Groups

Question 1

Define group.

Answer 1

A group is a collection of 2 or more individuals who are independent and interact with one another to achieve a common goal.

Question 2

What distinguishes a group from a collection of people?

Answer 2

Goals, interaction and performance.

Question 3

Explain the systems that groups operate with.

Answer 3

Can be looked at as open and complex systems that interact with individuals embedded within them

Question 4

What group characteristics should managers be aware of?

Answer 4

• Can be rigid and formal or loose and flexible
• Normally develop their own internal structure, norms, values and roles
• Create a sense of belonging
• Outsiders will be treated differently than members
• Formed for a purpose
• Group members tend to be similar.

Question 5

Describe the three types of purpose groups.

Answer 5

• Functional
• task oriented
• interest groups

Question 6

Identify and describe the two group orientations.

Answer 6

Formal groups exist to carry out goals and objectives of an organization.
Informal groups are joined by common interests and have no bond with the purposes of an organization.

Question 7

What can be disadvantages of informal groups?

Answer 7

The standards of behaviors they develop may be different from the organization’s. Communication can lead to a rumor mill and cause false information.

Question 8

What are the five major characteristics of groups?

Answer 8

• Group development stages
• norms
• status
• roles
• cohesion.

Question 9

Describe the four stages of group development.

Answer 9

1. Orientation – activities when the group first gets together. Establishing structure, setting rules, procedures and developing action plans.
2. Internal problem solving.
3. Growth and productivity – achieved when problems have been solved and all activities are aimed at achieving the goal.
4. Evaluation and control – activities when the goal is reached. Outcomes are reviewed and revised if needed.

Question 10

Define norms.

Answer 10

The set of rules governing appropriate behavior, opinions and attitudes. The standards that are established to provide order to group activities.

Question 11

Describe the two types of norms.

Answer 11

• Behavioral norms are the specific behaviors of a person.
• Performance norms are behaviors affecting the productivity of the group.

Question 12

Define status.

Answer 12

Socially defined rank given to the group or members by others. Can determine the hierarchical structure within the group.

Question 13

What factors determine an individual’s status?

Answer 13

• The power a person holds over others
• A person’s ability to contribute to group goals
• An individual’s personality.

Question 14

Why can status be a good thing?

Answer 14

Clarification of relationships, authority and responsibility.

Question 15

How can employees develop an understanding of their role in a group?

Answer 15

• Consideration of the organization (job description)
• The group norms
• The individual’s expectations based on attitudes and values.

Question 16

What is role conflict?

Answer 16

when someone is performing multiple roles for multiple areas and has conflicting requests for things to be done.

Question 17

Name factors that influence group cohesion.

Answer 17

• The size of the group, small is more cohesive
• The degree of mutual dependency
• Commonality through gender, faith, skills, experience
• The strength of the leader.

Question 18

What is a trade union?

Answer 18

An organization run by and for workers to achieve common goals regarding working conditions.

Question 19

Define collective bargaining.

Answer 19

The process of negotiating and administering agreements between the union and management regarding wages, working conditions and the work environment.

Question 20

Describe the history of unions in the US and Canada.

Answer 20

The first U.S. union was the National Labor Union (NLU), founded in 1866. It tried to bring together all the labor organizations and ‘eight-hour leagues’ currently in existence.

Canadian unions existed before 1867. First union were formed by skilled workers.

Question 21

What are some of the important achievements of unions?

Answer 21

Ending child labor practices
improving safety
increasing wages
raising the standard of living
reducing the work hours in a week
bringing benefits to working class families

Question 22

Describe the union models.

Answer 22

1. A closed shop must hire directly from the union and all workers must only work for unionized employers.
2. A union shop employs non union workers but gives them a limited time where they must become union members.
3. An agency shop requires non union members to pay a fee for its services in negotiating their contract.
4. An open shop doesn’t require union membership for its workers.

Question 23

What is a team?

Answer 23

A team is a group of people who have been empowered to set goals, make decisions and solve problems.

Question 24

Name and describe the types of team.

Answer 24

• Improvement teams – not permanent. Formed to improve processes, products or services. Usually disbanded once goals are accomplished.
• Work teams – organized around a function. Team members work together and are empowered by a team leader. Usually permanent.
• Self-directed work teams – highest level of teams. Self-managed and select their own leader and goals.

Question 25

What are the key traits of an effective team?

Answer 25

1. Trust
2. Empowerment
3. Authentic participation
4. Ability to manage conflict
5. Communication skills
6. Delegation to help others
7. Embrace innovation, creativity and risk taking
8. Leadership
9. Decision making skills
10. Personality integration
11. Constructive change
12. Goals and objectives
13. Training.

Question 26

According to the Tuckman model, how are teams formed?

Answer 26

1. Forming (defining)
2. Storming (planning)
3. Norming (follow through)
4. Performing (transformation).

Question 27

Distinguish between groups and teams.

Answer 27

Groups – together for administrative purposes, work independently, are told what and how to do, roles may not be clear, do not participate in decisions.
Teams – think as an interdependent unit, prioritize team welfare, establish goals and feel ownership, apply their skills to team objectives.