Time and transition in work teams: toward a new model of group development
Article Abstract:
This study of the complete life-spans of eight naturally-occurring teams began with the unexpected finding that several project groups, studied for another purpose, did not accomplish their work by progressing gradually through a universal series of stages, as traditional group development models would predict. Instead, teams progressed in a pattern of "punctuated equilibrium," through alternating inertia and revolution in the behaviors and themes through which they approached their work. The findings also suggested that groups' progress was triggered more by members' awareness of time and deadlines than by completion of an absolute amount of work in a specific developmental stage. The paper proposes a new model of group development that encompasses the timing and mechanisms of change as well as groups' dynamic relations with their contexts. Implications for theory, research, and practice are drawn. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)
Publication Name: Academy of Management Journal
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0001-4273
Year: 1988
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Experiential effects of dialectical inquiry, devil's advocacy, and consensus approaches to strategic decision making
Article Abstract:
This longitudinal laboratory study of fast-advancing middle managers involved in strategic planning compared the effectiveness of dialectical inquiry, devil's advocacy, and consensus approaches to group strategic decision making. Compared to consensus groups, groups using dialectical inquiry and devil's advocacy made significantly higher quality decisions. Members of such groups reported more reevaluation of their own assumptions and recommendations but lower acceptance of their group's decisions than members of consensus groups. There were no differences between dialectical inquiry and devil's advocacy groups. Experience in using the three decision-making approaches improved decision quality, critical reevaluation levels, and the reactions of group members and reduced the time required to reach decisions. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)
Publication Name: Academy of Management Journal
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0001-4273
Year: 1989
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