COMMITTEE

Committee

It is a group of people in an organization for making or recommending decisions.

Making decision done by Executive committee

Recommending decision done by Advisory committee.

Minimum 2 persons in a committee, no maximum limit, but if > 7 no intercommunication possible between committee members..

One vote for each member in a committee.

Types of Committees in an organization

1.      Finance committee

2.      Budget committee

3.      Purchase committee

4.      Welfare committee

Group Behavior in a Committee

Y a committee?

A committee is created to solve the problems which cannot be solved by individuals.

Committee does it through meetings. It is a group behavior, as here in meeting members communicate face to face.

Components constituting group behavior in a committee

1.      Chairman members relationship

A committee has its own authority and responsibility. All members have equal authority

 ie. One man one vote.

But the chairman of a committee has more authority, he can cast a vote to break the deadlock and arrive at decision. He convenes the meeting, deliberations and discussions held under his guidance and control. He is responsible to integrate ideas of the committee members.

2.      Participation

A person is put in a committee to contribute something through attending the meetings held.

3.      Group pressure

Integrating ideas of group is greater than individual contributions.

4.      Decision process

5.      Decision making in a committee happens through process of committee deliberations

Reasons for using committee

1.      Pooling of knowledge and experience

2.      Facility of coordination

3.      Representation of interest groups

People from different groups should have their own say in the functioning of organizations.

Example: Self financing college fees regulation committee meeting will be attended by a member from each self financing college to say their opinion.

4.      Fear of too  much authority in a single person

5.      Motivation through participation

To be involved and committed to a decision make employee motivated.

Problems of committee

1.      High cost

Need Lot of time and money

2.      Slow decision

3.      Indecisions

Some time because of lack of time for deliberations meeting can be adjourned without taking a decision.

How to make a committee effective

1.      Appropriate size of committee

2.      Selection of members – based on their personal characteristics

3.      Well defined authority and scope- clearly specify what the committee can do(advise or make decision)

4.      Nature of subject matter- ---policy matters we need committee, routine functions an individual can do it no need of committee

5.      Effective chairman