HBO GROUP DYNAMICS & WORK TEAMS

group

is two or more individuals interacting with each other to accomplish a common goal

teams

Group of individuals with complementary skills that share a common purpose, responsibility, and accountability for achieving performance goals.

formal groups

A group formed by management to accomplish the goals of the organization.

informal group

A group formed by individuals and developed around common interests and friendships rtaher than around an organizational goal.

command group and task group

types of formal groups

command group

A group of subordinates who report to one particular manager; is specified by the formal organization chart.

task group

A group of individuals who are working as a unit to complete a project or job task.

interest group and friendship group

types of informal groups

interest group

A group that forms because of some special topic of interest. Generally,

when the interest declines or a goal has been achieved, the group disbands.

friendship group

An informal group that is established in the workplace because of some common characteristic of its members and that may extend the interaction of its members to include activities outside the work place.

proximity, attraction, goal, economic benefit, need satisfaction

5 Reasons Why People Form Groups

proximity

involves the physical distance between employees performing a job.

esteem needs

may be partially met by belonging to a high-status or prestige group in which membership is difficult to obtain.

attraction

designates the attraction of people to each other because of perceptual, attitudinal, performance, or motivational similarity.

forming, storming, norming, performing, adjourning

stages of group development

forming

characterized by uncertainty (and, frequently, confusion) about the purpose, structure, and leadership of the group; this stage is complete when individuals begin to view themselves as part of a group

storming

stage of group development tends to be marked with conflict and confrontation

norming

characterized by cooperation and collaboration. It is also the stage where group cohesion begins significant development

performing

stage where the group is fully functional. The group structure is set, and the roles of each member are understood and accepted. The group focuses its energies, efforts, and commitments on accomplishing the tasks it has accepted

adjourning

stage involves the termination of group activities

composition, status hierarchy, roles, norms, leadership, and cohesiveness.

characteristics of groups

group compositon

relates to the extent to which group members are alike

homogeneous group

share a number of similar characteristics.

heterogeneous group

is composed of individuals who have few or no similar characteristics

roles

that consists of the behaviors expected of the occupant of that position

expected role

that consists of the behaviors expected of the occupant of that position

perceived role

is the set of behaviors that a person in a position believes he or she should enact

enacted role

is the behavior that a person actually carries out

norms

The standards of behavior shared by members of a group.

social loafing

The tendency for individuals to exert less effort in groups than when working individually.

leadership

is an extremely crucial characteristic of groups as the leader exerts

influence over the other members of the group

cohesiveness

refers to closeness or commonness of attitude, behavior, and performance.

problem-solving teams

are formed to deal with problems; problem may be very specific and known, or the team may be set up to deal with potential future problems that have not yet been identified

quality circle

A small group of employees who meet on a regular basis, usually on company time, to recommend improvements and solve quality-related problems. Frequently a part of total quality management efforts.

cross-functional teams

one consisting of members from different functional departments; forms to address a specific problem. In most cases team members come from different departments and different levels

virtual team

A team whose members use technology to work across location and time boundaries to accomplish an interdependent objective.

research and development teams

teams are used to develop new products

self-managed team

Small group of individuals empowered to perform activities with minimal outside direction.

Training, Communications, Empowerment, rewards

Team Effectiveness