Module 2

Major Reference: Organization Behaviour , Stevene L

McShane

Additional reference
Organization Behaviour , K Aswthappa
Organization Behaviour , Stephen P. Robinson
Group

Two or more interacting people with a stable

pattern of relationship between them; who
share common goals and perceive themselves
as being a group.
2.1Team & Group
 All Teams are Groups , but not all groups are
teams . Some groups will not have any
necessary interdependence and
organizational objectives .
 How does the concept of group and team

differ ? Discuss
Team Vs Group
Criteria Groups Teams

Accountability Individual Shared & Individual

Skills Diverse Complementary

Performance Sum of individual outputs Collective &

Synergistic
Leadership Formal established Shared roles
2.2 Types of Groups

1. Formal Groups: Defined by organization’s

structure
 Created deliberately by the management in order
to perform assigned duties.
a. Command Group
b. Task Group
c. Committee
2. Informal Groups: Natural formation due to
common interests.
d. Interest/Friendship groups
e. Cliques
Reasons for Group Formation

A. From member’s point of view

1. Companionship
2. Identity
3. Information
4. Security
5. Esteem
6. Sense of belongingness
7. Outlet of frustration
8. Generation of new ideas
9. Job satisfaction
10. Power
B. Organization’s point of view
1. Lightening of responsibility
2. Information for the management
3. Restraining the manager from excessive use
of authority
4. Group leaders could be potential candidates
for future managerial positions
2.4 Group Cohesiveness
 The attractiveness of the members to the group
or resistance of the members from leaving it.
 Related with group productivity.
 Factors influencing group cohesion:

1. Member similarity
2. Group size
3. Members interaction
4. Entry difficulty
5. Group success
6. External competition and threat
Member Similarity :
Homogeneous Heterogeneous
Similar Background Members are diverse
Easy to achieve group Better in completing
Team Size
Objective complex task

Small Large
Usually more cohesive Less cohesive
Less cohesive when size Nature work demand
is too small more numbers
 Members Interaction
◦ When task is highly interdependent
◦ In same physical area

 Entry Level Difficulty

◦ More cohesive when entry is restricted
◦ Not easy to enter into the group
◦ Once ‘passed the test’- warm welcome
 Group Success
◦ Cohesiveness increase with group’s success
◦ Group leaders will improve cohesiveness by regular
communications
 External competitions n Challenges
More cohesiveness when face external challenge
Advantage and Disadvantage
Advantage:
 High morale, shared values and loyalty
 More effective communication
 Lower levels of anxiety
 Higher satisfaction
 Enhanced group performance

Disadvantage:
 Increases internal dynamics and pressure to achieve

goals.
 Group Conformity
 Groupthink