Running head: WEEK 4 DISCUSSION POST 1 2 WEEK 4 DISCUSSION POST Week 4 Discussion Post Brooke Caminita University of the Cumberlands Summary of Week 4 Chapter Readings Introduction The readings this week went into great detail about the importance of working in groups and teams. This information could be helpful to anyone in various fields in order to better their outcomes of work. It is important to know all the factors that play a role in groups and teams, including the differences between the two, as they vary in several ways. Literature Review Chapter 9 is important for understanding groups and why they behave certain ways. The properties discussed in the chapter include the following: “roles, norms, status, size, cohesiveness, and diversity” (Robbins & Judge, 2018, p. 139). Roles are behavioral patterns expressed by an individual in relation to a position they have. Roles can be a job, a volunteer, a parent, an advisor, all having different expectations and requirements. Next is norms, meaning expected behavior of what should be done and not be done in various situations (Robbins & Judge, 2018, p. 140). Robbins and Judge (2018) explain status to be “a socially defined position or rank given to groups or group members by others” (p. 144). In addition, size is important to any group because it may have an effect depending on how many people are involved. One of the most well-known issues associated with groups is called social loafing. Social loafing is when individuals exhibit less effort than they would if they were working alone (Robbins & Judge, 2018, p. 146). Cohesiveness is how well a group works together based on several factors like group size, encouragement, and time spent together (Robbins & Judge, 2018, p. 147). The last property to be discussed is diversity. Diversity refers to the similarities and differences among group members. Just like in any situation, there are strengths and weaknesses of decisions made within a group. Some of the strengths include, a well-rounded foundation of knowledge, various options, and increased acceptance (Robbins & Judge, 2018, p. 149). The weaknesses of decisions made within a group are the amount of time it takes, and differences of opinion in the group (Robbins & Judge, 2018, p. 149). In chapter 10 on “Understanding Work Teams”, a lot of valuable knowledge is covered. It is important to understand the difference between groups and teams. Groups are working towards gathering information, differences of opinions, sometimes positive/negative, while teams are positive and work towards one goal together (Robbins & Judge, 2018, p. 155). There are four common teams discussed in the chapter including: “problem-solving teams, self-managed work teams, cross-functional teams, and virtual teams” (Robbins & Judge, 2018, p. 156). I found it to be important to understand that not everyone is a team player and it takes the right environment to encourage team involvement. Although .

1. Running head: WEEK 4 DISCUSSION POST 1
2
WEEK 4 DISCUSSION POST
Week 4 Discussion Post
Brooke Caminita
University of the Cumberlands
Summary of Week 4 Chapter Readings
Introduction
The readings this week went into great detail about the
importance of working in groups and teams. This information
could be helpful to anyone in various fields in order to better
their outcomes of work. It is important to know all the factors

2. that play a role in groups and teams, including the differences
between the two, as they vary in several ways.
Literature Review
Chapter 9 is important for understanding groups and why they
behave certain ways. The properties discussed in the chapter
include the following: “roles, norms, status, size, cohesiveness,
and diversity” (Robbins & Judge, 2018, p. 139). Roles are
behavioral patterns expressed by an individual in relation to a
position they have. Roles can be a job, a volunteer, a parent, an
advisor, all having different expectations and requirements.
Next is norms, meaning expected behavior of what should be
done and not be done in various situations (Robbins & Judge,
2018, p. 140). Robbins and Judge (2018) explain status to be “a
socially defined position or rank given to groups or group
members by others” (p. 144). In addition, size is important to
any group because it may have an effect depending on how
many people are involved. One of the most well-known issues
associated with groups is called social loafing. Social loafing is
when individuals exhibit less effort than they would if they
were working alone (Robbins & Judge, 2018, p. 146).
Cohesiveness is how well a group works together based on
several factors like group size, encouragement, and time spent
together (Robbins & Judge, 2018, p. 147). The last property to
be discussed is diversity. Diversity refers to the similarities and
differences among group members.
Just like in any situation, there are strengths and
weaknesses of decisions made within a group. Some of the
strengths include, a well-rounded foundation of knowledge,
various options, and increased acceptance (Robbins & Judge,
2018, p. 149). The weaknesses of decisions made within a group
are the amount of time it takes, and differences of opinion in the
group (Robbins & Judge, 2018, p. 149).
In chapter 10 on “Understanding Work Teams”, a lot of
valuable knowledge is covered. It is important to understand the
difference between groups and teams. Groups are working
towards gathering information, differences of opinions,

3. sometimes positive/negative, while teams are positive and work
towards one goal together (Robbins & Judge, 2018, p. 155).
There are four common teams discussed in the chapter
including: “problem-solving teams, self-managed work teams,
cross-functional teams, and virtual teams” (Robbins & Judge,
2018, p. 156). I found it to be important to understand that not
everyone is a team player and it takes the right environment to
encourage team involvement. Although not every job involves
the need for team-players, for those that do the following are
required: finding individuals with team-player characteristics,
training and educating them, and making incentives available
for accomplishments (Robbins & Judge, 2018, p. 167).
In order to create an effective team, including: contextual,
composition, and process. For example, the contextual
component includes things like resources, structure,
performance measurement systems, and trust (Robbins & Judge,
2018, p. 159). Composition includes factors relating to members
such as diversity, how many people are in the team, and even
differing personalities (Robbins & Judge, 2018, p. 159). The
final component, process, involves the team’s goals, the
purpose, how well the team works, and being aware of “social
loafing” (Robbins & Judge, 2018, p. 159).
References
Robbins, S. & Judge T. (2018). Essentials of Organizational
Behavior. Boston, MA: Pearson.
Discussion Post Week 3
BUOL 523 – 02

4. Hannah K. Jones
University of the Cumberlands
Chapter 9 – Foundations of Group Behavior
A group is defined as two or more people who are working
together to achieve a specific goal. There are two types of
groups formal and informal. A formal group is a work group
that is assembled by the organization’s structure.An informal
group is a group that is not formally organized or related to
work. Ingroups and outgroups form within formal and informal
groups. Ingroups are the individuals that belong to our specific
groups. Outgroups are the people who are not part of our
groups. The main issue that arises is ingroup favoritism. This is
the theory that some individuals may perceive that other
members in the groups that they belong to are superior to
nonmembers.
The punctuated – equilibrium model is a series of phases
that temporarily formed groups experience that cycle them
through periods of productivity and stalled progress. A role is
how an individual is expected to act and preform because of a
place in a group. Role requirements can evolve over time.
Reference groups are the groups that an individual aspires to
belong to or does belong to.
A person’s status is a group that they belong to due to rank
or position. The status characteristics theory states that
differences in status creates status hierarchies. Status is

5. determined by the power an individual has over others, amount
on contribution to the group’s goals, and personal
characteristics. Status can cause individuals to become more
assertive. Often times this stifles creativity, communication,
and group think.
In a group, cohesiveness is key due to it’s impact on
productivity. Diversity of a group is important because
differences in members of the group allow for increased
creativity. Diversity is challenging to groups because it
decreases group satisfaction and cohesiveness which in turn
decreases productivity.
Chapter 10 – Understanding Work Teams
It is no secret that teamwork strategies are becoming more
common in the workplace. Teams are effective and more
productive than an individual. A work group is a set of
individuals that interchange information in order to aid one
another with individual job duties. A work team is a group of
individuals whom work together to achieve a desired outcome.
The five main types of team arrangements are problem solving
teams, self managed work teams, cross functional teams, virtual
teams, and multiteam systems.
A problem solving team is five to ten employees who meet
for a few hours a week to discuss ideas to improve the
workplace. Self managed work teams are groups of 10 to 15
people whom preform duties that were formerly assignment to
their supervisor. Cross functional teams are employees from the
same hierarchical level from different departments who work
together to achieve a goal. Virtual teams use computers to
communicate and achieve a shared objective. Multiteam systems
is a team of teams.
The three main categories of team effectiveness are
contextual influences, composition, and process. Contextual
influences are made up of resources, leadership, trust, and
performance evaluation / reward system. Composition has to do
with member’s abilities, member’s personality, diversity, size,
and role placement. Process involves team cohesion, team

6. identity, efficacy, goals and social loafing.
Organizations can create team players by training. In our
team focused workforce it is important that individuals
understand the importance of diversity, cohesion,
communication, and cooperation. It is important for
organizations who embrace the teamwork approach to ensure
that they are hiring, training, and rewarding their valued
employees.