Abstract This paper discusses how group dynamics are central to the effective functioning of the work group. It shows how by understanding the group processes which affect people's roles in their place of work, is an understanding of the three major aspects of groups: managing conflict, communication and trust linked with social interdependence. It reviews these three concepts in turn and shows how although some groups struggle with a new structure, the future lies in achieving good communication, managing conflicts (including the hidden agenda) and developing healthy relationships, which will lead to trust and social interdependence. The success of a group rests not only with these but also with the group members as individuals and their ability to achieve a fuller harmony and healthy balance on the physical, psychological, spiritual and social level.
From the Paper "A conflict situation within groups can be seen as an opportunity to grow, however it can also contain risks to the healthy state of a group. It is not the presence of conflicts but the way they are managed, which determines whether they are a positive or a negative force within a group (Johnson & Johnson, 2000, p.381). Martin Luther King postulated in 1964 (and the sentiment applies to small groups as much as large): "Mankind [sic] must evolve for all human conflict a method, which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love". Many groups spend considerable time trying to reach agreement which "satisfies our needs and meets our goals" (Johnson & Johnson, 2000, p.383). Conflicts arise in groups over the relevance of agenda. One group member may comment that he/ she is not interested in a specific program being organized by someone else."
Abstract This paper provides a group assessment on two key variables, which are the ability of each group member to communicate and share information and their ability to achieve each individual assigned task. The author points out that data on the group's dynamics will be evaluated in terms of these variables. The paper relates that the results of this evaluation will be addressed and recommendations will be made regarding the group and its effectiveness.
From the Paper "Group settings offer participants a number of challenges in order to facilitate success. Unfortunately, many groups are thrown together for a given purpose without consideration of the contributions that each member may bring to the setting, as well as the possibility that there may be problems with communication or in sharing the workload. A group assessment was conducted with regards to two distinct variables, including the ease in communication amongst group members and the delegation of task assignments that were successfully accomplished by each member. These variables were evaluated in greater to determine the effectiveness of the group dynamic as a whole, and the following discussion will identify the assessment process as a whole."
Abstract This paper looks at the sociological concept of group dynamics. It claims that many theories have been written about the topic, but the best way to experience this phenomena is to watch students on campus. This paper is the personal account and observations of a student studying group dynamics.
From the paper:
"Group dynamics is the term given to the scientific study of group behavior, and it is of crucial sociological importance if we wish to advance our knowledge and understanding of the nature of groups, their development and the relationships that exist within and between them. The majority of social scientists examine the concepts of group dynamics through the collation of empirical research and the development of scientific theories. This paper, however, will focus on the application of these theories and issues in relation to specific aspects of everyday life on campus."
Abstract General Dynamics represents a market leader within the aerospace and defense industry; designer of products and services aiming at meeting the needs of most demanding customers all over the world, thus creating great value for its shareholders. This paper offers an extended overview of the General Dynamics Corporation. A thorough view of its history, activities, technologic development, mergers and divestitures, as well as short summary of its financials are summarized within the paper.
Outline:
Introduction
Company Overview
Company History
The 50's and the Birth of General Dynamics The 60's and 70's
The 80's
The 90's
The 2000's
Financials of General Dynamics
From the Paper "The beginnings of General Dynamics can be traced to Holland Torpedo Boat Company, ownership of John Philip Holland. At the end of 19th century, the company developed and subsequently built at Lewis Nixon's Crescent Shipyard (Elizabethport, New Jersey) the U.S. Navy's first submarines. It was there that the revolutionary submarine boat named Holland VI was build, with its keel being actually laid down in 1896. After its official launch on 17 May 1897, the submarine was finally purchased by the Navy and subsequently renamed USS Holland. On 12 October 1900, USS Holland was officially commissioned and became the U.S. Navy first submarine, being known later as the SS-1. "
Abstract The paper carefully examines the dynamics of OPEC including identification and assessment of the factors that influenced the determination of the (1) political dynamics of the organization, (2) the economic dynamics of OPEC, (3) the international role of the organization and (4) structural changes in OPEC.
From the Paper "Gilpin stated that control through the distribution of power has, throughout history, been characterized by: (1) hegemony or imperialism, in which a single powerful state "dominates the lesser states in the system"; (2) bipolarity, in which "two powerful states control ? interactions within and between their respective spheres of influence"; and "a balance of power in which three or more states control one another's actions through diplomatic maneuver, shifting alliances, and open conflict." Keohane, however, tended to discount the dominant capacity and willingness to exercise such capacity accorded to power states in Gilpin's assessment of international control. In this context, Keohane stated that claims "for the general validity of the theory of hegemonic stability are often exaggerated. The dominance of a single great power may contribute to order in world politics, in particular circumstances, but it is not a sufficient condition ?." Keohane added that hegemony "and cooperation are not alternatives; on the contrary, they are often found in symbiotic relationships with one another." Gilpin recognized a greater power for the hegemonic state."
Abstract This paper explains that the company General Dynamics was founded to generate value meant for shareholders through the use of industrial dynamics by harnessing technology which captures motion, energy, potential and development. The author points out that the strength of the company emanates from the expertise of the core technologies, which form the markets addressed, and the accurate implementation of the management's vision for getting the maximum return by fulfilling the requirements of the customer, present and in the future. The paper concludes that strategic planning is the sole path in which a top management impact the manner in which the organization functions; therefore, in an organization like General Dynamics, the planning process undergoes constant improvement, which is executed continually at the tactical stage across the entire company.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Analysis
International Business
Legal, Ethical and Social Responsibilities
Planning to include Strategic Management
Operating Management and Plans
Organizing work and Structure
Work Teams Utilization
Staffing
Employee and Management Development
Motivating Employees
Leading
Conflict Management and Stress
Managing Change
Controlling
Appraising and Rewarding
Operations Control
Conclusion
From the Paper "Employee recognition is not a just a pretty gesture to do for people. Employee recognition constitutes a communication instrument which strengthens and rewards the most crucial results people build for the business. When people are recognized effectively, there is a strengthening of the preferred means of recognition, the action and behaviors which is most often desired to be repeated. An efficient employee recognition system is simple, instantaneous and powerfully reinforcing. When the employee recognition processes is considered, this is equally powerful for the organization as well as the employee."
Tags: groups, government, employees, technology, process
Abstract This paper explains that psycho-dynamic therapy has its roots in psychoanalytic theory; however, psycho-dynamic therapy differs from classical psychoanalysis. The author points out that psycho-dynamic therapy is shorter, need not include all analytic techniques, is not conducted by psycho-analytically trained analysts and the therapist is much more actively and openly responsive to the client. The paper relates that contemporary object relations theory distinguishes between psychoanalytic theories, which are drive theories that emphasize biological drives such as sexuality and aggression, and relational theories, which emphasize human relationships.
From the Paper "The approach of the therapeutic situation depends very much on the theoretical perspective of the analyst. The psychodynamic schools value still the contemporary importance of Freud's original concepts, including the unconscious, id, ego, transference, resistance, free association, and Oedipus complex. Some theorists and analysts described as neo-Freudians retained many of the concepts described by Freud. Among these are the "ego psychology" school pioneered by Anna Freud. The "object relations" school emphasizes the importance of relationships between mother and child in early childhood, the school includes a number of theorists, such as Melanie Klein, Donald Winicott, and John Bowlby."
Abstract This paper examines and analyzes group dynamics and team work, discusses related issues, and provides three company examples of how organizations are dealing with group dynamics.
Abstract This paper offers a brief explanation of the dynamical hypothesis in artificial intelligence and compares it to the computational hypothesis. The paper points out that the two hypotheses do not necessarily conflict with each other and that the certain aspects of the dynamical hypothesis actually embrace the computational hypothesis.
From the Paper "Dynamics forms the general framework for growing amounts of work in psychophysics, perception, motor control, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, situated robotics and autonomous agents research, artificial intelligence, and social psychology. It is central to a number of general approaches, such as ecological psychology, synergetics, and morphodynamics (Smolensky 1998)."
Abstract This paper first defines mechanics, a branch of study that deals with the influence of forces acting on bodies and dynamic responses of bodies to the imposition of those forces, and then lists the three different subdivision of mechanics. Included in this subdivision is dynamics, which the paper also explains and describes as it relates to the study of mechanics.
From the Paper "Life without motion is better explained as death. A living being is said to be having life only when the walls of the heart engage in pumping the blood, when the blood circulates through the entire body, when nerves impulse electrically from brain to toe, lungs move to bring oxygen, food transports through the stomach and intestines, when the iris expands and contracts, when the eyeball rotates, etc. Not only in the living beings, the riddles of the non-living items like recoiling of a fired gun, acceleration of an automobile, action of a spinning top, the motion of a space rocket can also be broken down in terms of the analysis of motion."
Abstract This paper discusses Bruce Tuckman's studies of group dynamics. The paper examines his "Forming-Storming-Norming-Performing" model of team development, which focused on better understanding of group dynamics. The paper explains that Tuckman maintained that groups pass through four important stages as they gain maturity and establish important connections with each other.
From the Paper "In the first stage, a group is highly depended on the leader who directs and guides them since they are not familiar with their roles. There is usually low agreement on what the team should achieve and how. Roles are ambiguously defined and thus chances of conflicts are bright. In the second stage of storming, team members fight for their place in the group. Each tries to vie for the best position or more authority as they ease into their new roles as team members. In this stage, power struggles are common."
Abstract In this paper, the basis of political dynamics in cultural pluralism must rely on an ideological presence, but also with the reality of power struggles that seek to undermine ethnic unification. By examining the microcosm of racism in America, one can understand how political dynamics plays a role in the struggle for power between whites and blacks. Oftentimes, the role of government and ethical documents (The Bill of Rights and the Constitution) are portrayed ideologically, but cannot be reproduced through the direct actions of that self-same government.
From the Paper "In this sociological study a summary of the political dynamics of cultural pluralism will be examined. The basis of politics in America and on the world stage offer differing perspectives as to how political differences idealize or make practical cultural differences between different ethnicities or races. To define the ideological and realistic application of cultural pluralism in this manner will provide information as to how ethnic struggles and adaptabilities are politically applied. In essence, by summarizing the essence of cultural pluralism through modern political examples, one can realize the diverse realities and ideological stances that are practiced within a sociological structure. The reality of ethnic diversity in America relates a national example of how race become a serious issue when seeking a greater political understanding of cultural pluralism. The problem of dynamics relates to issue of identity in that African-Americans are a minority that has..."
Abstract This paper describes the outlook of Abraham Maslow, one of the most influential psychological theorists of the 20th century. In particular, his approach known as humanistic psychology is examined, with an emphasis on his holistic-dynamic theory. The paper describes this theory based on the existing theories of Freud, Jung and Adler. Maslow's "hierarchy of needs" is presented as part of the holistic theory. The paper regards Maslow quite positively, because he never claimed that his theories were an end in themselves or that they were valid to the exclusion of all other theories of psychology.
Outline:
Background of Maslow's Interest in Humanistic Psychology
The Holistic Dynamic Theory
Theory of Motives
Deficiency Motives
Growth Motives
Hierarchy of Needs
The Physiological Needs
The Safety and Security Needs
The Love and Belonging Needs
The Esteem Needs
Self-Actualization
Conclusion
From the Paper "Even while realizing the importance of the existing theories, Maslow made it his life's goal to "integrate into a single theoretical structure" the partial truths that he saw in Freud, Adler, Jung, et. al. He asserted that Freud had given us "the sick half of psychology, and we must now fill it out with the healthy half." (Maslow, quoted by Ewen, 1998, p. 416) As a result, Maslow developed his Holistic-Dynamic theory of human psychology through the study of healthy, fully functioning, and creative individuals instead of focusing on the mentally ill and the neurotic individuals as was done by Freud and his followers."
Abstract The paper summarizes the population dynamics for the contemporaneous global community population. The paper considers the effects of increasing global warming, the perspective of infertility as well as the size, distribution and composition of the population. The paper shows how features and changes of current lifestyles critically impact the natural environment. The paper concludes by questioning whether the adaptation of the environment will be sufficient for the survival of the species.
Outline:
Abstract
Population Dynamics Conclusions
From the Paper "The world we live in is marked by constant change and this affects all features of every day life. Among the most relevant changes that affect the contemporaneous society, one could easily point out the larger number of possibilities and therefore the increasing demands and consumerism levels. To better explain, the business community has changed its focus from producing and then selling, to prospecting the market in order to only produce those items that will sell without much effort. In other words, as they are given more options and as the manufacturers are there to serve their needs, the populations increase their demands and consume more than ever. All these then reflect upon the environment, which suffers from excessive extractions. And the environment is a constant and necessity of our lives. In this particular context, the need to analyze the population dynamics from an environmentalist perspective arises."
Abstract This paper starts by defining group dynamics and examines the popular TV series "Survivor" exemplifies this concept. It states that TV viewers experience a taste of reality when watching the show as it "stars" real people. The essence of the series is forming a solid group and thereafter dismantling it.
From the paper:
"Television, like most media forms, is intended to show, rather than simply tell, something about the human condition. As a viewer, television has the capacity to act as a mirror into our own lives, or the lives of people we know. Current television shows allow viewers to leave the stresses of their own lives, and become a part of the lives of characters we relate to, or who are so far from our own experiences that we forget about our own problems, anxieties and worries, to participate in the often tranquil or happily exciting lives of another person."
