Posted by JenStar on July 27, 2005, at 17:37:34
In reply to Re: 150 - the magic number?, posted by Dr. Bob on July 27, 2005, at 12:06:49
hi Dr. Bob,
He was referring to different kinds of groups: Military units, small towns of Hutterites, manufacturing companies, and social networks. Apparently different kinds of organizations have come to the independent conclusions that if you have more than 150 people in a group, the overall cohesiveness starts to break down.
At 150, it's easier to get people working in sync, towards the same goals. At more than 150, the group typically splinters into factions and it becomes necessary to implement more rigorous hiearchical means to assure group assent and compliance.
He gives the examle of Gore-Tex, a successful company that deliberately sets up work groups in 150 or less. A group would consist of engineers, marketing, management, etc -- everyone who is necessary to create a project and sell it. If a site has ~150 employees, people get to know each other formally and informally, recongize styles, behaviors and strengths, and align themselves to maximize output on projects.
He also quotes a certain researcher who came up with an equation relationg the ratio of neocortex to overall brain size and the maximum number of animals who can effectively work together in a group. He found that it's accurate for many primates, and that for humans, the number in his equation is close to 150.
It's a really interesting read. I'd recommend it!
JenStar
poster:JenStar
thread:533068
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20050716/msgs/534389.html