Group

Group

A group refers to two or more people who share a common meaning and evaluation of themselves and come together to achieve common goals. In other words, a group is a collection of people who interact with one another; accept rights and obligations as members and who share a common identity. A group may also be defined as set of people who have the same interests or objectives and who organize themselves to work together and strive towards a common goal.

According to Shaw, “Group is defined as two or more persons who are interacting with each other in such a manner that each person influences and is influenced by each other.”

Groups exist in every organization and it is believed that “an organization will function best when its personnel function not as individuals but as members of highly effective work groups with high performance goals.”

Characteristics of a Group:

Regardless of the size or the purpose, every group has similar characteristics:

(a) Two or more persons (if it is one person, it is not a group)

(b) Formal social structure (the rules of the game are defined)

(c) Common fate (they will swim together)

(d) Common goals (the destiny is the same and emotionally connected)

(e) Face-to-face interaction (they will talk with each other)

(h) Recognition by others (yes, you belong to the group).

(f) Interdependence (each one is complimentary to the other)

(g) Self-definition as group members (what one is who belongs to the group)

(h) A hierarchical group structure i.e., clearly defined role for each member

(i) Standard norms of behaviour

(j) Influence of interaction with each other.