Formal vs. Informal Groups

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Size: Formal groups may be quite large in size, whereas informal groups tend to be small in size.

Nature: Formal groups are stable and may continue for a long period, whereas informal groups are quite unstable in its nature.

Number: The number of both formal and informal groups may be quite large, but generally informal groups are more than the formal groups. There may also be overlapping of membership.

Flow of Authority: In formal groups, the authority flows from higher to lower levels, where as in the informal groups, all members are equal. In informal organizations, some may command more authority by virtue of their personal qualities.