Journal Articles

The Effects of Demographic Differences on Forming Intragroup Relationships

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Group behavior research suggests that differences among group members cause individuals to interact in ways
that may enhance or weaken group performance. Dissimilarities among members may cause the development of
negative attitudes about work groups, leading to dysfunctional performance. Network theorists have found that
demographic factors influence individuals' tendency to form network ties within their organizations.
This article bridges these findings, examining whether work group demographic differences affect a group member's tendency to form network ties with other group members or outside the work unit. In a study of 49 employees at a Midwest consulting firm, individual differences in sex and tenure predicted whether employees interacted within their work groups on advice and friendship dimensions, respectively, but did not affect the establishment of working relationships. Increased group heterogeneity tended to reduce the effect of demographic differences. Longer-service men were more likely to forge relationships within the work group than were short-term or female workers.

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Detail Information

Series Title

Small Group Research

Call Number

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Publisher

California : Sage Publications., 2008

Collation

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Language

English

ISBN/ISSN

1046-4964

Classification

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Content Type

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Media Type

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Carrier Type

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Edition

Vol. 39, No. 2, April 2008. Page 179 - 202

Subject(s)

Relational demography
Organizational diversity
Social networks
Group heterogeneity
Proffesional service firms
The Effects of Demographic Differences

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