Discuss the Functions of the Formal and Informal Groups, How Can Each Type of Group Contribute to the Achievement of Organisational Goals. Provide Examples to Illustrate Your Answer.

Discuss the functions of the formal and informal groups, how can each type of group contribute to the achievement of organisational goals. Provide examples to illustrate your answer. “Groups are formed as a consequence of the pattern of organisation structure and arrangements for the division of work.” Mullins, L. (2007). Management And Organisational Behaviour. Harlow; Prentice Hall. A group is seen as a number of people, who are socially and psychologically aware of each other. It is a vital feature of a group that a member perceives themselves as members of the group, while a group has no exact definition, it varies upon people’s perceptions and therefore sometimes difficult to identify. Groups are a prominent feature of our everyday lives, most people are members of a number of groups and generally a majority of social activities that are done are usually done in groups. In the workplace activities that involve more than one person frequently are done in either teams or groups. Teams, while usually smaller than groups, generally involve a shared leadership and the selection of members is normally allot more important. Another difference is the way members look at a task, while in a team a result or outcome of a task is designed and developed by a joint effort of knowledge, understanding and communication, in a group, a task is usually finished with the sole ideas of the leader. Groups can be defined by either informal groups, or formal groups. A formal group is set by an official authority or leader designed to complete a specific task or purpose and is strictly regulated by the organisations rules and practices. In a formal group responsibility of an outcome of a task is set usually to the leader, and discipline and reward is mainly handed down to the leader via the organisation.

A way of reducing “social loafing” and increase motivation is the incorporation of informal groups. The ability in an informal group to form ideas