serving activities - Attention getting, dominating, aggreasion, and withdrawal help each
member to his or her own set of unique needs, values and goals.