Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Organizational Behavior
Group Behavior,Teams and
Communication
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Group(s)
? A group is two or more individuals,
interacting and interdependent,who have
come together to achieve particular
objectives
– Formal (command and task)
– Informal Interest and friendship)
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Why Do People Join Groups?
? Security
? Status
? Self-esteem
? Affiliation
? Power
? Goal achievement
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Stages of Group Development
? Forming – much uncertainty
? Storming – intra-group conflict
? Norming – close relationships
? Performing – fully functional
? Adjourning – concern with wrapping up
activities
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Determinants of Group
Performance
? External conditions imposed on group
? Group member resources
? Group structure
? Group processes
? Group tasks
? Group decision making
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
External Conditions Imposed on
the Group
? Organization’s overall strategy
? Authority structures
? Formal regulations
? Resource constraints
? Selection process
? Performance and evaluation system
? Organization’s culture
? Physical work setting
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Group Member Resources
? Knowledge,skills and abilities
– Interpersonal skills consistently emerge as
important for high performance groups
? Personality characteristics
– Positive attributes of sociability,initiative,
openness and flexibility tend to be positively
related to group productivity,morale and
cohesiveness
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Group Structure Variables
? Formal leadership
? Roles
? Norms
? Status
? Group size
? Composition
? Degree of cohesiveness
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Roles
? A role is a set of expected behavior
patterns attributed to someone occupying
a given position in a social unit
– Role perception
– Role identity
– Role expectations
– Role conflict
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Norms
? Norms are acceptable standards of
behavior within a group that are shared by
the group’s members
– Performance norms
– Appearance norms
– Social arrangement norms
– Allocation of resources norms
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Social Loafing
? The tendency for individuals to expend
less effort when working collectively than
when working individually
? Groups of 7 or 9 perform better overall
than larger or smaller groups
? Does not happen in collectivist societies
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Social Loafing Does Not Occur
? When individual contributions are
identified
? When subjects are personally involved
? When there is high group cohesion
? When the task is challenging and unique
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Group Cohesiveness
? The degree to which group members are
attracted to each other and are motivated
to stay in the group
– Make the group smaller
– Encourage agreement with group goals
– Increase time spent together
– Increase group status
– Stimulate competition with other groups
– Give rewards to the group,not individuals
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Group Decision Making
? More complete information
? Increased diversity of views
? Higher quality of decisions
? Increased acceptance of solutions
? More time consuming
? Increased pressure to conform
? Domination by one or a few members
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Groupthink
? A phenomenon in which the norm for
consensus overrides the realistic appraisal
of alternative courses of action and full
expression of deviant,minority,or
unpopular views
– Rationalize any resistance
– Apply direct pressure
– Silence
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Consequences of Groupthink
? Members enjoy group membership
? Accept goals
? Low absenteeism
? Groupthink
? May work against organizational interests
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
To Reduce Groupthink
? Make the group larger
? Reward individuals
? Increase interaction with outside groups
? Encourage disagreement
? Raise objections
? Create devil’s advocates
? Conduct sensitivity analysis
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Teams are Popular
? Outperform individuals
? Use employee talents better
? Are more flexible and responsive to
changes in the environment
? Facilitate employee involvement
? Are an effective way to motivate
employees
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Types of Teams
? Problem-solving teams – improve quality,
efficiency or work environment
? Self-managed teams – take on
responsibilities of former supervisors
? Cross functional teams – task oriented
? Virtual teams – use computer technology
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Team Effectiveness
? Work Design – autonomy,skill variety,
team significance,task identity
? Composition – ability,personalities,size
? Context – adequate resources,leadership,
climate of trust,rewards
? Process – common purpose,specific
goals,conflict,social loafing
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Team Composition
? Abilities – technical expertise,problem
solving skills,and interpersonal skills
? Personalities
? Roles assignment and amount of diversity
? Number of members
? Member flexibility
? Individual preferences
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Functions of Communication
? Communication is the transference and
understanding of meaning
? Functions
– Control of member behavior
– Foster motivation
– Release of emotional expression
– Provide information for decisions
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Interpersonal Communication
? Oral communication – fast and immediate
feedback but may distort the message
? Written communication – tangible and
verifiable but is time consuming and lacks
immediate feedback
? Nonverbal communication – provides
observable expressions of feelings and
emotions but misperceptions may result
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Grapevine
? An informal communication network that is
not controlled by management
? Rumors emerge as a response to
situations that are important to us,when
there is ambiguity,and under conditions
that arouse anxiety
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Channel Richness
? The amount of information that can be
transmitted during a communication
episode
– Memos,letters
– Electronic mail
– Voice mail
– Telephone conversations
– Face-to-face conversations
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Barriers to Effective
Communication
? Filtering – manipulating information
? Selective perception
? Information overload
? Emotions
? Language
? Communications apprehension
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
To Improve Listening
? Listen carefully
? Be mentally and physically prepared to
listen
? Don’t talk too much
? Listen with empathy
? Be courteous; don’t interrupt
? Be alert to what is not said
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Cross-Cultural Communication
Barriers
? Semantics – different meanings
? Word connotations
? Tone differences
? Differences among perceptions
? Silence
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Vocabulary Problems
? An American would say:
– I put some gas in my truck,drove to my girl
friend’s apartment,took the elevator to her
floor,and rang the doorbell.
? An Englishman would say:
– I put some petrol in my lorry,drove to my girl
friend’s flat,took the lift to her floor,and
knocked her up.
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Translation Problems
? Out of sight,out of mind.
? Invisible things are insane.
? Come alive with Pepsi.
? Bring your ancestors back from the dead.
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Word Differences
? France,Place your values at the front desk.
? Japan,You are invited to take advantage of the
chambermaid.
? Norway,Ladies are requested not to have
babies in the bar.
? Greece,We will execute customers in strict
rotation.
? Egypt,The president attended the passing out
ceremony.
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Unusual Signs
? In a restaurant – open seven days a week and
weekends
? In a funeral parlor – ask about our layaway plan
? In a maternity ward – no children allowed
? In a delicatessen – our best is none too good
? In a general store – why go elsewhere to be
cheated,when you can come here.
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Hand Gestures Mean Different
Things in Different Countries
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Hand Gestures Mean Different
Things in Different Countries
Organizational Behavior
Group Behavior,Teams and
Communication
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Group(s)
? A group is two or more individuals,
interacting and interdependent,who have
come together to achieve particular
objectives
– Formal (command and task)
– Informal Interest and friendship)
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Why Do People Join Groups?
? Security
? Status
? Self-esteem
? Affiliation
? Power
? Goal achievement
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Stages of Group Development
? Forming – much uncertainty
? Storming – intra-group conflict
? Norming – close relationships
? Performing – fully functional
? Adjourning – concern with wrapping up
activities
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Determinants of Group
Performance
? External conditions imposed on group
? Group member resources
? Group structure
? Group processes
? Group tasks
? Group decision making
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
External Conditions Imposed on
the Group
? Organization’s overall strategy
? Authority structures
? Formal regulations
? Resource constraints
? Selection process
? Performance and evaluation system
? Organization’s culture
? Physical work setting
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Group Member Resources
? Knowledge,skills and abilities
– Interpersonal skills consistently emerge as
important for high performance groups
? Personality characteristics
– Positive attributes of sociability,initiative,
openness and flexibility tend to be positively
related to group productivity,morale and
cohesiveness
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Group Structure Variables
? Formal leadership
? Roles
? Norms
? Status
? Group size
? Composition
? Degree of cohesiveness
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Roles
? A role is a set of expected behavior
patterns attributed to someone occupying
a given position in a social unit
– Role perception
– Role identity
– Role expectations
– Role conflict
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Norms
? Norms are acceptable standards of
behavior within a group that are shared by
the group’s members
– Performance norms
– Appearance norms
– Social arrangement norms
– Allocation of resources norms
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Social Loafing
? The tendency for individuals to expend
less effort when working collectively than
when working individually
? Groups of 7 or 9 perform better overall
than larger or smaller groups
? Does not happen in collectivist societies
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Social Loafing Does Not Occur
? When individual contributions are
identified
? When subjects are personally involved
? When there is high group cohesion
? When the task is challenging and unique
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Group Cohesiveness
? The degree to which group members are
attracted to each other and are motivated
to stay in the group
– Make the group smaller
– Encourage agreement with group goals
– Increase time spent together
– Increase group status
– Stimulate competition with other groups
– Give rewards to the group,not individuals
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Group Decision Making
? More complete information
? Increased diversity of views
? Higher quality of decisions
? Increased acceptance of solutions
? More time consuming
? Increased pressure to conform
? Domination by one or a few members
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Groupthink
? A phenomenon in which the norm for
consensus overrides the realistic appraisal
of alternative courses of action and full
expression of deviant,minority,or
unpopular views
– Rationalize any resistance
– Apply direct pressure
– Silence
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Consequences of Groupthink
? Members enjoy group membership
? Accept goals
? Low absenteeism
? Groupthink
? May work against organizational interests
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
To Reduce Groupthink
? Make the group larger
? Reward individuals
? Increase interaction with outside groups
? Encourage disagreement
? Raise objections
? Create devil’s advocates
? Conduct sensitivity analysis
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Teams are Popular
? Outperform individuals
? Use employee talents better
? Are more flexible and responsive to
changes in the environment
? Facilitate employee involvement
? Are an effective way to motivate
employees
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Types of Teams
? Problem-solving teams – improve quality,
efficiency or work environment
? Self-managed teams – take on
responsibilities of former supervisors
? Cross functional teams – task oriented
? Virtual teams – use computer technology
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Team Effectiveness
? Work Design – autonomy,skill variety,
team significance,task identity
? Composition – ability,personalities,size
? Context – adequate resources,leadership,
climate of trust,rewards
? Process – common purpose,specific
goals,conflict,social loafing
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Team Composition
? Abilities – technical expertise,problem
solving skills,and interpersonal skills
? Personalities
? Roles assignment and amount of diversity
? Number of members
? Member flexibility
? Individual preferences
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Functions of Communication
? Communication is the transference and
understanding of meaning
? Functions
– Control of member behavior
– Foster motivation
– Release of emotional expression
– Provide information for decisions
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Interpersonal Communication
? Oral communication – fast and immediate
feedback but may distort the message
? Written communication – tangible and
verifiable but is time consuming and lacks
immediate feedback
? Nonverbal communication – provides
observable expressions of feelings and
emotions but misperceptions may result
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Grapevine
? An informal communication network that is
not controlled by management
? Rumors emerge as a response to
situations that are important to us,when
there is ambiguity,and under conditions
that arouse anxiety
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Channel Richness
? The amount of information that can be
transmitted during a communication
episode
– Memos,letters
– Electronic mail
– Voice mail
– Telephone conversations
– Face-to-face conversations
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Barriers to Effective
Communication
? Filtering – manipulating information
? Selective perception
? Information overload
? Emotions
? Language
? Communications apprehension
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
To Improve Listening
? Listen carefully
? Be mentally and physically prepared to
listen
? Don’t talk too much
? Listen with empathy
? Be courteous; don’t interrupt
? Be alert to what is not said
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Cross-Cultural Communication
Barriers
? Semantics – different meanings
? Word connotations
? Tone differences
? Differences among perceptions
? Silence
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Vocabulary Problems
? An American would say:
– I put some gas in my truck,drove to my girl
friend’s apartment,took the elevator to her
floor,and rang the doorbell.
? An Englishman would say:
– I put some petrol in my lorry,drove to my girl
friend’s flat,took the lift to her floor,and
knocked her up.
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Translation Problems
? Out of sight,out of mind.
? Invisible things are insane.
? Come alive with Pepsi.
? Bring your ancestors back from the dead.
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Word Differences
? France,Place your values at the front desk.
? Japan,You are invited to take advantage of the
chambermaid.
? Norway,Ladies are requested not to have
babies in the bar.
? Greece,We will execute customers in strict
rotation.
? Egypt,The president attended the passing out
ceremony.
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Unusual Signs
? In a restaurant – open seven days a week and
weekends
? In a funeral parlor – ask about our layaway plan
? In a maternity ward – no children allowed
? In a delicatessen – our best is none too good
? In a general store – why go elsewhere to be
cheated,when you can come here.
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Hand Gestures Mean Different
Things in Different Countries
Dr,Jerry L,Huxell
Hand Gestures Mean Different
Things in Different Countries
