Teams and Groups

Teams A small number of people who work closely together toward a common objective and are mutually accountable.

Types of Teams ? Problem-solvingSelf-managedCross-functionalVirtual Technology © Pearsons Education Canada

Quality Circle Operates Problem selection Problem review Solutions recommended Solutions reviewed Decision Management Circle team members Management and circle team members Problem identification © Pearsons Education Canada

Ishikawa Diagram

Stages of Group Development

Forms of Interdependence Comprehensive Interdependence Reciprocal Interdependence Sequential Interdependence Pooled Interdependence Coordination/ complexity Source: Colquitt et al. (2011): Organizational Behaviour, p. 256

Roles – a set of expected behaviour patterns associated with someone occupying a given position in a social unit. Role expectations – How others believe a person should act in a given situation. Role Conflict – A situation in which an individual is confronted by divergent role expectations. © Pearsons Education Canada

Roles Role Ambiguity – A person is unclear about his or her role. Role Overload – Too much is expected of someone. Role Underload – Too little is expected of someone – That person feels that they are not contributing © Pearsons Education Canada

Roles Task-oriented roles – These group members ensure that the tasks are accomplished. Maintenance roles – These group members maintain good relations within the group. Individual roles – Roles performed by group members that are not productive for keeping the group on task. © Pearsons Education Canada

Belbin’s Nine Team Roles 1. Plant 2. Monitor Evaluator 3. Coordinators 4. Implementers 5. Completer Finishers 6. Teamworkers 7. Shapers 8. Specialist 9. Resource Investigator

Team Member- Norms Acceptable standards of behaviour within a group that are shared by the group’s members. What Norms Cover – Performance: work ethic, work quality, levels of tardiness – Appearance: personal dress, when to look busy, when to "goof off," how to show loyalty – Social arrangement: how team members interact – Allocation of resources: pay, assignments, tools & equipment © Pearsons Education Canada

Conformity & Ash Experiment Adjusting one’s behaviour to align with the norms of the group People conform to reference groups – Important groups to which individuals belong or hope to belong © Pearsons Education Canada

Janis’ Groupthink Phenomenon Defined as a conformity resulting from people of like mind & experience, diversity avoids it. © Pearsons Education Canada

Symptoms of Groupthink 1. Illusion of invulnerability 2. Rationalizing warnings that challenge 3. Unquestioned belief in the group 4. Stereotyping those who are opposed as weak 5. Direct pressure to conform 6. Self censorship of ideas that deviate 7. Illusions of unanimity among members 8. Mind Guards

Diversity (Surface Diversity) Diversity in age, gender, etc. (Deep Diversity) Cultural diversity, personality, and experience in groups.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Diversity

The Punctuated-Equilibrium Model Completion Transition First Meeting Phase 1 Phase 2 (High) (Low) A(A+B)/2 Time B Performance © Pearsons Education Canada