Term
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Definition
Goal: to understand the nature of decision making in small groups
Author: Janis, 1972 |
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Term
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Definition
Group Cohesiveness: extent to which group members are willing to work together
Affiliative Concerns: when group members withhold their input rather than face rejection from group
Homogeneity of Members: group similarity, same education level; ie. thinking the same way
Group Insulation: group's ability to remain unaffected by outside influences
High Stress: pressure exerted on members by issues both inside and outside group
No Impartial Leadership: when the leader is a member it causes problems; ie. personal adgendas
No Decision Making Procedures: failure to provide norms for solving group issues |
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Term
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Definition
Problem Solving Groups: sets of individuals whose task is to make decisions & provide policy recommendations
Task-Oriented Groups: sets of individuals whose task is to complete jobs assigned to them
Cohesiveness: extent to which group members are willing to work together
Affiliative Constraints: when members withhold their input in fear of rejection from group
Homogeneity: group similarity |
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Term
GROUP THINK
Ways to Prevent
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Definition
Oversight & Control: establish parlimentary committee; monitor ongoing policy ventures; link fates of members
Embrace Whistle-Blowing: voice doubts; avoid supressing concerns; questions assumptions; debate issues
Allow for Objection: protect objectors; allow members to exit; do not play down moral implications; acknowledge private concerns in the group
Balancing Consensus & Majority Rule: alter rules governing choice, relieve pressure of minority positions; break down subgroups |
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Term
GROUP THINK
Evaluations
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How authors define communication |
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Definition
Positives
-Heursitic
-Withstood test of time
Negatives
-Narrow scope
-Testability
Define Communication
-Socio-psychological
-Small groups
-Organizational
-Positivistic/empirical |
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Term
ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION THEORY (OIT)
Goal/Author |
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Definition
Goal: to describe how organizations collect, manage and use the information they receive (needs to find a way to manage information in order to be successful)
Author: Weick, 1969 |
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Term
ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION THEORY (OIT)
Related Theories
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Assumptions
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Definition
Related: Darwin's Theory & General Systems Theory
Assumptions:
-Organizations exsist in an information environment
-Info varies in terms of the level of ambiguity to the organization as a whole
-Info processing reduces equivocality -> makes it less ambiguious so goals can be achieved |
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