Organizational Behavior
Group Dynamics and Teamwork
Thus far, we’ve been has been dealing with individual behavior. Another important component of OB, however, is group behavior.
Why care about group dynamics and teamwork?
1. Most work takes place in a group context.
2. The dynamics between people in groups is largely responsible for both the successes and failures of many work groups, as well as the satisfaction of the individuals working in them.
3. Groups and teams can be very effective if you know how to manage them properly. It is important for an effective manager to understand how people work in groups, and how to create effective teams.
4. Teams are a fact of life—the most popular way of coordinating the activity of people on the job. Knowing know they work will give you an edge.
The Nature of Groups
What is a group?
— a collection of two or more interacting and interdependent individuals who have come together to accomplish shared goals.
— A group is more than simply a collection of people.
- The most basic way of identifying types of groups is to distinguish between formal and informal groups.
Being able to accurately define and classify the groups may help explain their behavior.
2 types of groups: Formal and Informal
I. Formal Groups (are created by the organization and are intentionally designed to direct members toward some important organizational goal).
A. Command groups (a group determined by the connections between individuals who are a formal part of the organization---Those who legitimately can give orders to others).
— Typically consists of a supervisor and his/her subordinates.
Example: A vice president of marketing and her regional marketing directors.
B. Task groups (formal organizational group formed around some specific task).
— Task group boundaries are not limited to its immediate hierarchical supervisor; it can cross command
Thus far, we’ve been has been dealing with individual behavior. Another important component of OB, however, is group behavior.
Why care about group dynamics and teamwork?
1. Most work takes place in a group context.
2. The dynamics between people in groups is largely responsible for both the successes and failures of many work groups, as well as the satisfaction of the individuals working in them.
3. Groups and teams can be very effective if you know how to manage them properly. It is important for an effective manager to understand how people work in groups, and how to create effective teams.
4. Teams are a fact of life—the most popular way of coordinating the activity of people on the job. Knowing know they work will give you an edge.
The Nature of Groups
What is a group?
— a collection of two or more interacting and interdependent individuals who have come together to accomplish shared goals.
— A group is more than simply a collection of people.
- The most basic way of identifying types of groups is to distinguish between formal and informal groups.
Being able to accurately define and classify the groups may help explain their behavior.
2 types of groups: Formal and Informal
I. Formal Groups (are created by the organization and are intentionally designed to direct members toward some important organizational goal).
A. Command groups (a group determined by the connections between individuals who are a formal part of the organization---Those who legitimately can give orders to others).
— Typically consists of a supervisor and his/her subordinates.
Example: A vice president of marketing and her regional marketing directors.
B. Task groups (formal organizational group formed around some specific task).
— Task group boundaries are not limited to its immediate hierarchical supervisor; it can cross command