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you and your friend created a technology startup. Since its Inception, it has become very successful and you've had to hire many employees. At what point will you realize that it has become, in George symbols terms, a large group?

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Final answer:

A technology startup becomes a large group in sociological terms when the size of the workforce and organizational complexity render simultaneous direct communication impractical. It also may relate to the influence and reach the company has, akin to global economic connections. This expansion necessitates formal structures to manage division and maintain cohesion.

Step-by-step explanation:

In sociological terms, as defined by George Simmel, a startup becomes a large group when the number of employees grows to a point where not everyone can engage in a simultaneous discussion, or when multiple groups come together forming a collective with a common goal. As your startup expands, hiring many employees, you'll realize it has transitioned into a large group when coordination and direct communication become challenging, often necessitating formal structures and sub-groups to maintain order and efficiency. The larger the group, the more it can achieve in terms of influence and goal attainment, yet it also faces increased risks of division and lack of cohesion.

Drawing from a hypothetical example like Technotron, if your company invents a technology that significantly increases efficiency, causing an industry shift, this could also mark the evolution of the startup into a large, influential entity that shapes market dynamics. The same principle applies to the effects of globalization, where the interconnectedness of economic transactions demonstrates the reach and influence a large group can have across the globe.

User David Ostrovsky
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