GOVT 0402 - Topic #1 (Lecture 2)

Groups and Teams - Lectures 1

Characteristics of Effective Work Groups are:

Characteristics of Effective Work Groups are:

1] Job Design

2] A Feeling of Empowerment

3] Interdependence

4] Team Efficacy

5] Right Mix and Size

6] Support for the Work Group

7] Effective Processes within the Group

8] Group Cohesiveness

9] Familiarity with Jobs, Coworkers, and the environment

What does the characteristic of “JOB DESIGN” entail in "effective work groups?

Effective work groups follow the principles of job design (job enrichment and the job characteristics model) to develop self-management capabilities and to ensure participation in decision making

What is meant by “A Feeling of Empowerment” in "effective work groups?

• Effective work groups believe they have the authority to solve a variety of problems without first obtaining approval from management.

• Group experiences: potency, meaningfulness, autonomy, and impact

What does the characteristic of “INTERDEPENDENCE” entail in "effective work groups?

– Effective work groups are task interdependent:

• Interdependence increases motivation and enhances the sense of responsibility for the work of the group as members interact and depend on one another to accomplish the task

• Goal interdependence involves linking individual goals to the group’s goals

What does the characteristic of “TEAM EFFICACY” entail in "effective work groups?

Effective teams hold the belief that they can successfully perform a specific task

What does the characteristic of “RIGHT MIX AND SIZE” entail in "effective work groups?

• Groups need to be large enough to do the job yet small enough to maintain internal communications, cohesiveness, and coordination

• Increasing group diversity improves problem solving

What is meant by “ Support for the Work Group” in "effective work groups?

The availability of sufficient resources (e.g., training and  managerial support) is essential to group success

What is meant by “ Effective Processes within the Group” in "effective work groups?

• Simply believing that the group can do anything enhances group effectiveness

• Social support of others, workload sharing, communication, and cooperation all contribute to group \n cohesiveness

What does the characteristic of “GROUP COHESIVENESS” entail in "effective work groups?

Group members who work closely with each other in a unified, cooperative manner are likely to be effective

What is meant by “Familiarity with Jobs, Coworkers, and the environment” in "effective work groups?

Group effectiveness is increased when group members have a high degree of specific knowledge of their jobs, coworkers, and the environment.

1/ Some characteristics of effective work groups are:

A. Job Design and Empowerment

B. Informal work groups

C. Effective group processes and Group cohesiveness

D. Interdependence and Team Efficacy

E. Right Mix and Size and Support for the workgroup

1. All of the above

2. C. B. D. and E.

3. C. B. A. and D.

4. D. E. A. and C.

5. A. B. C. and E.

D. E. A. and C.

Empowerment includes Authority, Meaningfulness and Autocracy

1/ TRUE

2/ FALSE

2/ FALSE

Efficacy stems from a team’s belief in the ability of others

2/FALSE

1/ TRUE

1/ FALSE

What makes Group Problem Solving and Decisions Difficult? Pitfalls?

1.People and their biases to different solutions

2.Individual agendas and behaviors

3.Different perspectives on what is right

4.Definition of the problem

5.Differences in information and experience

6.Lack of physical presence to exert influence

7.Differences in belief about how to approach a solution

8.Etc…

Techniques to minimize discord and achieve agreement are:

• Nominal Group Technique

• Delphi Technique

What is the Nominal Group Technique?

ideas pooled, presented without argument, discussion to clarify, vote & ranking of proposed solutions.

What is the Delphi Technique?

single coordinator used, questionnaire used to capture ideas about the problem, ideas are consolidated, follow up questionnaires, further refinement, vote & ranking of proposed solution

What are the “characteristics” of “techniques” that achieve agreement?

1. Agreement on the problem - what are trying to solve – who, what, how, when, where, why

2. Agree what will a good solution look like – what good looks like

3. Develop many alternatives e.g. NGT

4. Assess merits of proposed solutions

5. Assess potential downsides to proposed solutions – devil’s advocate

6. Select best solution

7. Implement and test

What are the “processes” that help the “process of  agreement”:

1. Agree on an approach/process/criteria for reaching agreement/ acceptance of the process

2. Prepare/ pre-read to inform discussion

3. Avoid new information surprises/ disruptions/ distractions during discussion

4. Respect each opinion – listening without judging

5. Have regular check-ins during the process

6. Confirm acceptance of the decision by all members

What are the ways in which decisions can be made within groups:

•  Consult each member then decide

•  Members empowered to decide

•  Members decide and all support the decision

What are the Group Decision Making Styles?

–Consultative

–Democratic

–Consensus

What is the “Consultative” group decision-making style?

Group leader consults with the group before deciding.

What is the “Democratic” group decision-making style?

The group is empowered to make decision themselves

What is the “Consensus” group decision-making style?

Manager shares problem with group members who seek a solution

Potential problems within groups are:

• Group Polarization

• Social Loafing

• Groupthink

What is Group Polarization?

Shifts in member attitudes to more or less risky positions, which, in turn, reduces intergroup cohesion

What is Social Loafing?

Occurs when an under-motivated person shirks individual responsibility and tries to squeeze without contributing a fair share of the work

What is Groupthink?

–Occurs when strong group cohesiveness creates an extreme form of consensus and interferes with effective decision making

What are contributors to groupthink:

• strong member identification with the group

• directive leadership

• high stress

• insulation of the group

• no built-in mechanism for evaluating decisions.