Organizational change. Lecture 6 groups and organizations

LECTURE 6 GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS

UNDERSTANDING GROUPS

Types of Groups

Primary and Secondary Groups In-Groups and Out-Groups Reference Groups

Studying Small Groups

Methods of Small-Group

Research Size of a Group Coalitions Physical Environment

UNDERSTANDING ORGANIZATIONS

Formal Organizations and Bureaucracies

Development of Formal

Organizations Characteristics of a Bureaucracy

1 Division of labor

2 Hierarchy of authority

3 Written rules and regulations

4 Impersonality

5 Security

Bureaucratization as a Process Oligarchy: Rule by a Few Bureaucracy's Other Face

Voluntary Associations

Organizational Change

Goal Multiplication Goal Succession

♦ SOCIAL POLICY AND ORGANIZATIONS: REGULATING SMOKING

Americans of all ages, all stations in

life, and all types of disposition are

forever forming associations.... In

every case, at the head of any new

undertaking, where in France you would

find the government... in the United

States you are sure to find an

association.

Alexis de Tocqueville

Democracy in America

♦ How do sociologists distinguish between various types of groups?

♦ How do sociologists study interactions within small groups?

♦ What are some of the positive and negative consequences of bureaucracy?

♦ To what extent are the characteristics of bureaucracies in the People's Republic of China similar to those of bureaucracies in the United States and other western societies?

♦ Why do so many Americans join voluntary associations?

♦ How are interactions at the workplace affected by smoking and by the regulation of smoking?

Americans are joiners, whether they join chamber music groups, street gangs, churches, athletic teams, labor unions, or professional organizations. Many of us ask, "When is the next meeting?" almost as often as we ask, "What should we have for dinner?" As was pointed out in the earlier chapters, social interac­tion is necessary for the transmission of culture and the survival of a society. Our lives are filled with relatively random and inconsequential inter­actions, such as conversations with cashiers in stores and supermarkets. However, many social interactions are planned or anticipated. We relate to certain people because we like them, they have something to offer us, they are working to accom­plish a goal we share, or we have no other choice. This chapter will consider the impact of groups and organizations on social interaction. It will begin by noting the distinctions between various types of groups. Particular attention will be given to small groups and to the analysis of interactionist theorists regarding the dynamics of small groups. How and why formal organizations came into existence will be examined, and Max Weber's model of the modern bureaucracy will be de- j scribed. The tendency of Americans to join vol­untary associations, as noted by Alexis de Tocqueville, will be discussed. The social policy section will analyze the controversy over regula­tion of smoking by government and employers.

UNDERSTANDING GROUPS

In everyday speech, people use the term group to describe any collection of individuals, whether three strangers sharing an elevator or thousands at a rock concert. However, in sociological terms, a group is any number of people with similar norms, values, and expectations who regularly and consciously interact. College sororities and fraternities, dance companies, tenants' associa­tions, and Army platoons are all considered ex­amples of groups.

The debating society discussed above is typical of groups found within American society. It has agreed-upon values and social norms. All mem­bers want to improve their public speaking skills and believe that informed debate on issues of public policy is an essential aspect of democracy. In addition, like many groups, the society has both a formal and an informal structure. It has monthly meetings, run by elected officers, in a student union building. At the same time, unoffi­cial leadership roles are held by the club's most experienced debaters, who often coach new members regarding debating strategies and tech­niques.

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