Eu Jin has recently become the head of the nine-person accounting department in a large oil company. The accounting offices are situated on the 6th and 3rd floors of the main office building. On the 3rd floor, three accounting employees use additional office space in the purchasing department. Two new accounting employees were hired a few months before Eu Jin took over the unit; one of them was offered a job without an interview or thorough review after submitting her application form. The employees possess the necessary skills and resources, including new computer systems, to perform effectively if they work together as a team. However, Eu Jin recognizes that this department lacks the required esprit de corps to achieve optimal performance. Eu Jin needs to utilize five distinct strategies to develop a more cohesive unit and enhance cohesiveness within the accounting department. Team cohesion refers to the level of attraction individuals feel towards the team and their motivation to remain as members. Eu Jin must exert influence to promote greater cohesiveness among the accounting team.
The factors influencing team cohesion include member similarity, team size, member interaction, somewhat difficult entry, team success, and external competition and challenges. Member similarity involves setting a common goal to attract team members to work together, ensuring they share the same values and motivation. Member similarity fosters high cohesion as all members have a similar goal and work towards achieving it, even if they are in different positions within the organization.
Team size: The smaller the team size, the higher the member cohesion because they tend to agree with the job’s goal and motivate to work perfectly. However, the small team must have enough members to perform the required job. Eu Jin’s team is small enough for her to control and lead the team towards success.
Member interaction: Higher cohesion in the team when the team members interact with each other regularly and fairly. Eu Jin needed to encourage her team members communicate and coordinate their job with each other so that they can perform the task independently and perfectly.
When entry to a team is restricted, it can be somewhat difficult for members. To maintain high cohesion, it is important for Eu Jin to confer with her members, particularly those who are hired without an interview. This will encourage them to value their membership in the department.
A team’s success plays a vital role in increasing cohesion. Both emotional and instrumental factors influence the cohesion of a team. In order to promote cohesion, Eu Jin must identify the needs and goals of her team, and strive to meet them. When a team achieves success, its cohesion is enhanced.
