ABSTRACT
The term ‘group’ refers to two or more people who have face-to-face communication, are interdependent, perceive themselves and others to be part of the group, and strive towards a common goal. It is important to recognize how that group functions as part of a larger organization. The organization culture, strategy, authority structure, and rewards may influence the group’s behaviour and performance. Characteristics of group members may also influence the results of the group. A role is a typical way in which individuals behave within a particular social context. There are typically two types of roles: task roles and maintenance roles. Because of unresolved emotional issues, self-centred behaviour may dominate a group in its infancy. Norms, a set of generally agreed upon informal rules, have profound effects on organizational behaviour. Cohesiveness refers to pressures group members face to remain in the group and is influenced by various factors. Cohesiveness aids performance if the group’s goals are consistent with management's interests. Although different models of group development can be distinguished, one popular model classifies the stages as forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. The use of groups for the purposes described above may have advantages, but it may also have a dark side.
