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Overview
Pearl Harbor has been highlighted as the exemplar of groupthink. This is when decision makers were either unwilling or incapable of perceiving the impending dangers. This was based on the cult of the group that it knew best, that dissension or alternative views were not to be tolerated and that conformity was a prerequisite. This is groupthink and it leads to bad decision making and can have disastrous consequences for organisations and societies. In one recruitment round at the University of Helsinki, those who indicated their personal pronouns were remarkably successful, those who did not were not successful. What ramifications does this have when only those with a certain mindset are recruited to an organisation….
The task looks at group composition and how important it is to be aware that a diversity in opinions and viewpoints is critical in negating groupthink. This task can be linked to Unit C3 which deals with the global forest company Stora Enso.It also links to the role of the elites as exemplified in Unit E2 looking at eugenics and the deference to leadership elites in Unit B4.
B.3. Reading (Look at this before doing the tasks). The Tasks and Answer Key/Pointers/Sources are in Theme H in the drop-down menu at the top of this page.
Think About:
“When we all think alike, no one thinks very much” – Albert Einstein
“When you find yourself on the side of the majority, you should pause and reflect” – Mark Twain
“Being a wiseass in a groupthink environment is like throwing an egg at a bulldozer” – Matt Taibbi
Materials Updates/News:
Periodically, materials will be updated, or there may be news items worthy of attention related to this Unit. They will be notified here. If you come across any news/resources, e.g. journal/newspaper articles relevant to the content of this website, please let me know. I can be contacted via the email address below.
The first report from the ongoing UK Covid Inquiry (2023/24) shows that groupthink was a major problem. interestingly it does not refer to the fact that those making the decisions have a background sourced from the University sector and certain Universities in particular.
Mahase, E. (2024). Covid inquiry: UK government failed its citizens through “groupthink,” poor planning, and widening inequalities. BMJ 386:q1602.
The impact of poor organisational decision-making with implicit connection to Groupthink was revealed in the Vasa Syndrome. In 1628 the pride of the Swedish navy sank within one mile of being first launched. Groupthink permeates the tragedy:
Kessler, E., Bierly, P., and Gopalakrishnen, S. (2004). Vasa Syndrome: insights from a 17th-century new-product disaster. The Academy of Management Executive 15(3): 80-91.
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