Informal subgroups in work groups: size and relations in subgroups

The work examines the connection between the size of informal subgroups that arise in production groups and some relationship phenomena (interpersonal and subgroup trust, interpersonal and subgroup identity, interpersonal and subgroup conflict) within these subgroups. It also compares the convexity of the corresponding relationship phenomena in informal dyads and larger subgroups. The data from two empirical studies on different samples of work groups (N=37 and N=42) were used. In these groups, 65 and 71 informal subgroups, respectively, were found. The size of informal subgroups is significantly positively associated with interpersonal trust and interpersonal identity, subgroup trust and subgroup identity, but is not significantly associated with interpersonal and subgroup conflict within subgroups. Interpersonal trust and interpersonal identity, subgroup trust and subgroup identity are weaker within dyads than in larger subgroups. No significant differences in interpersonal conflict within dyads and larger subgroups were found. The article concludes with the discussion that outlines both theoretical and practical implications that the study findings may entail and formulates some important questions for further research.