James C. Dabhi |
Abstract
Over the years, organisations have evolved in terms of shape, size, diversity, technology, and output. In the competitive world, organisation and publicity are often heightened with little substance. Mere pronouncements about developing and learning organisations often fail to account for their human resources and ongoing development. Such growth does not happen without continuous learning and training of organisation members. In the present context, many organisations overlook this aspect or ignore it. Most of the work in the organisations is done through groups or referred to as teams. While the article distinguishes between a group and a team, it uses these terms interchangeably. There are group development theories and models. The models of team development are frameworks to explain stages of change in a group as they begin, form, and move towards achieving their common goals. In management parlance, there are two major functions: the task and people functions. In pursuing profit maximising, cost-cutting, laying off staff, increasing work hours, and techniques to improve production and sales become important. Often, managers overlook the people function or view it merely as a tool to achieve their goals. This article will quickly examine four group-building models or frameworks, with a focus on the human process learning experience model and its advantages in comparison with the others. The first two group development frameworks, Tuckman’s model and the GRPI model (Goals, Roles, Processes, and Interpersonal Relationships), are conceptual/theoretical frameworks that are more appropriate for workshop and classroom learning. While the other models, Group Therapy and Human Process Training Laboratory (HPTL), are based on lived experience in the group in the present moment, they differ. The paper explains the framework, discusses its context and utility, and proposes that the HPTL model, which is focused on person function and on experiential learning, has an advantage over others.
Keywords: Organisation, Behaviour, Group Development, T-Group Training, Human Processes, Psychotherapy
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