Question

What formal and informal groups would you expect to find in a complete racing team? What roles could each play in helping the driver toward a winning season?

Answer 1

Formal Groups are formed deliberately and consciously collectively to direct the efforts of group members, especially the employees towards the accomplishment of the organizational object (Kaho). An informal workgroup is a group formed by employees of an organization that is created under no directive from management but simply because group members have a shared common interest. The group may focus on issues that run counter to organizational norms or may exist to improve functions of the workplace or morale (Kaho). Both types of groups, in my opinion, are essential when it comes to racing as mentioned in our text in critical thinking story Teams Drive the Fast cars. The formal group is extremely important to the team’s success since they are designate to complete certain tasks like the aerodynamics team which is in charge of the vehicle's aerodynamics that came to make the vehicle go faster since it can break the wind more efficiently. Informal teams are extremely important to the overall success of the team since they can arise while the race is going and a problem unexpected occurs these teams have an important role since they will be in charge to solve an expected problem or "special interest".

Watching any televised race most of the camera time is dedicated to the drivers and their cars. But in each of the three major forms of auto racing, the driver is simply one member of a larger team. These teams are working together to achieve maximum performance. When the driver wins the team wins as well.

So, the type of formal group members you would expect to find in a racing team is the driver, mechanics, and the pit crew. The informal group members you would expect to find in a racing team are the shop mechanics, parts fabricators, and even aerodynamics experts. Pit crew members practice routine maintenance tasks like tire changes and refueling. Other teammates contribute by modifying parts and equipment, so they can be changed out in less time.