Chapter 16 - Group
B-Com Part 2 Management Notes
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Chapter 16 - Group
* Group
* Group cohesiveness
Q.1. Define Group, why they are formed?
Group Defined
From times immemorial, man has lived in a social system (a large group), and the family (a small group) is an integral part of it. On this earth, there are groups, large or small, which influence our social system, social relations and communication.
Group exists in every organisation and they effect the behaviour of their members and also other groups. They have also impact on the whole organisation. If one wants to study and organisation, one will have to understand the groups existing in that organisation and their functioning. There are so many small groups existing in that organisation. Such groups are formed by the organisation by dividing its ultimate task into small tasks, which are assigned to various subunits known as departments, sections units etc. Besides there are many other groups, which are created automatically (may be called informal groups) because of the operation of socio-pychological factors at the work place.
The social process by which people interact fact to face in small groups in called group dynamics. Interaction in small groups is not always governed by rules, regulations and conventions though well established.
The word dynamics is originally a Greek word implying force. Thus, group dynamics means the study of forces operating within a group in social interaction. It concerns the interactions and forces between group's members in a social situation. When the concept of group dynamics of members of formal and informal groups in the organisation.
The term group dynamics has been interpreted in many ways. One view is that it deals with how the groups are formed and function. The other view is that groups dynamics is a state of techniques such as role playing, brain storming, leaderless groups, group dynamics, thus should be viewed in terms of the internal nature of groups, their information, structure and processes and the way they affect individual members, other groups and the organisation. This view is more prevalent.
Behaviour in Groups
Social variables influence the manner perception and judgement particularly in a group setting. Focus should be on the individual. But the group itself should be studied as a whole because the product of groups, interaction cannot be indicative of the performance of the individual outside the group. Both the composition and the behavioural history of a group are determinants of its stimuli for the individual members. The groups also determines the nature and patterns of reinforcement, the members receive in the course of their interaction with another. The group influences the behaviour of individuals in many ways such as in the form of conformity to group forms, group cohesiveness, group participation, group competition and group problem solving. These characteristics are found in both formal and informal groups.
Conformity to Group Norms
There are certain forms of the groups, which the group members are to follow: they are expected to behave in the same manner. This normative behaviour of the members helps the managers of the organisation to understand how and why an individual will behave in accordance with the group norms. Group norms perform two main functions.
First, norms help the group to achieve its goals: they bring uniformity of action towards the goals. Second, norms help the group maintain itself a group; these ensure that divisive forces in the group may be put under pressure against their behaviour.
People conform to group forms also for their own benefit. But the degree of conformity differs from member to member. Researches on this aspect of group's dynamics present the following conclusion.
1. The degree of conformity to group forms depends upon the status of the group and its members. Within a group, it has been observed that the higher the rank of a person, the more nearly his activities conform to group norms.
2. Seniority also influences the degree of the conformity. A new person may be expected to adhere more closely to norms than a senior person.
3. Pressure of conformity increases with the increase in the number of persons agreeing to the norms.
4. On applying rigid standards to evaluate the forms, non-conformity as likely to increase.
Group Cohesiveness
Group cohesiveness is a situation in which all members of the group together for a common goal, or where everyone is ready to take responsibility for group chores. The greater the group cohesiveness, the greater will be its influence on the behaviour of members. Group cohesion brings low absenteeism and high personal adjustments. Many factors bring cohesion in the group such as degree of dependency on the group, size of the group, homogeneity and stable membership, composition and outside pressure.
Participation
The effectiveness of the group is determined by the degree of participation of its members in its functioning. The more the participation, the more effective is it's functioning. Better participation results in high morale and better labor-management relationships, in addition to increased productivity.
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Q.2. What is group cohesiveness? Also describe the factors influencing cohesiveness.
Group Cohesiveness
The termcohesiveness implies solidarity. Group cohesiveness may be characterized by the situation in which all members of the group work together to achieve a common goal or where every one takes responsibility to work for the group goals. Groups cohesiveness may be described as the force, which keeps the members of the group together. The main aim of the groups is to satisfy its members needs. The more needs are satisfies, the more attractive it becomes for the members of the group. Cohesion is essential not only for the existence of the group but also for the achievement of the group's objective. If group cohesion is high, the interaction between members will high.
Cohesiveness has a direct bearing on group behaviour. The greater the group cohesiveness, the greater will be its influence on the member's behaviour. A cohesive group is able to act as one body to achieve its goals. In a cohesiveness group, group members are apt to conform to group norms. Conformity to group norms is essential for the effective functioning of the group. Thus, conformity and cohesiveness are interrelated and are reinforcing factors. According to Shaw, members of highly cohesive groups are more energetic in group activities, are less likely to be absent from group meetings and are happy when the group succeeds and sad when it fails, where as members are not dedicated to the group and its purposes their loyalty and support are mediocre or variable.
Factors Influencing Cohesiveness
There are several forces that bring cohesion in the group:
1. Degree of Dependency on the Group
Members join the group because it satisfies certain needs. The more highly dependent a person is on the group for his need satisfaction the greater will be the group attractiveness and consequently greater is its cohesiveness.
2. Size of the Group
Size of the affects interaction among group members in inverse direction and also affects group cohesiveness. The larger the group size, the lesser the cohesiveness, due to problems of interaction among members of the groups, lack of appreciation of each other's problem. Difficulty arises is achieving the common goals if the group. It is one of the reasons why informal group are smaller in size.
3. Homogeneity and Stable Membership
Groups whose members have diverse interests and different and also affects group cohesiveness. The larger the group size the lesser the cohesiveness due to problems of interaction among members of the group, lack of appreciation of each other's problems Difficulty arises in achieving the common goals if the group is large. Hence the entire group dynamics revolves round the small group. It is one of the reasons why informal group are smaller in size.
4. Inter and Intra Group Competition
Competition among groups (inter-group) and competition among members of the groups (intro-group) have different effects on group get united and the group sets solidified. The solidarity continues among members of the winning group whereas the losing group gets weakend. Success resulting from inter-group competition increases cohesion further. The member of the losing group, if they have no hope of revival of prestige of the group, gradually leaves the group.
The picture is different when competition is among the members within the group. If the rivalry is healthy, members stand to gain. But, generally, intra-group rivalry among members takes the form of jealousy that results in the weakening to group cohesiveness. There may be three possible causes of intra group competition:
* When members or sub-groups within the group adopt different methods to accomplish the same goal
* When there are differences regarding the goal or goals of the group among members
* When goals of individual members clash with group goals.
5. Outside Pressure
When there is outside pressure or threat to group survival, the group members sink all their differences and join hands together to meet the challenges to the group. Hence, outside pressure or threat is a cementing force and increase group cohesiveness.
6. Customs and Traditions
If members share the same customs and traditions, they become familiar with one another in no time and also they are benefited from one another knowledge and experience. This commonness prevents the entry of any other person who does not follow the same traditions. This develops a feeling among members that they are distinct from others. This increases interpersonal relationships among members.
7. Location
People who work at the same geographical location tend to be close to one another and have numerous opportunities to interact and exchange ideas, resulting in cohesiveness of the group. But groups are not cohesive when their members do not work within the same geographical limits.
Group Cohesiveness and Productivity
Group cohesiveness and productivity do not seem to be related. Highly cohesive groups need not necessarily be highly productive or vice versa. Researches also could not establish any relationship, positive or negative, between these two variables. However it has usually been observed that a cohesive group is more productive than a less cohesive group, the group's attitude favors the goals of the organisation. As the members of the group they follow the guidelines prepared by the group.
If the group supports the organizational goals, the members will tend to produce more. On the other hand, where cohesiveness is high but the group does not favor the organizational goals, productivity of the member's declines. Where the group norms are not supportive of performance, cohesive groups are less productive. When resistance to organizational changes is greater and where proper leadership is not provided, such groups can affect productivity severly. If management wishes to minimize productivity, it must build cohesiveness, which does not directly influence productivity but only indirectly depending upon the alignment of group goals with the organizational goals.
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