-more input which creates more possibilites to a solution for the situation
-Group decisions help to combine individual strengths of the group members and hence has a set of varied skill sets applied in the decision making process.
-Individual opinions can be biased or affected with pre-conceives notions are restricted perspectives, group decision help to get a broader perspective owing to differences of perception between individual in the group.
-A group decision always means enhanced collective understanding of the course of action to be taken after the decision is taken.
Group decision making has a higher output and is generally faster than that of individual decisions. There is a higher input of information from all of the group members combined than there is from individual brainstorming and research. This is because there is a shared responsibility among the teammates and the workload is spread out to be combined later, taking less demand off each individual. Being involved in group decision making also avoids biases which are present much stronger in individual decision making. Group work opens up a broader range of individual feelings to create a more accurate decision. To further the advantages of group decisions, a sense of team spirit is imbedded giving the member a sense of belonging, increasing output from that individual to combine with the entire groups efforts(Manohar, 2000).
Researchers tested the performance done by 760 students in different group sizes.They were comparing how many problems were solved individually versus in a group. They were given a few letters-to-numbers coding problems on their own first, followed by in groups of two, three, four and five. The study proved that the students solved the problems more effciently and effectively in larger groups. Groups of three,four and five solved the problems quicker and more accurately than the rest. The individuals that scored the best results on the exact same tasks under performed the groups with the worst score...humans working alongside one another generate good combined techniques and eventually better ideas. (Haffenden. J.R., March 2009 Para 1)
"Kelloggs uses teamwork consistently throughout their infrastructure to maximise production...an apprentice named Brandon Cornuke recently told Business Week that 'Teamwork and collaboration are cornerstones of the Kellogg experience. We do practically everything in teams here: we study in groups, plan events in committees, attend class in "sections," and run for offices in "slates." In the fall, packs of about 30 incoming students travel all over the world as part of pre-term orientation.'" (Haffenden. J.R.,March 2009 Para 1)
Cons
Listed below are disadvantages of working in a team
- more time consuming than the process of individual decision making.
-group decisions take longer to be finalized since there are many opinions to be considered and valued.
-in case of authoritarian or minority group decision making, the people whose opinions are not considered tend to be left out from the decision making process and hence the team spirit ceases to grow.
-the responsibility and accountability of the decisions are not equally shared in some cases which leads to a split in the group and hence hamper the overall efficiency of the group
Groupthink:
Tendency of the members of a group to yield to the desire for concensus or unanimity at the cost of considering alternative courses of action. Group-think is said to be the reason why intelligent and knowledgeable people make disastrous decisions (Business Dictionary, n.d).
"Indicators of teams that are not working effectively include staff moaning and complaining, inability to deal with issues, small cliques developing within teams, over reliance on team captains and a lack of individual/team commitment to projects. These clues indicate that the group has lost sight of the goals, or responsibility towards the project as a whole" (Haffenden. J.R., March 2009 Para 1).
Pros & Cons of Individual and Group Decisions
Group Decisions
Pros
Listed below are advantages of working in a team.
-more input which creates more possibilites to a solution for the situation
-Group decisions help to combine individual strengths of the group members and hence has a set of varied skill sets applied in the decision making process.
-Individual opinions can be biased or affected with pre-conceives notions are restricted perspectives, group decision help to get a broader perspective owing to differences of perception between individual in the group.
-A group decision always means enhanced collective understanding of the course of action to be taken after the decision is taken.
Group decision making has a higher output and is generally faster than that of individual decisions. There is a higher input of information from all of the group members combined than there is from individual brainstorming and research. This is because there is a shared responsibility among the teammates and the workload is spread out to be combined later, taking less demand off each individual. Being involved in group decision making also avoids biases which are present much stronger in individual decision making. Group work opens up a broader range of individual feelings to create a more accurate decision. To further the advantages of group decisions, a sense of team spirit is imbedded giving the member a sense of belonging, increasing output from that individual to combine with the entire groups efforts(Manohar, 2000).
Researchers tested the performance done by 760 students in different group sizes.They were comparing how many problems were solved individually versus in a group. They were given a few letters-to-numbers coding problems on their own first, followed by in groups of two, three, four and five. The study proved that the students solved the problems more effciently and effectively in larger groups. Groups of three,four and five solved the problems quicker and more accurately than the rest. The individuals that scored the best results on the exact same tasks under performed the groups with the worst score...humans working alongside one another generate good combined techniques and eventually better ideas. (Haffenden. J.R., March 2009 Para 1)
"Kelloggs uses teamwork consistently throughout their infrastructure to maximise production...an apprentice named Brandon Cornuke recently told Business Week that 'Teamwork and collaboration are cornerstones of the Kellogg experience. We do practically everything in teams here: we study in groups, plan events in committees, attend class in "sections," and run for offices in "slates." In the fall, packs of about 30 incoming students travel all over the world as part of pre-term orientation.'" (Haffenden. J.R.,March 2009 Para 1)
Cons
Listed below are disadvantages of working in a team
Groupthink:
Tendency of the members of a group to yield to the desire for concensus or unanimity at the cost of considering alternative courses of action. Group-think is said to be the reason why intelligent and knowledgeable people make disastrous decisions (Business Dictionary, n.d).
"Indicators of teams that are not working effectively include staff moaning and complaining, inability to deal with issues, small cliques developing within teams, over reliance on team captains and a lack of individual/team commitment to projects. These clues indicate that the group has lost sight of the goals, or responsibility towards the project as a whole" (Haffenden. J.R., March 2009 Para 1).