Group Performance Issues - Essay Example

Researchers have associated various benefits and downsides of having diverse individuals in a particular group (Sommers, 2006, p.600). The negative consequence associated with having a diverse group is group conflict which may take place due to differences in knowledge, experience, age, and expertise. According to a study conducted on homogenous and diverse groups showed that both groups were performing exceptionally well but people from the diverse groups had lower satisfaction from their group members, lack of group consistency existed within the group and this group had a higher level of conflicts as compared to the members of the group that contained homogenous individuals (Robbins, 2003, p.234).
Similar studies even proved that if individuals of diverse groups can overcome the conflict that they experience during the early stages of group development, then diverse groups can perform in a much better manner (Sommers, 2006, p.610). A group consisting of members that have different educational backgrounds and cultural backgrounds is said to have the ability to come up with various ideas and opinions. Great importance is given to the identification of various solutions for a particular problem, this portion of the decision-making process can be satisfied by having people from diverse backgrounds making decisions (Hansen, 2006).