Rethinking Group Dynamics in Public Organizations: Starting Point for Behavioral Public Strategy Research

Horák Martin (), Danko Lukáš () and Kučera Filip ()
Additional contact information
Horák Martin: Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Faculty of Management and Economics, Zlín, Czech Republic
Danko Lukáš: Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Faculty of Management and Economics, Zlín, Czech Republic
Kučera Filip: Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Faculty of Management and Economics, Zlín, Czech Republic

Organizacija, 2022, vol. 55, issue 4, 272-287

Abstract: Purpose: The paper aims to explore group dynamics in the management and administration of the selected public organization. Specific interest is given to two fundamental domains of group dynamics: 1) communication processes and interaction patterns; 2) group cohesion and climate. Methods: The approach is based on in-depth interviews with public employees representing various departments of a public organization. A total of 34 subjects participated in this study and provided primary data for coding and finding patterns. Both investigator and data triangulation are used to conceptualize group dynamics in the public organization. Results: Public organizations’ employees face hardships in knowledge sharing and tend to misunderstand the agenda between various departments and citizens. The participation of citizens in decision making could be seen as a ‘double edged sword’ that contributes to the implementation of public projects, but often derails efficient organizational processes. Public organizations struggle with employee turnover, insufficient treatment of employee wellbeing, and unwillingness to pursue personal development. Conclusion: Understanding and further defining the level of group dynamics among public employees is the first step towards adopting innovation approaches. The paper highlights the implications for public organizations with an overview of the behaviors needed for a smooth strategy process in development planning based on organizational forces that leads to a better understanding of group dynamics.

Keywords: Behavioral public strategy; Group dynamics; Group cohesion; Organizational communication; Organizational climate; Public organization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://doi.org/10.2478/orga-2022-0018 (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:vrs:organi:v:55:y:2022:i:4:p:272-287:n:3

DOI: 10.2478/orga-2022-0018

Access Statistics for this article

Organizacija is currently edited by Jože Zupančič

More articles in Organizacija from Sciendo
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Peter Golla ().