Groupthink: Organizational Theory PDF

# Organizational theory ## Groupthink ### What is Groupthink? > "Humans get trapped in a web of their own creations” – Psychic Prisons (Morgan Images of Organizations) - Organizations are created and sustained by conscious and unconscious processes - Organizations and its members get trapped in o...

# Organizational theory ## Groupthink ### What is Groupthink? > "Humans get trapped in a web of their own creations” – Psychic Prisons (Morgan Images of Organizations) - Organizations are created and sustained by conscious and unconscious processes - Organizations and its members get trapped in own constructed realities, ways of thinking, sensemaking, decision making ### Examples: - **Japan auto industry in the 1970s** - small, fuel-efficient cars "invaded" the North American market – NA auto makers shrugged it off as a non-threat; public saw Japan cars as junk and a joke - limited options - **Blockbuster – Netflix** - **Kodak:** complacency - people within the organization knew about obsolete concerns, and had solutions (digital), but the "top" would not listen ## Groupthink: Trapped Way of Doing Things - Failure to innovate, research and development - Failure to change bureaucratic process even as it becomes inefficient - Failure to listen to consumer needs - Failure to adapt to environmental issues - Failure to adapt to social issues - Gender, diversity, rights in the workplace - Gender - assign gender biased roles, positions, pay, discrimination ## Groupthink: Preconditions Members of a group all start to think alike – results in poor and immoral decision making (Irving Janis) Trap people into certain ways of thinking, and prevent the emergence of new ideas ### What are the preconditions? - High cohesiveness – little critical judgement, weak opposition - Stressful environment, culture - Group insulation from external environment (stakeholder) opinions - Establishment values deeply embedded - Lack of diversity - Directive leadership - Members want to be seen as part of the group - Sense of belonging - "Old boys club" ## Groupthink: Symptoms 1. **Invulnerability** – decision makers/managers are invulnerable/invincible, above criticism, overly optimistic 2. **Rationalization** – if there are dissenting/disagreeing opinions, they are rationalized away and debunked 3. **Morality** – think decisions are morally correct, even if they are unethical 4. **Stereotyping** – assign negative stereotypes 5. **(Peer) Pressure** – leaders/ certain members pressuring others for support, forego dissent 6. **Self-Censorship** – members do not voice concerns on an issue – no critical analysis – no devil's advocate 7. **Unanimity** – group believes everyone agrees, and assume silent members agree 8. **Mindguards** – someone takes it upon themselves to protect decision makers in the group from certain information – protect them from other's doubts, dissention – filtered information ## Groupthink Symptoms: Jonestown Case 1. **Invulnerability** - decision makers/managers are invulnerable/invincible, above criticism, overly optimistic - powerful, influential followers grew in numbers 2. **Rationalization** - if there are dissenting/ disagreeing opinions, they are rationalized away and debunked - you are in a better place, the alternative is concentration camps 3. **Morality** - think decisions are morally correct, even if they are unethical - creating a social justice society - people join a cult to be loved - welcome diversity, government not taking care of people (populist messages) 4. **Stereotyping** - assign negative stereotypes - government dictatorship, racial inequality, anti-capitalism - Used propaganda - his voice was always on the loudspeaker/PA, long speeches 5. **(Peer) Pressure** - leaders/ certain members pressuring others for support, forego dissent - Promised Land offered equality, no oppression, no racism, no government, Freedom - Pastor had power - charismatic, promises (own family made up of black, Asian kids - " I'll be whatever you want me to be" (father, brother, leader) - Blackmail, public beatings, took away passports, money - took away individuality - Got everything but worked long hours - people tired so did what he wanted - His speeches live and on speaker wore down people - they were exhausted, succumbed to whatever he wanted - control (Noriega music torture) 6. **Self-Censorship** - members do not voice concerns on an issue - no critical analysis – no devil's advocate - People feared speaking out - were beaten publicly, humiliated, fights 7. **Unanimity** - group believes everyone agrees, and assume silent members agree - everyone afraid to speak up, knew the consequences 8. **Mindguards** - someone takes its upon themselves to protect decision makers in the group from certain information - Jones wouldn't allow outside information, books, radio - called negative info against him as "FAKE NEWS" - US under attack we are not safe ## Avoiding Groupthink - Educate members on the pitfalls of groupthink - 6 Thinking Hats – different perspectives (next slide) - Assign a "devil's advocate” – be willing to hear all criticisms, objections - Increase awareness of all perspectives, causes, consequences – engage stakeholders - Use of outside experts – auditors and consultants - Use other groups to tackle the same issue - Establish ad-hoc groups to solve issues, or multiple groups solving an issue - Leader of the decision making group should be neutral (act as Chair) - Leader should allow objections, doubts, EXPLORE ALTERNATIVES - Reward contrasting opinions - Hold multiple discussion meetings before decisions made - Expose those with hidden doubts - Discuss intended decisions with stakeholders before implementing them ## Avoiding Groupthink: Six Thinking Hats - **White hat** - Facts - Figures - Information - **Black hat** - Critical judging - Checking - Devil's advocate - **Red hat** - Suspects - Opinions - Emotions - **Blue hat** - Thinking about thinking - Organization of the thinking process - Discipline and focus - Leadership - **Yellow hat** - Positive thinking - Concentrated on advantages - Call to action - **Green hat** - Creativity - New ideas - Change **Source:** https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjRnNO0weffAhUnTt8 KHXB7DfQQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.quinnassociation.com%2Fen%2Fthe_six_thinking_hats&psig=AOvVaw0QHdfvmQHlxDTSIk8fSE00&ust=1547357330913238