Difference Between Formal Groups and Informal Groups
Main difference
Communication is one of the fundamental processes in our lives, through which thoughts, information, feelings and much more can be exchanged. The means of communication change with the advancement of technology, for example in the 90s phones were mainly used for communication, today smartphones are widely used for communication. Basically, communication can be of two types; verbal communication and non-verbal communication. In organizations, the verbal mode of communication is used to share information or transfer the message. Furthermore, verbal communication is divided into two forms of communication; formal communication and informal communication. Both types of communication are carried out in organizations, by formal and informal groups respectively. The group in the organization, formed by the organization itself to fulfill certain tasks in the office is known as the formal group. The formal group performs the formal communication, which means that the communication takes place through the officially designated channel. On the other hand, the informal group is made up of the employees themselves, it is based on their personal resemblance, attitude, relationship and other factors. Within the organization, informal groups come up with informal communication as there is no officially designated channel and the topic of discussion is even broader. Informal group is made up of the employees themselves, it is based on their personal likeness, attitude, relationship and other factors. Within the organization, Informal groups come up with informal communication as there is no officially designated channel and the topic of discussion is even broader. The informal group is made up of the employees themselves, based on their personal resemblance, attitude, relationship, and other factors. Within the organization, informal groups come up with informal communication as there is no officially designated channel and the topic of discussion is even broader.
Comparison chart
| formal groups | informal groups | |
| About | Formal groups in an organization are the official groups created by authority or management to unite talented and competent individuals to work as a team to achieve a common organizational goal or to accomplish any task. | Informal groups in an organization are the unofficial groups created by members of the organization on their own. Informal groups are for members to come together around a common agenda or interest. It has nothing to do with any benefits of a specific organization. |
| Size | Formal groups can be large or even small depending entirely on the task and purpose. | Informal groups are usually small, but can be large in large organizations. |
| Duration | Formal groups are usually temporary in nature and disband once the task is completed. In some cases, formal groups can also be permanent. | Informal groups are permanent most of the time. They only dissolve due to any outside pressure or any individual going off on their own. |
| Member relationship | Members of a formal group are mostly colleagues and connected by work, without emotional attachment. | The members of the informal groups are close to each other as they link with each other due to the common agenda and similarities. Friendship and strong emotional bonds can also easily develop. |
| Communication | In formal groups, all members use and follow a systematic form and mode of communication. | In informal groups, members communicate however they want, based on their own comfort and convenience with other members. |
| Member Behavior | The behavior of the members of the formal groups is completely professional. Everyone follows the code of conduct established by the organization. | The behavior of the members of the informal groups is totally based on the interest of the individuals and their own social personalities. |
| Authority | Formal groups are authorized groups developed and directed by the leadership of the organization itself. | In informal groups, members elect their own leaders and authority rests entirely with the members. |
| Supervision | Formal groups are overseen by management officers or directors appointed by management. It is easy to manage the members of formal groups. | In informal groups, it is quite difficult to manage and supervise people. Normally, a person elected unanimously is responsible and that too to a lesser extent. |
| Purpose | The basic purpose of formal groups is to get committed individuals to work together as a team and achieve the desired common goal of an organization. It can also be performed to perform a temporary task. | Informal groups are usually made up of people with common interests. In various organizations, the purpose of informal groups may vary. One of the most seen purposes is fun and security of the rights of the members of the organization. |
What are formal groups?
Formal groups are assigned by organizations to increase work efficiency or accomplish specific tasks. The employees who are part of this have strong communication with each other and also have previous experience in teamwork. The size of the formal group can even be large, depending on the initiative of the organization. The sole purpose of the formal group is to make sure certain work gets done on time. It has nothing to do with personal attachments and leisure. The employees who are part of this have a strong coordination between them, and are important according to their defined positions in the company. Formal groups use formal communication to exchange thoughts, information, and ideas. It is worth mentioning that the formal communication is done through the officially designated channel. The context of the conversation is already chosen in this form of communication and more work-oriented discussions take place. In doing this type of communication, a certain type of rules and regulations, conventions and styles are followed.
What are informal groups?
Employees form informal groups within an organization. The main reason for forming such groups is to have strong ties and relationships with coworkers, based on their likes, attitudes, and interests. Informal groups are never work oriented so no one has the importance due to the designation in the company. The context of conversations in informal groups is broader as people joke, share and gossip with each other during their free time in the office. Informal communication takes place between informal groups in organizations as officially designated channels are not used in this for communication. Informal communication is the mode of communication that takes place when peers interact with each other, which can be in the canteen during a coffee break or while sitting in the garden area of the office. No rules or regulations are followed in this type of communication and it can be in any convention or style. The conversation can also have a purpose regarding office work, although it mostly revolves around personal life, office staff gossip, or many more topics.
Key differences
- The formal groups are assigned by the organizations, while the employees form the informal groups within an organization.
- Formal groups are made to increase work efficiency or accomplish specific tasks. Informal groups, on the other hand, are not work-oriented, mostly revolving around personal life, office staff gossip, or many other topics.
- The size of the formal group can even be large, depending on the initiative of the organization, while the informal group is comparatively smaller.
- In formal groups certain kinds of rules and regulations, conventions and styles are followed. Contrary to this, in informal groups rules and regulations are not followed or assigned.
- One has more importance in formal groups according to their designation in the organization, while no one has the importance by designation in the company.