Cohesion and Motivation in high performance groups
Involverte ansatteProsjektleder:Rune Høigaard UiA
Prosjektstatus2007-2010
BeskrivelseTeamwork has most often been associated with positive effects regarding individuals’ efforts and performance. Studies have shown that teamwork leads to increased effort and performance, less absenteeism, and reduced turnover (Cohen, Ledford, & Spreitzer, 1996; Prapavessis & Carron, 1997; Wellins, Byham, & Dixon, 1994; Wisner & Feist, 2001).
Research also show that when people pool their contributions into group work, they achieve less than might be expected based on the sum of their individual abilities (Steiner, 1972; Ingham, Levinger, Graves, & Peckham, 1974; Karau & Williams, 1993). One explanation for a reduction in potential productivity is loss of motivation. This reduction in motivation and effort when individuals work collectively, compared when they work individually, is described as social loafing (Williams, Harkin, & Latané, 1986).
Whereas social loafing refers to an actual reduction in effort in an individual’s contribution to a group, perceived loafing refers to a group member’s assessment of other group members’ contribution to the team (Mulvey & Klein, 1998). Perceived loafing may reflect actual reduced effort among others, but perceived loafing and actual reduced effort may not always co-vary. This means that perception of social loafing may occur regardless of actual loafing. Whether or not the perception is based on fact, it is possible that the perception may have a negative effect on the group member’s motivation. If social loafing is perceived, team members may reduce their effort or their contribution to the team in order to avoid the “sucker” role. The team members reduce their effort to match the level they think other members are expending. They don't want to be a "sucker" by working harder than the others.
The Cohesion and Motivation in High Performance Groups is planned to involve several high performance groups from the military system, sport, business and politics. The objective of the study is to analyze how variance in team cohesion affects the team member’s attitude, motivation and contribution to the team.