Group More than two

individuals

Definition of Group
A collection of individuals, the members accept a
common task, become interdependent in their
performance, and interact with one another to
promote its accomplishment.

Formal and Informal Groups

Group

Formal
Group

Command
Group

Informal
Group

Task
Group

Friendship
Group

Interest
Group

Social
Group

Why People Join Groups

Social needs - groups provide a vehicle for interacting with other

Security needs - group can act as an effective buffer between the

employee and the demands/stresses of the organization.

Esteem needs - often fulfilled by the prestige of the group that

group that group membership conveys on the member.

Proximity and Attraction - two facets of interpersonal

relationships. Proximity involves the physical walking distance
between people performing a job

Attraction - prompts group formation because of perceptual,

attitudinal, performance, or motivational similarities.

group goals - individuals join groups because they are

attracted to the group's goals, although group goals are not
always identifiable.

economic reasons - individuals join groups because they

believe membership will result in economic betterment (e.glabor union with a record of securing members higher
wages)

Basic Comparison of Formal and Informal Groups

Formal Groups

These groups are formed by the organization to

carry out specific tasks.

Command group
Task groups

 Command Group: Groups that are determined

by the organization chart and composed of
individuals who report directly to a given
manager.
Represented in the organization chart.

Permanent in nature.

Members report to common supervisors.

Functional reporting relationship exists.

Task Group: Groups composed of individuals

brought together to complete a specific job task;
their existence is often temporary because once
the task is completed, the group disbands.
Formed to carry out specific tasks.
Temporary in nature.

Informal Groups

Natural groupings of employees

that to fulfill social needs ,

How It Emerges
Informal groups are encouraged but controlled
in most organizations so as to promote employee
job satisfaction in the organizations
environment.
Most of these groups are usually monitored by
the organizations so the discussions or actions
dont get out of hand.

Informal Group bifurcates into:

Social group - happens merely by socializing of more than two
person for any casual conversation
Interest group - established to meet a mutual objective (a
group formed to lobby management for more fringe benefits)
Friendship group - formed because members have something
in common.

Leaders in Informal Groups

There may be several leaders within groups for one reason or
another, but the fact remains that a leader would always be an
important factor within the group for the influence or experience
they give.
A leader is mostly, but not necessarily, an important or high
ranking employee in the organization.
An informal leader could also benefit from some organizational
benefits because of his status within his colleagues.
Leaders are usually spotted in organizations as the people a ratio of
the employees go to for advice, like hanging out with or even sit
beside him in the cafeteria.
Even within managers in the company, a leader emerges as the on
most of the other managers look up to for decisions or advice.

Benefits/Problems
Benefits
Makes a more effective total system
Lightens workload on management
Helps get the work done
Tends to encourage cooperation

Problems
Develops undesirable rumors
Encourage negative attitude
Resist change
Leads to interpersonal and intergroup
conflicts

Fill in gaps in a managers abilities

Gives satisfactions and stability to work
groups

Rejects and harasses some employees

Weakens motivation and satisfaction

Improves communication

Operates outside of management control

Provides a safety valve for employee

emotions

Support conformity

Encourages managers to plan and act more Develops role conflicts

carefully

Conclusion
The informal group are a very important aspect of
everyday life in any working environment with
multiple employees. The higher the number of
employees, the more informal groups an
organization is likely to have.
Every employee in an organization belongs to at
least one informal group.
Informal group do not necessarily have to do with
the daily work performed in the organization

Thank You