Characteristics of Group - What is a Group? | Organizational Behavior

Features/Characteristics of Group
What is a Group ?| Organizational Behaviour
Characteristics of a team
Management Notes

A group is the collection of two or more than two people working together, interacting and interdependent having common goal. In our daily life group has been a central part. We belong to many different types of groups in our daily lives like family, friends, schools, offices, etc. There are certain features or characteristics of a group which are as follows:

1. Collection of two or more people:

Groups are the collection of two or more people. Groups are composed of two or more persons in a social interaction. One plus one makes a group and groups and groups form an organization. A single person cannot form a group as it at least requires two people for group formation.

2. Common goal or interest:

In a group every members share common interest or goals. For example, members of a marketing department constitute a group that is sustained by the mutual interest of the members. The shared goal determines and identifies that all the members of the group have common goals.

3. Interaction and interdependent:

In any group there is interaction and interdependence among the group members either physically or virtually to accomplish the group goal. For example, co-workers may work side by side on related tasks in a work unit.

4. Collective identity:

Groups have collective identity, not the sum of individual members. Perhaps, it is the awareness of each other that most clearly differentiates a group from an aggregation of individuals. Groups are composed of people who recognize each other as a member of their group and can distinguish these individuals from non-members.
5. A stable structure:
Groups have a defined structure which gives relationship that keeps group members together the stable functioning as a unit. It clarifies roles, authority and responsibility of each group members which is important to accomplish group goal.