Group structure, communication and effectiveness among white and blue-collar employees

Abstract

The moderating effect of interpersonal communication on the relation between group structure and effectiveness was examined in 24 clerical groups and 36 assembly-line groups. Effectiveness was assessed in terms of output and member perceptions of the extent to which their group achieved its goals. The structural variables of cohesiveness, attractiveness and centralization of authority were significantly related to the measures of information accuracy and communication openness, but not to the measures of effectiveness. However, both accuracy and openness were significantly related to effectiveness. Those results suggest that group structure has an indirect impact on effectiveness, through its effect on the accuracy and openness with which information is transmitted among