Page 256 - DMGT402_MANAGEMENT_PRACTICES_AND_ORGANIZATIONAL_BEHAVIOUR

Unit 12: Group Behaviour and Team Work

NGT is a good technique to use in a situation where group members fear criticism from Notes
others. The chief advantage of the NGT method is that it permits the group to meet
formally but does not restrict independent thinking, as does an interacting group.
3. Delphi Technique: The Delphi technique originated at the Rand Corporation to gather the
judgements of experts for use in decision-making. The Delphi method is similar to the
nominal group technique except that it does not require the physical presence of the
group's members. Experts at remote locations respond to a questionnaire. A coordinator
summarizes the responses to the questionnaire, and the summary is sent back to the
experts. The experts then rate the various alternatives generated, and the coordinator
tabulates the results. The following steps characterize the Delphi technique.

(a) The problem is identified and members are asked to provide potential solutions
through a series of carefully designed questionnaires.
(b) Each member anonymously and independently completes the questionnaire.

(c) Results of the questionnaire are compiled at a central location, transcribed, and
reproduced.

(d) Each member receives a copy of the results.
(e) After viewing the results, members are again asked for their solutions.
The advantages of the Delphi Technique are:
(a) The Delphi technique is valuable in its ability to generate a number of independent
judgements without the requirement of a face-to-face meeting.
(b) The Delphi technique can be used for decision-making among geographically
scattered groups.
(c) The cost of bringing experts together at a central location is avoided.
The disadvantages of the Delphi Technique are:
(a) The Delphi technique is extremely time consuming, it is frequently not applicable
where a speedy decision is necessary.
(b) The method may not develop the rich array of alternatives as the interacting of
nominal group technique does.
(c) Ideas that might surface from the heat of face-to-face interaction may never arise. On
the other, introspection in isolation may produce superior results.

4. Electronic Meetings: This method blends the nominal group technique with sophisticated
computer technology. Issues are presented to participants and they type their responses
onto their computer screen. Individual comments, as well as aggregate votes, are displayed
on a projection screen.
The advantages of electronic meetings are:

(a) Participants can anonymously type any message they want and it flashes on the
screen for all to see at the push of a key on a participant's keyboard.
(b) It allows people to be brutally honest without incurring any penalty.

(c) It is fast because discussions don't go off the point and many participants can "talk"
at once.

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 251