This document defines groups and describes their key characteristics and dynamics. It discusses the types of groups, both formal and informal, and compares their characteristics. It also outlines several important group properties like roles, norms, status, size and cohesiveness. Finally, it examines various techniques for group decision making.

2. GROUP
 A group can be defined as two or more individuals
coming together to accomplish a particular task or goal.
CHARACTERSESTICS OF GROUP
 Two or more person
 Interaction
 Reasonable size
 Shared goal interest
 Stability
 Collective identity

3. Group Dynamics
 Attitudinal and behavioural characteristics of a group.
 Group dynamics concern
 how groups form
 Structure
 How they function.

4. TYPES OF GROUPS
Group
Formal Group Informal Group
Command Friendship Interest Reference
Task Group
Group Group Group Group

5. CHARACTERESTICS OF
FORMAL AND INFORMAL GROUPS
Characteristics Formal Groups Informal Groups
Objective Task accomplishment Member satisfaction
Origin Management Individual members
Structure Formal Informal
Orientation Task oriented Relation oriented
Influence Formal authority Personality
Leadership Formal leader Informal leader
Control Formal controls Social sanctions

6. GROUP PROPERTIES
 Role
 Norms
 Status
 Size
 Cohesiveness

7.  Role
 Set of activities expected from a person occupying a particular
position in a group.
 Members may have to play multiple roles.
 Roles are impersonal.
 Norms
 Set of informal rules, beliefs and values that guide members
behaviour.
 Define the boundaries of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.
 Status
 Relative prestige, social position or rank given to groups by others.
 Formal status system-due to official position
 informal status system-due to a particular person

8.  Size
 Number of members in a group.
 Smaller groups are faster and effective.
 Larger groups creates free riders and social loafing.
 Cohesiveness
 Degree to which members are attracted to each other.
 Individuals are motivated to stay in group.
 Relationship between cohesiveness and productivity depends
on performance norms.

9. Relation between Productivity and Cohesiveness

10. GROUP DECISION MAKING

11.  Group Think
 Situation in which the conformity
pressures will prevent the group from
encouraging the unpopular views or
minority views.
 Group Shift
• The initial positions of individual members are
exaggerated toward a more extreme position while in
groups.
• When in groups, individuals are likely to make riskier
decisions.

12. Group Decision Making Techniques
 Ordinary Group Interactions
 Brainstorming
 Nominal Group Technique
 Delphi Technique
 Electronic Meeting

13.  Ordinary Group Interactions
 Conventional method where the chairman calls the meeting,
explains the problem and tries to get a result.
 Sub optimal decisions are often reached just to end the meeting.
 Brainstorming
 Use of brain to storm a problem.
 Group members express themselves freely, regardless of how crazy or
wild their ideas may appear to others.
 Principles of brain storming
 Deferred judgement- all ideas are encouraged without criticism
and evaluation.
 Quantity breeds quality- as more ideas come forth, quality one’s
will be developed.

14.  Nominal Group Technique
 Members of the target group are brought forward and
presented with a problem.
 Each member writes down his ideas silently and
independently.
 Each member presents a single idea (best idea) to the
group, which is written on the blackboard for all to see.
 A discussion is held to clarify and evaluate ideas.
 Meeting concludes with a silent, independent vote on
priorities through a rank ordering

15.  Delphi Technique
 Members are physically dispersed and do not meet face to face.
 Members independently answers a series of questionnaires.
 Suggestions are pooled and feedback report is given by the
chairperson.
 Second stage questionnaire are sent for reaction and reassessment.
 Members evaluates the feedback report and generates new
suggestions.
 Process is continued until a clear solution emerges.

16.  Electronic Meeting System
 way of conducting meetings supported by computer
technologies.