Management and Organizational Studies 2181A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Role Conflict, Social Loafing, Punctuated Equilibrium

• School: Western University
• Department: Management and Organizational Studies
• Course: Management and Organizational Studies 2181A/B
• Professor: Tony Francolini

Document Summary

Group: two or more people interacting independently to achieve a common goal. Groups are important b/c: they exert a tremendous influence on us, they are the social mechanisms by which we acquire many beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviours. Formal work groups: groups that are established by organizations to facilitate the achievement of organizational goals. Intentionally designed to channel individual effort in an appropriate direction: types include; task forces, project reams and committees. Informal groups: groups that emerge naturally in response to the common interests of organizational members: seldom sanctioned by the organization. Forming: members try to test the waters and orient themselves. Storming: conflict often emerges now, confrontation and criticism. Norming: resolve issues and develop social consensus. Performing: group devotes its energies towards task accomplishment. Adjourning: rites and rituals are common now. Punctuated equilibrium model: a model of group development that describes how groups with deadlines are affected by their first meetings and crucial midpoint transitions.