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G.L. BAJAJ INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH

COMMON THREATS TO GROUP EFFECTIVENESS

Presented By:

1.Mridul Gupta2.Moumita Mardi3.Nidhi Singh4.Moxada Mishra5.Nadeem Ahmad

2Group

A group can be defined as the collection

of two or more people who meet

regularly over a period of time and share

common values and strive for common

objectives.

3Features of Group Two or more persons

Shared goal interest

Reasonable size

Interaction

Collective identity

Stability

4Group

Formal Group

Informal Group

Project Group

Friendship Group

Interest Group

Reference Group

Task Group

Command Group

Types of Groups:

5Formal Groups

Command Group: It is a permanent group in an organization dictated by

the structure of an organization. Ex- Chairman and the faculty members in

the academic department.

Task Group: It is a temporary type of group established to solve a specific

problems or issues. Ex- Development of a new product, proposal of a

motivational contest.

Project Groups: it consists different individuals who are brought together

from different backgrounds to complete a specific task.

6Informal GroupsFriendship Group: These types of groups are based on the common

characteristics like age, college affiliation, common values. These types of groups have tremendous influence on their members. Ex- A group of employees who form a friendship group may have an exercise group, a softball team

Interest Group: These types of groups are formed by the members who have mutual interest and the group try to achieve their objective. Ex- students who come together to form a study group for a specific class.

Reference Group: A reference group is a type of group that people use to evaluate themselves. According to Cherrington, the main purposes of reference groups are social validation and social comparison. Ex- Family, friends, and religious affiliations are strong reference groups for most individuals

7Difference between Formal and Informal Group

BASIS FOR COMPARISON FORMAL GROUP INFORMAL GROUP

Meaning

Groups created by the organization, for the purpose of accomplishing a specific task are known as Formal Groups.

Groups created by the employees themselves, for their own sake are known as Informal Groups.

Size Large Comparatively small.

Life Depends on the type of group. Depends on the members.

Structure Well Defined Ill Defined

Importance is given to Position Person

Relationship Professional Personal

Communication Moves in a defined direction. Stretches in all the directions.

8Functions of GroupsBroadly, groups serve two kinds of functions in an organization: Task and Maintenance.Task Functions:• Handling complex tasks.• Implementation of complex decision.• Generating new and creative ideas.• Vehicle for training new employees.

Maintenance Functions:• Fulfilling the need of social interaction.• Solving personal problems.• Reducing anxiety and uncertainty.• Providing a sense of identity and self esteem.

9Threats to Group EffectivenessThreats to group effectiveness leads to inability of a group to maintain its procedures and function effectively. Some common threats to group effectiveness are discussed below. Groupthink Risky shift Group loafing

10GroupthinkGroupthink exists when you feel a high pressure to

conform and are unwilling to realistically view

alternatives.

What are some of the reasons or factors that

promote groupthink?

What can be done to prevent groupthink?

11Symptoms of Groupthink Lead to Defective Decision Making

Symptoms of Groupthink• Invulnerability• Inherent Mortality• Rationalization• Self-censorship• Illusion of unanimity• Peer pressure• Mind guards

Decision-Making Defects• Few alternatives• No re-examination of

preferred alternatives• No re-examination of

rejected alternatives• Selection bias of new

information• No contingency plans

12Social Loafing• Decrease in the effort of an individual as the group size increases.• The tendency for individuals to exert less effort while working in a group

as the size of the group increases.

Causes for social loafing:

Equitable contribution Submaximal goal setting Lessened contingency between input and outcome Lack of evaluation Unequal distribution of compensation Non-cohesive group

13Preventing Social Loafing:

Develop rules of conduct

Create appropriate group sizes

Establish individual accountability

Encourage group loyalty implement peer evaluation

Write a team contract

Choose complimentary team member

Establish group rules

Specifically define task

14Risky Shift• Some groups are equipped to take higher risk than

individuals and the phenomenon is called “risky

shift” phenomenon.

• When individuals take decisions in the group,

certain factors determine the degree of risk shift.

• When individuals take decisions as a group, they

do not have the responsibility for the outcome of

individual level.

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