OB 7310-001

Theory and Research in Group & Intergroup Processes

Spring Semester 2006
Tuesdays, 2:00-4:45 pm, SOM 2.801

Professor David L. Ford, Jr. Office Hours: Mon., Tues. 5:00-6:30 pm

Phone: 972/883-2015 (Other times by appointment)
E-mail: mzad@utdallas.edu Office: SOM 4.201

Seminar Objectives

This seminar is intended as an advanced elective for individuals in the OSIM doctoral program who are
in the first or second year of study. The seminar will examine current theories of group processes and
group development in different social contexts. Work and non-work groups, intergroup relationships,
group task and process issues, group norms, group roles, group structure, demographic faultlines in
groups, group leadership, group cohesion, social capital effects in groups, intergroup conflict and
cooperation, intergroup communication and interdependencies, and the impact of technology (e.g.,
GDSS) on group outcomes are among the topics to be examined in the course. Special emphasis will be
given to the application of SYMLOG assessment methodology in designing empirical studies to explore
many of these topics. The intent in the seminar is to provide both a theoretical understanding of group
and intergroup dynamics and processes and practical experience in group observation, analysis, and
feedback.

Required Texts

Robert F. Bales (1999). Social Interaction Systems. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers.
(RFB).

A. Paul Hare, et al. (Eds.) (2005). Analysis of Social Interaction Systems. Lanham, MD: University
Press of America (HSBP)

Additional Reserve Readings

Student Evaluation

1. Individual paper based on contemporary group topic and research based 50 %

on the topic; include discussion of your own research orientation and how
this might impact your approach to the topic

2. Group paper based on SYMLOG analysis of class group 30 %

3. Vigorous class participation 20 %

(Oral report on group topic - 10%; class discussion - 10%)
______
100 %
Discussion Topic/Assignment
Date Topic/Assignments

1/10 Introduction to the Course; Housekeeping Matters

Exploration of Group Research Topics; The Role of Applied Behavioral Scientists in
Society; Assignment of discussion topics for semester

1/17 Social Interaction Systems - Theory and Method

Chapters 1-2 (RFB); Reserve Readings # 1, 2, 4

1/24 Values and Social Interaction Systems

Chapters 3-5 (RFB); Chapters 9, 12 (HSBP);
Reserve Readings # 14, 15, 16;

1/31 SYMLOG and Systematic Observation of Groups

Chapters 7-8 (RFB); Chapters 6, 7, 8, 10 (HSBP);
Reserve Reading # 17

2/07 SYMLOG and “Most Effective” Concept; Leadership & Group Outcomes
Chapters 9-11 (RFB) ;
Reserve Readings # 3, 8, 10
SYMLOG ratings of class groups

2/14 Leadership & Social Capital Effects in Groups

Chapter 5 (HSBP);
Reserve Readings # 9, 13

2/21 The Group-as-Sea Concept and Virtual Team Issues

Reserve Readings # 6, 18, 19

2/28 NO CLASS - LIBRARY WORK ON RESEARCH TOPIC

Email five references and copies of two of most the interesting articles you found
on your topic to Prof. Ford by 3/7/06

3/07 NO CLASS - SPRING BREAK

3/14 Demographic Faultlines in Groups

Reserve Readings # 11, 12; Chapter 11 (HSBP)

3/21 relationship of Other Theoretical Models to Social Interaction Systems Theory

Chapters 1-4 (HSBP)

3/28 Applications of Social Interaction Systems Theory 1

Chapters 15, 18, 19 (HSBP)
4/04 Application of Social Interaction Systems Theory 2
Chapters 13, 14, 16 (HSBP)

4/11 Social Interaction Systems Methodology 1

Chapters 22, 23, 25, 26 (HSBP)

4/18 Social Interaction Systems Methodology 2

Chapters 20, 21, 24 (HSBP)

4/25 Class Wrap-Up and Oral Presentations on Research Topics

Presentations on Term Projects; Course Evaluations

OB 7310 - Theory and Research in Group and Intergroup Processes

Reserve Readings
1. Alderfer, C. & Smith, K. (1982). Studying intergroup relations embedded in organizations.
Administrative Science Quarterly, 27, 35-65.

2. Cohen, S. & Bailey, D. (1997). What makes teams work: Group effectiveness research from the
shop floor to the executive suite. Journal of Management, 23 (3), 239-290.

3. Gil, F., Rico, R., Alcover, C., & Barrasa, A. (2005). Change-oriented leadership, satisfaction and
performance in work groups. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 20 (3/4), 312-328.

4. Guzzo, R. & Dickson, M. (1996). Teams in organizations: Recent research on performance and
effectiveness. Annual Review of Psychology, 47, 307-338.

5. Hackman, J. R. & Wageman, R. (2005). A theory of team coaching. Academy of Management

Journal, 30 (2), 269-287.

6. Jarvenpaa, S. & Leidner, D. (1999). Communication and trust in global virtual teams.
Organization Science, 10 (6), 791-815.

7. Janssens, M. & Brett, J. (2006). Cultural intelligence in global teams: A fusion model of
collaboration. Group & Organization Management, 31 (1), 124-153.

8. Kahai, S., Sosik, J., & Avolio, B. (2004). Effects of participative and directive leadership in
electronic groups. Group & Organization Management, 29 (1), 67-105.

9. Klein, K., Lim, B., & Saltz, J. (2004). How do they get there? An examination of the antecedents
of centrality in team networks. Academy of Management Journal, 47 (6), 952-963.

10. Koenigs, R. (1993). A cross-cultural view of leadership and teamwork. Paper presented at the
International SYMLOG Research Conference, Milan, Italy, September 1993.

11. Lau, D. & Murnighan, J. K. (2005). Interactions within groups and subgroups: The effects of
demographic faultlines. Academy of Management Journal, 48 (4), 645-659.

12. Li, J. & Hambrick, D. (2005). Factional groups: A new vantage on demographic faultlines,
conflict, and disintegration in work teams. Academy of Management Journal, 48 (5), 794-813.

13. Oh, H., Chung, M., & Labianca, G. (2004). Group social capital and group effectiveness: The role
of informal socializing ties. Academy of Management Journal, 47 (6), 860-875.

14. SYMLOG Consulting Group, Inside Joe’s Group.

15. SYMLOG Consulting Group, How to Read a SYMLOG Bargraph

16. SYMLOG Consulting Group, How to Read a SYMLOG Field Diagram

17. SYMLOG Consulting Group, Case Study: Choosing a Leader for a Project Team.

18. Townsend, A., DeMarie, S., & Hendrickson, A. (1998). Virtual teams: technology and the
workplace of the future. Academy of Management Executive, 12 (3), 17-29.

19. Wells, L. (1992). Beyond the group-as-mother: The group-as-sea. Unpublished remarks, Boston
Center, Boston, MA.

OB 7310

Paper Requirements

Individual Paper
There are two options for the individual paper. Building on the approach taken in the research methods
class, I am allowing for two different options for the paper: (a) a construct paper or (b) a research
proposal.

Construct Paper (suggested strategies)

Choose a construct that relates to the general topic of group and intergroup dynamics, preferably (a)
leadership and group outcomes; (b) team coaching and cultural intelligence in teams; (c) social capital
effects in groups and teams; or (d) demographic and other types of faultlines in groups. Other topics
will also be considered, but I would prefer that you choose one of these topics if possible. Discuss how
the construct has been defined and measured, and what has been done to establish the reliability and
validity of any existing measures. How has the construct been operationalized in different studies and
what are the implications of using different operationalizations of the construct? Do you get different
results with different versions of the construct? How does the construct relate to other constructs or
phenomena about groups? Does it have any utility in predicting, explaining, or integrating those
phenomena? How has the definition and measurement of the construct changed over time since it was
first introduced? What does the future hold for the scientific utility of the construct? What changes are
needed? What would you do differently?

Research Proposal

Choose a topic of your choice related to one of the four suggested topics above and develop a literature
review and research design paper that addresses an unanswered question in the literature. If possible,
show how the SYMLOG assessment methodology could be used to investigate the research question of
interest. Please use the following format:

1. Introduction (with purpose and overview of the study)

a. problem, issues
b. motivational purpose
c. usefulness for academics and practitioners

2. Review of Literature

3. Theory and Hypotheses

a. identify gap in the literature
b. provide research questions or hypotheses you intend to test
c. provide a visual model or framework if possible

4. Methodology (with research design and sample, variable measures, statistical analyses to be
employed).

For either paper option you choose, you should also discuss what your salient group identity or
identities are (e.g., being female, being an immigrant, being short, etc.) and how this impacts how you
approach the topic or how this affects how you undertake the research. Use the examples from some of
the papers read in the class as examples of how to do this.

Group Paper

The group paper is to consist of a SYMLOG Analysis (TEAM II) of your assigned class group. It
should discuss your developmental process during the semester, how each member of the group feels
about the results of the SYMLOG analysis, and what the prognosis might be for the group if it were to
stay together beyond this course and this semester.

Important Dates

Both papers should be at least 12-15 pages. Please discuss your individual paper topics with me by
February 14, 2006 and provide an outline via email to me by March 7, 2006. The individual paper
will be due by March 28, 2006. The group SYMLOG analysis paper will be due April 25, 2006.