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Mixed Group

Typesof Groups

 

Meaning of Group- In general terms, every collection of people whether it be a crowd on a city bus or in a movie theatre is a group. However, it is a very narrow definition of a group. “A group may be defined as aggregation of small number of persons who work for common goals, develop a shared attitude, and are aware that they are a part of a group and perceive themselves as such”. 

Features of Group 

1. Two or more persons- To form a group there should be at least two persons because a single individual cannot interact. However, there cannot be any specific limit on the maximum number of persons in a group but the size of the group will be determined by rules and regulations of the organization. 

2. Collective identity- Each member of the group must believe that he is a member of some specific group. It is the awareness of each other that most clearly differentiate a group from an aggregation of individuals. 

3. Interaction- Members of the group interact among themselves. Interaction means that each member shares his ideas with others through communication. It is not necessary for all members of the group to interact simultaneously, but each member must interact at lest occasionally with one or more members of the group. 

4. Shared common goal- Members of the group should subscribe to the attainment of some common objective. If a group has a variety of objective or interests, each member of the group must share at least one of the group concerns. The shared goal binds the group member together. 

Why do people join groups? 

1. Security- By joining a group, individuals can reduce the insecurity of “standing alone”. People feel stronger, have fewer self-doubts, and are more resistant to threats when they are part of a group. 

2. Status- Inclusion in a group that is viewed as important by others provides recognition and status for its members. 

3. Self-esteem- Groups provide people with self worth. That is, in addition to conveying status to those outside the group, membership can also give increased feelings of worth to the group members themselves. 

4. Affiliation- Groups can fulfill needs. People enjoy the regular interaction that comes with group membership. For many people, these on the job interaction are their primary source for fulfilling their needs for affiliation. 

5. Power- What cannot be achieved individually often becomes possible through group action. There is power in numbers. 

6. Goal achievement- There are times when it takes more than one person to accomplish a particular task-there is a need to pool talent, knowledge or power in order to complete a job. In such instances, management will rely on the use of formal group. 

Functions of group 

There are multiple functions which are performed by groups. However for the convenience they are classified into three categories. (1) Formal organizational function (2) Psychological personal function (3)  Mixed function. 

(1) Formal organizational functions- The formal organizational functions are those functions which are assigned by the organization to their group members and the groups are bound to accomplish those functions.. Thus, groups perform functions such as completing a work, creating ideas or liaising on behalf of organizations .In other words, their formal functions embrace all those activities which are assigned to them and for which they are officially accountable. 

(2) Psychological personal function- The group performs several psychological functions for their group members which provide them a satisfaction. They provide an outlet for the affiliation needs of the people and form a means of (a) Enhancing a sense of security and power to deal effectively with external threats. (b) Getting some jobs done which members are required to do, for example, collecting information, helping out when someone is tired or sick. 

(3) Multiple or mixed functions- Lastly, group perform both formal and informal functions for accomplishing the needs of the members and goals of the formal organization. A formal group can fulfill several psychological needs (which are otherwise accomplished by informal group) leading to enhanced loyalty, commitment and energy for effective attainment of organizational goals. However, this necessitates a logical design of formal groups. 

Types of Group 

We can classify groups in a number of ways.  

(I) One useful way of classifying groups is on the basis of the type of interdependence that exist among the members of group in accomplishing a task. Fiedler has defined three groups based upon their types of interdependence: interacting, co-acting and counteracting. 

1. In the interacting group the ability of one man to perform his job may depend upon the fact that another has completed his share of the task. An example of this type of group is a production unit working on an assembly line.
2. A co- acting group is designed so that each of the group members does his job relatively independently or other team members. This type of group is exemplified by many sales organizational group such as sales life insurance agency.
3. A counteracting group consists of individuals who are working together for the purpose of negotiating and reconciling opinions and purposes. This group is illustrated by a labour-mangement negotiating team.

 

(II) On the basis of the size, the group can be primary or secondary group.

1. Primary groups- Primary groups are small groups having from two up to twenty members and are based on intimate relationship. Even large groups may be considered primary if face-to-face interaction is possible. Examples of such groups may be family, friendship groups or neighborhood groups.
2. Secondary groups- All large groups are referred to as secondary groups. A secondary group is more formal, general and remote. The members of the secondary group may not have any interest in the problems and pleasures of others. The continuous interaction, co-operation and association of primary groups may not be found in secondary groups.

 

(III) Groups can also be classified as Formal and Informal.

1. Formal groups- Formal groups are created in order to fulfill specific goals and carry on specific tasks which are related to the total organizational mission. Formal groups based on their duration can be permanent or temporary.

 

i)Permanent formal groups  are command group and standing committee

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  • Command group- Command group is a group which is determined by the organizational chart determining the approved formal connection between individuals and organization. Examples are director and faculty members of business school, principal and school teachers, production manager and supervisor.
  • Committee- Standing committee is a permanent committee in an organization to deal with some specific types of problems that may arise more or less on a regular basis. Example of standing committee is a university to discuss various academic and administrative issues.

 

ii) Temporary formal groups are committees or task forces.

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  • Task group- Which may be created to carry out a particular job, but which, once the job is carried out, cease to exist unless some other task is found for them. Thus, an organization may create a task group to review salary policies, to try to invent some proposals for improving relations between the union and management, to think new products and schemes and so on.
  • Adhoc committee- A temporary committee formed by organizational members from across various functional areas for a special purpose. Meeting can also come under this.

 

b) Informal groups- Informal groups are those groups which are not intended by formal authority. They spontaneously come into being to satisfy those needs of individuals which the rigid formal organization is unable to satisfy. Informal groups can be permanent or temporary.   

i)Permanent informal groups 

• Friendship group- These groups are relatively more permanent in nature. They are formed because of the cordial relationship that the member shares with one another. The relationships in these groups can be based on similarity in age, views, etc.

 

ii) Temporary informal groups

• Interest groups- Interest groups are relatively temporary in nature. They are formed when group of employees’ band together to seek common objective or interest, like protesting some organizational policy or joining the union to achieve a higher amount of bonus.

 

(IV) Membership and Reference Group

1.  
   1. Membership group- A membership group is one to which an individual really belongs.
   2. Reference group- A reference group is one to which the individual would like to belong. In fact, an individual may be a member of several groups at a time but he may not participate actively in all such groups but would like to participate in that whose norms are more attractive and gratifying. The attractiveness of the reference group makes the norms of that group more attractive to the individual who aspires to its norms will, therefore become more influential in determining behavior. The reference groups have more relevance to organizational behavior.

 

(V) In groups and Out Groups

1. In groups- The in groups represents a clustering of individual holding prevailing values in a society or, at least, having a dominant place in social functioning. It can be a majority numerically, or it may represent the power structure with its pattern of behavior considered desirable.
2. Out groups- The out groups is the conglomerate looked up as subordinate or marginal in society; it is usually referred to as the minority group even though in certain circumstances, it may represent a numerical majority.

 
 

Characteristics of an effective group 

Every organization is forming a group but it is not compulsory that every group is effective in achieving its goals. Some groups remain ineffective due so many problems. These problems can be personal as well as organizational. Ineffective group is of no use for any organization because they are just consuming the resources of the company. Every company must try to have effective groups and following are the characteristics of effective group- 

Informal climate- Climate of any organization play a very important role in making any group effective and ineffective. The climate in an effective group tends to be informal, comfortable and relaxed. There are no signs of boredom. The group seems to be involved in its task. The climate in an ineffective group reflects boredom and tensions. For example- one can see people whispering to each other or carrying on side conservations. 

Task relevant discussion and participation- In an effective group, only discussions which are pertinent to the task take place and virtually everyone participates in them. If the discussion goes off the track someone brings it back on it soon. In an ineffective group however few peoples dominate the discussion which usually jumps around with little coherence. Little is done by anyone to keep the ground clearly on the track. People make speeches which are obviously intended to impress someone rather than to solve problem at hand. 

Common goal- In an effective group there is a trade off between individual and group goals. Each member of an effective group accepts a less than optimum outcome for himself. The goals of an ineffective group are either ambiguous and are not accepted by its members. 
 

Disagreement- In an effective group disagreement among members on any issue is neither complementary suppressed nor permitted to result in pen warfare. Efforts are made to convince every member about the correct viewpoint. In an ineffective there is a tyranny of minority in which an individual or a sub group is so aggressive that the majority exceeds in order to preserve peace. 

Candour- In an effective group, there is a little evidence to veiled personal attacks or hidden agenda. People give frank expressions to their ideas.  

Action plan- In an effective group, assignments are very clear. Everyone knows his authority and responsibility well. Everyone is given timely feedback on his performance and is helped by the leader in his efforts to meet the goal. 

Leadership- In an effective group, leadership shift from one person to another according to the needs of the situations. It never remains glued at one place or person. 

Conclusion-. We can conclude that a random collection of people is called a group if there is interaction among them, they are psychologically aware of one another, perceive themselves to be a part of the group and assemble together to achieve a common goal.  It is usual that every person wants to join group because it satisfy different need of different individuals.

About the Author

Miss MEgha Rastogi
Lecturer in Human Resource Management
Inatitute of Foreign Trade & Management
Ldhipur Rajput
Moradabad-244011

A-cappela songs for mixed group?

Hello!
I would like to start singing some new songs with my mixed a cappella group so i would like to know if you have any suggestions. or links where I could find some arrangements (free arrangements are very good too!)
thanks!
my group is mostly pop/disney. no barbershop

Google it.