Impact of Group Dynamics in Work Organization in the Food and Beverage Industry

Abstract of Impact of Group Dynamics in Work Organization in the Food and Beverage Industry

The study examines the impact of Group Dynamics in Work Organisation in the Food and Beverage Industry, with special reference to Nestle Nigeria plc.

Chapter One of Impact of Group Dynamics in Work Organization in the Food and Beverage Industry

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

The study of groups and their impact on work performance follows after the Hawthorne experiment of 1920’s through 1930’s. A group consists of two or more people who work with one another regularly to achieve one or more common goals. The group members were dependent on one another and interact to achieve goals. Thomas (2007)

The study of group in work-setting has become prominent since the pioneering effect of the Hawthorne researchers. Although, there is no one universally acceptable definition of group, it has engaged the attention of many prominent researchers. Kurt Lewin, for instance popularized the term group dynamics in the 1930’s, but over the years different Connotations had been attached to it such as:-

· Being used to describe how a group should be organized and conducted.

· Consisting of a set of techniques such as role playing, brain storming, buzz groups, leaderless groups, group therapy, sensitivity training, team building and transactional analysis.

· Being viewed from the perspective of the internal nature of groups, how they are formed, their structure processes and function and how they affect individual members

· Other group and the organization (this is the closest to Kurt Lewin’s original conception).

Thus, a group is more than an aimless crowd of people waiting in an airport lodge or at a bus-stop. Why do individuals form into groups? Groups at work are formed as a direct consequence of an organization’s need to differentiate itself. Differentiation refers to the breaking down of the organization into functions, but also the formation of groups to support the tasks assigned to there functions.

At the workplace, most tasks are undertaken by groups and teams, rather than by an individual, thus in order for any organization to fulfill its mission, the role of groups are of paramount importance. However individuals themselves need groups to provide protection, stimulus, assistance, social and psychological requirements .Group therefore is useful to both the organization and individual members.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The schemed effort fast-tracked by most organizations in ensuring effective-service-delivery in most organization still face relative challenges through which organizational goals is being hindered.Some of this threats includes:

· Differences or feelings of the wrong from right among groups

· Contradiction attitudes and behaviour different from organizational expectations

· Existence of grapevine, whose raw information could mar the success of the organization

· Sentiments, ideals and prejudices that trails within the informal group.

· Appointment of group leader not by performance or merit, but by charisma.

· Differences in beliefs and thoughts.

· Leadership problem .

· The insensitively to interdependency needs, leading to WIN-LOSE REWARD SYSTEM.

· Slim- cohesive spirit.

· Lack of team- spirit within the group.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The general objective of this research is to examine the impacts of group dynamism in work organization.

Thus, the study specifically seeks to:-

· Examine the role of group dynamism in work- organization

· Identify key-processes for effective group performance in an organization.

· Identify various problems or threatening factors that affect group system in an organization.

· Understand how these problems can be properly tackled.

· Understand the type of group that exist in an organization.

· Understand the stage through which groups are formed and how it can be sustained within the business circle.

· Enumerate differential or divergent nature that could affect a group and how they can be unraveled.

· Identify the input, process and output expected of a group in an organization.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

· The study is important because the outcome will enable the researcher to know the type of group that exists in work organization.

· The outcome will expose the lingering factors that affect group effectiveness and how those challenges can be tackled.

· It will assist the researcher to know the stages through which groups within the work sector is formed.

· The outcome will expose the influence or impact of group dynamics in work organization .

· It will help the researcher to know the input, process and output of an effective group system

· Establish the fact of how sentiments ideology and interactions of a group can be stronger regardless of their inherent diversities

· The outcome will enable the researcher to know how group cohesiveness can be sustained, achieved and maintained