A Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice

● Circle groupsare faster in solving complex problems than wheel groups.
● All-channel groupsare the most flexible and function well in complex, open-ended
situations.

The level of satisfaction for individuals is lowest in the circle group, fairly high in the
all-channel group and mixed in the wheel group, where the leader is more satisfied
than the outlying members.

Task and maintenance functions

The following functions need to be carried out in groups:

● task– initiating, information seeking, diagnosing, opinion-seeking, evaluating,
decision-managing;
● maintenance – encouraging, compromising, peace-keeping, clarifying, summa-
rizing, standard-setting.

It is the job of the group leader or leaders to ensure that these functions operate effec-
tively. Leaderless groups can work, but only in special circumstances. A leader is
almost essential – whether official or self-appointed. The style adopted by a leader
affects the way the group operates. If the leader is respected, this will increase group
cohesiveness and its ability to get things done. An inappropriately authoritarian style
creates tension and resentment. An over-permissive style means that respect for the
leader diminishes and the group does not function so effectively.

294 ❚ Organizational behaviour

Figure 20.1 Channels of communication within groups

Wheel Circle All-channel

A

B

B

B

C

C

D

D

E

A E

A

C

D

E