This essay will explain how groups are formed and will discuss how motivation techniques promote effective group work and a well motivated workforce.

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This essay will explain how groups are formed and will discuss how motivation techniques promote effective group work and a well motivated workforce.

A group can be defined as “two or more freely interacting people with shared norms and goals and a common identity” (Kreitner, Kinicki and Buelens 1999). However there is no specific definition to the term ‘group’. Cartwright and Zander (1968) identified eight different definitions of the word all which represent a particular perspective on the most important characteristics of a group.

Mullins (2005) states that “groups are deliberately planned and created by the management as part of the formal organisation structure.” Managers create formal groups to accomplish goals and serve the needs of the organisation. The main purpose of formal groups is to perform specific tasks and achieve specific objectives defined by the organisation. However informal groups are not formed or planned by the management. These develop naturally among employees through communication and interaction within the workplace. Informal groups tends to satisfy employees social needs, for example developing meaningful relationships with other people and obtaining and sharing important information.

Tuckman’s (1965) suggests that a group normally has to pass through a five stages before it functions in an effective way. His theory focuses on the way which a team tackles a task from initial formation if the team through to the completion of the task. The five stages of Tuckman’s theory are forming, storming, and norming, performing and adjourning. At first stage the group get together and initially gets to know each other. Next stage the members become more aware of each other, they become more willing to bring their views into the open. There will be disagreements within the group about the task and the arrangements, which may lead to conflict. Norming is a stage where employees cooperate with each other and they tend to get their work done. In the next stage the group works well and gets on with their job to the required standard and achieves its objectives. The last stage of the Tuckman’s theory is adjouring, groups members usually disperse at this stage and they tend to reflect on the task that has been carried out.

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According to Cole (2004) “motivation is the term used to describe those processes, both instinctive and rational, by which people seek to satisfy the basic drivers, perceived needs and personal goals, which trigger human behaviour”. However Cook et al. (1997) stated another interpretation of motivation whereby it is “A conscious decision to perform one or more activities with greater effort then other competing activities.”

Nowadays managers use motivation techniques in a number of ways, one that every manager commits themselves and set company goals for their employees to aim for. By doing this it identifies the purpose of ...

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