Typology of work groups in the organization: the combination of social capital and group effectiveness

The present study aimed to provide a typology of groups based on their two characteristics of social capital and effectiveness. It also tried to describe, through follow-up studies, the best conditions that led to these two characteristics’ influence on the groups. To examine the groups, a quantitative-qualitative (mixed) research method was applied. The sample consisted of 30 groups and the data were collected by questionnaires (208 questionnaires) and interviews (12 in-depth interviews). The results of the quantitative phase showed that the groups were classified into four clusters based on their social capital and effectiveness. The first cluster had high social capital and effectiveness, the second one were groups with very low social capital and effectiveness, the third cluster were those with very high social capital and an effectiveness lower than the average level, and the fourth cluster consisted of groups Which had very low social capital and an effectiveness slightly higher than the average level. The findings of the qualitative phase also revealed that the effectiveness of social capital on the groups was dependent on the leadership style, and each cluster needed a different leadership style.