Page 329 - Fundamentals of Management Myths Debunked (2017)_Flat

4 group size

Group size affects a group’s behavior, but the

effect depends on what criteria you’re using. 6

small group Better at: Large group Better at:

(5–7 members) (12 or more members)
• Completing tasks faster Lantapix/Shutterstock • Problem solving

Lantapix/Shutterstock
• Figuring out what to do • Finding facts
• Getting job done • Gaining diverse input

Drawbacks of Large Groups: When using large work

• Individual productivity of each group mem- groups, managers
ber declines as the group expands, which is should find a way to

7
known as social loafing —reducing effort identify individual
because dispersion of responsibility encour- efforts.
ages individuals to slack off.

— When a group’s results can’t be attributed
to any single person, individuals may be tempted to become “free riders” and coast on the
group’s efforts because they think their contributions can’t be measured.

5 group Cohesiveness

The degree to which members are attracted to one another

and share the group’s goals

• Groups that experience a lot of internal disagreement and lack of cooperation are less
effective than are groups in which individuals generally agree, cooperate, and like

each other.

• The more that members are attracted to one another and the more that a group’s goals
align with each individual’s goals, the greater the group’s cohesiveness.

• Highly cohesive groups are more effective than are those with less cohesiveness.

However, the relationship between cohesiveness

and effectiveness is more complex. 8

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