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Evolution of Formal Organizations

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Evolution of Formal Organizations
UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX
Introduction to Sociology
SOC 120
Pamella Robinson
November 12, 2011

Evolution of Formal Organizations
Most people require socialization to obtain the sense of fitting in with other people. For this reason social groups are sometimes constructed. This is not always the case however, because some social groups, such as families are established without effort. These social groups consist of at least two or more people who relate to each other and interact together on a personal level, which may last for years and are more intimate than formal groups. People within the social group “share experiences, loyalties, and interests” (Macionis, 2006, p. 110) in an informal or casual way. The group is connected by common beliefs, experiences, and emotions. These types of groups can be distinguished from each other by the level of interpersonal interactions of its members.
Some informal groups may develop into formal groups through reorganization or a separation of some members who want to establish a separate organization. This spin off group may see inconsistencies in the goals of the home group. For instance, the original group may not have a leader and when leadership questions arise it may cause a rift among members. This type of inconsistency may cause problems that affect future decisions of the group (Gulati & Puranam, 2009).
Formal organizations are large and work together for a common goal. These types of groups include companies, branches of the government, and churches. Corporations are called utilitarian groups because they involve services or goods and employ people to manufacture and distribute their goods or services. Churches or service (usually non-profit) groups are called normative or voluntary associations for obvious reasons. Another type of formal group is a coercive

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