Understanding and Managing People

Tutorial 12

Group formation & structure

Task 1

• Students in groups to spend 5 minutes reflecting on the last lecture on group formation and structure.

•What are their key learning points? •And where do they need to develop

their understanding?

Task 2 (one question per group)

• How would you distinguish between a group and a team? Give some examples of groups or teams, in the workplace, school/college, etc.

• What are the stages of Tuckman’s model of group development? How useful is Tuckman’s model of group development for managers wanting to develop effective teams? At what stage, should managers intervene, if at all, in Tuckman’s model? Why?

• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Belbin’s team role theory as guide for a manager wishing to construct a team that will be effective?

• What are the problems with virtual teamworking for (a) organisations (b) individual employees. How might these problems be overcome? If possible, use examples where you have been part of a virtual team.

Task 3• Think about the nature of group dynamics. • See Huc and Buc core text (chapter 10 and 11, group formation

and structure respectively) for issues affecting group work and dynamics

• Individually, think of two examples from college, university and/or organisation with which you are familiar. Identify:

• (a) one group you enjoyed working with and • (b) one group you disliked working with. • clarify if group was work or non-work group, formal or

informal group.• Contrast why you enjoyed working in one group but not the

other. Consider group dynamics in terms of issues facing the group or group structure dimensions like power, status, liking and so forth. Is it possible to change (b) to (a)?

Task 3…• In groups of about 6-8:• Each person share your answers including positive and

negative experiences• Any common factors in positive and negative experiences• What conclusions can you reach about the way groups should

be organized, structured and/ or managed?

Task 2…• A group is a group of people who consider themselves as part

of an identifiable unit, in which they are related to each other in a meaningful way.• They share dispositions through shared sense of collective

identity• Minimum members• A communication network• A shared sense of collective identity • Group structure

• In a team members are individual but accountable to single cause• Focus on team goals• Shares responsibility and roles

Task 3…

Task 3…

Task 3 …

Task 3…• Virtual teams• A team that relies on technology-mediated communication, while

crossing boundaries of geography, time, culture and organization to accomplish an interdependent task

• Requires complex technological applications• Need of human resource development interventions• Lack of knowledge about new technologies • Not suitable for all employees to their psychological makeup• Not an option for all