Self-Directed Work Group Case Study

Within the context of a small group one can distinguish between five different entities, namely; The Primary group: The basic societal unit to which one belongs to, including family for instance, The Casual or Social Group: a group envisioned for virginally enjoyable determinations, The Learning or Educational: A assemblage primarily anticipated to be used as a means to educate its associates, The Work Group: A group premeditated to achieve a detailed assignment, and lastly the Self-Directed Work team: A form of work group that is not bound by a managerial system. Tubbs et al. (2012:228)
Tubbs et al. (2012:229) describes cohesion as the ‘togetherness’ of a group or the extent of their ability to work together. It is considered a by-product

In addition two procedural behaviours assist: (1) maintaining goal orientation and (2) pursuing issues systematically Tubbs et al. (2012:229).
Idea Development as stated by Tubbs et al. (2012:229) can be achieved by following a sequence of questions developed by John Dewey called the ‘standard agenda’:
Question Number: Question:
1. What limits the specific nature of the problem?
2. What are the causes and consequences of the problem?
3. What things must an acceptable solution to the problem accomplish?
4. What solutions are available?
5. What is the best solution?
6. What needs to be done to implement the solution?
Tubbs et al.

Naturally, an SDWT has somewhere between 2 and 25 associates, however it is said an optimum SDWT is amongst 5 and 9 participants. An SDWT is parallel to a ‘skunk works’ except that an SDWT is not momentary and is not restricted to a single assignment. SDWT members use their company's mission statement to develop their purpose, which must be meaningful and valuable to the company. SDWT’s work extremely effectively and efficiently due to group members perceptions of fair treatment within the group and control over who is on the team. Being in a cohesive group leads to greater effectiveness from individuals in the group. Purposes might include problem solving, growing sales and efficiency, career preparation, and product upgrading (TTN,