Group Problem Solving Model

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As Aldag and Fuller indicated, this GGPS model is a milestone (Aldag and Fuller, 1993). Prospective researchers could take over this torch, running towards the direction of developing an expanded and integrative model that blend more empirical support with further testing and refinement.

Application

The findings of the group problem solving studies would be useful to a business manager. Under current fast-paced work environment, business managers need to learn how to make best use of the available talents and resources to achieve their objectives at work, which would increase the overall productivity. Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of a group problem solving process would enable the managers to make more informed decision on assigning the tasks to the personnel with respect to both group size and skill set. In addition, it also inspires the managers to think about ways to better locate their talents to stimulate the positive interaction at workplace.

Company Usefulness

Steve Jobs, the founder and the previous CEO at Apple and Pixar, was a believer of the study findings, especially the benefit of increasing the chance of interaction between employees. He believed that unplanned encounter could result in unexpected surprise. Thus, he arranged the Pixar’s headquarters building around a central atrium due to his design theory that everybody should run into each other as often as possible. The reason for having this open and centralized office space setup is that it would facilitate the cross-department networking and increase the chance to meet colleagues from other functions. The company would eventually benefit from the expansion of connections within the company.

Bibliography

Aldag, R. and Fuller, S. (1993). Beyond Fiasco: A reappraisal of the groupthink phenomenon and a new model of group decision processes. Psychological Bulletin, Vol. 113, No 3, 533-552.

Dennis, A. and Valacich, J. (1994). Group, sub-group, and nominal group idea generation: New rules for a new media? Journal of Management. Vol. 20, No.4, 723-736

Flowers, M. (1997). A laboratory test of some implications of Janis’s groupthink hypothesis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 33, 888-895.

Janis, I. (1971). Groupthink. Psychology Today, pp.43-46,74-76.

Leana, C. (1985). A partial test of Janis’ groupthink model: Effects of group cohesiveness and leader behavior on defective decision making. Journal of Management. 11, 5-17.

Lehrer, J. (2012). Groupthink; Annals of ideas. The New Yorker. The Conde Nast Publications. New York. Vol 87:46.