Chapter 14: Understanding groups and teams

Question 1

What are groups?

Answer 1

Group - two or more interacting and interdependent individuals who come together to achieve specific goals.
–Formal groups
•Work groups defined by the organization’s structure that have designated work assignments and tasks
–Informal groups
•Groups that are independently formed to meet the social needs of their members

Question 2

What are the components of group structure?

Answer 2

1. Role - behavior patterns expected of someone occupying a given position in a social unit.
   –Roles oriented towards task accomplishment or maintaining group member satisfaction
2. Norms - standards or expectations that are accepted and shared by a group’s members.
   –Norms related to levels of effort and performance, promptness, socialising, dress and loyalty
3. Groupthink - when a group exerts extensive pressure on an individual to align his or her opinion with that of others.

4.Status - a prestige grading, position, or rank within a group.
–Significant motivator with behavioural consequences

5. Social loafing - the tendency for individuals to expend less effort when working collectively than when working individually.
6. Group cohesiveness - the degree to which group members are attracted to one another and share the group’s goals.

Question 3

What are the advantages of Group Decision Making over individual decisions?

Answer 3

• Groups provide complete information and knowledge
• Groups generate more diverse alternatives
• Groups increase acceptance of a solution
• Groups increase legitimacy

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of Group Decision Making over individual decisions?

Answer 4

• Groups are time-consuming
• Groups risk minority domination
• There are pressures to conform
• There is ambiguous responsibility

Question 5

What Is a Work Team?

Answer 5

•Work teams - groups whose members work intensely on a specific, common goal using their positive synergy, individual and mutual accountability, and complementary skills.

Question 6

What are the advantages of using teams?

Answer 6

• Teams outperform individuals.
• Teams provide a way to better use employee talents.
• Teams are more flexible and responsive.
• Teams can be quickly assembled, deployed, refocused, and disbanded.

Question 7

What are the characteristics of effective teams?

Answer 7

• Have a clear understanding of their goals
• Have competent members with relevant technical and interpersonal skills
• Exhibit high mutual trust in the character and integrity of their members
• Are unified in their commitment to team goals
• Have good communication systems
• Possess effective negotiating skills
• Have appropriate leadership
• Have both internally and externally supportive environments