Advantages & Disadvantages of Group Cohesiveness & Productivity

Supervisors form workplace groups as part of departments, such as human resources or marketing, and to complete projects needing the work of more than one employee. Work teams become cohesive as the team members learn about each others' personalities and strengths and weaknesses. Managers and team leaders may take steps to improve group productivity. Productivity measurements for groups include team-building activities and morale boosters.

Group Cohesiveness AdvantagesOver time, members of cohesive groups develop shared values and team loyalty. The familiarity of team members creates smoother, more-effective communication. When working toward a common goal, individual team members bring varied skills and points of view to the project. Group members can fill in for each others' lack of knowledge or shortage of skill. Group Cohesiveness DisadvantagesGroup conformity and group-think are two of the potential hazards of high group cohesiveness. Group conformity happens when teams members adopt similar behaviors, usually in an attempt to fit in or to reduce disagreements between group members. This set of behaviors becomes the group norm. Team members conforming to group norms may cause lowered productivity or lack of creativity and innovation. Group-think happens when individual group members lose the ability to think for themselves and rely on the group to make their decisions. Group Productivity AdvantagesProductivity comes from increases in employee production, measured as units per hour. Productivity may also lead to elevated levels of innovation. Efficiency in technology, labor and management lead to higher productivity rates. Group productivity methods deal with labor efficiency and motivating employees to work harder. Managers may attempt to influence the group by creating high-productivity group norms. Group productivity and cohesiveness may be gained by the team sharing success and status. Group Productivity DisadvantagesWhile there is little disadvantage to productivity, failed attempts to increase productivity may have adverse affects. Managers attempting to duplicate the positive affects of success may manufacture success by setting easier group goals. This leads to teams who underproduce while thinking they're overproducing. On the other hand, attempting to raise productivity by setting the bar too high can lower morale when team members fail to reach the goal.