Group Discussion Case Analysis

KAPResources Consulting Firm

Case Overview

KAPResources Consulting Firm, a Human Resources consulting company, has recently made the decision to expand its operations internationally. This expansion has been identified to require twenty-five families to relocate from the domestic headquarters to offices in Spain and Hong Kong. The plan is to also hire an additional fifty employees from the local international regions to support the company's growth plan. It has been identified that the transition for the families to the overseas locations could be a critical success factor and it is commonly known that many families have trouble during an extended overseas assignment.

Not only will the new cultures require significant amounts of adaptation from the employees and their families, but the employees' new roles in the international markets will also require new skills and new perspectives. This analysis will focus on the company's task force who has been asked to make recommendations about the transition and how the company can act in facilitating cohesion among the new offices. It will examine the group norms, the communication styles, arguments, nonverbal signals, and the overall group dynamics among other factors that are present in the meeting. It will first present each individuals communication style and contribution, followed by an overview of the group dynamics as well as a discussion about the group's overall performance and possible improvements that could be made.

Team Members

Carla Baskil from Puerto Rico -- in one of the first exchanges in the meeting, Carla's body language and interjection displays the fact that she has information that she believes that is an important contribution to the group's discussion. Her first point is that the families of the employees are important, in addition to just the employees, because it can be difficult for them to transition as well and if they experience issues then this could lead to significant stress for the company's relocated employees. After the discussion progresses, Carla jumps in again with another suggestion. She also jumps in after Stephen prompts Drew for his opinion as if she is probably impatient. Carla has good ideas and input for group, however she may be a little overzealous in her contributions and apparently has trouble allowing others to talk.

Tom Sunderland from New York (Leader) -- Tom is the group leader and plays an important role in the discussion. He seems to be an adept facilitator and is constantly calling group members out to ask their opinions on specific questions. His body language is consistent with many leadership qualities. He stands in front of the group and is apparently in charge as the group works through the task at hand. Yet he is constantly diverting the group's attention to the agenda and in consistent in making sure everyone has the chance to contribute to the group discussion. At one point in the discussion, Tom crosses his arms and turns the group which could represent body language that shows some level of frustration.

Stephen Metzger from Los Angeles -- Stephen has an interesting role in the group. His body language suggests that he is largely relaxed and possibly disengaged given the fact that he leans back throughout the meeting and has his arms crossed behind his back. The story ends with Stephen being critical of the group's final conclusion; despite the fact that he actually offered very little to the discussion.

Joy Hanu Born in New York City, U.S.A., temporarily assigned to the Hong Kong office -- Joy's role is most consistent with an introvert's personality. She seems quiet, reserved, and only tentatively makes suggestions that are tempered with her own limitation on the subject. However, her contributions are valuable and despite being timid it seems she is quite intelligent and valuable to the discussion.

Drew Arnatti from Chicago -- Drew is largely quiet throughout the meeting except he does interject when he formulates an idea that he agrees in. The idea that he does offer seems to on point and one of the group's best points. He also diverts conversation to facilitate an answer from another group member.