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Group Norms & Productivity?

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What are the conditions under which group norms most influence productivity? Why? What are the important factors mitigating the influence of groups norms? Why?

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This solution examines the conditions under which group norms most influence productivity, as well as the important factors mitigating the influence of groups norms. Examples are provided.

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1. WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH GROUP NORMS MOST INFLUENCE PRODUCTIVITY? WHY?
It seems that the more interdependent the group tasks, the more the group norms influence productivity. To understand this, let's look at the various types of tasks in relation to productivity and group members.
• Tasks can be conjunctive (the results or productivity are determined by the weakest member);
• Disjunctive (the results or productivity are determined by the strongest member); or
• Additive (the results are the sum of individual performances).
A key issue is whether group tasks are interdependent, i.e., there is some kind of division of labor whereby different members enact different, more specialized behaviors that are interlocking, with group norms being more operative toward higher productivity. Groups tend to have more influence over their members when tasks are interdependent because members must rely upon each other more to achieve group goals. A classic example of interdependence has been Eliot Aronson's jigsaw puzzle classroom, which has become more commonly known with variations as "cooperative learning." In a jigsaw puzzle, all the pieces must be present and in the right place to put the puzzle together. What happens if we form students into groups and see that each group member has a separate piece of information that is required if the group is to complete its project (and perhaps win a prize)? Students cooperate more with one another. This implies that group norms have more impact in this situation, than say the disjunctive task mentioned above. http://syp5105-01.fa04.fsu.edu/Guide8.html
Interdependent tasks in groups have several consequences. One of the most prominent consequences is the emergence of social roles and social norms. Social roles emerge from group norms, from the specialized divisions of labor and interlocking positions that even the most rudimentary groups tend to create. In formal organizations, social roles become positions and people are ...

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