Experiential Learning Style Grouping Impact on Student Outcomes in Team Leadership Coursework

This study explores how different team configurations based on members’ experiential learning styles impacted group level variables including team learning behavior, stages of team development, potency, psychological safety, and satisfaction in an undergraduate class. Groups with homogeneous learning styles experienced higher levels of friendship and lower levels of conflict, which were associated with greater satisfaction and more rapid progress through the stages of group development. Most significantly, satisfaction was more strongly correlated to team learning behavior than psychological safety, suggesting that student groups in higher education settings may rely on other factors to progress through the stages of group development.

Minding the Competency Gap From College to Career

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is proving the development of certain soft skills to be of utmost importance and yet a skills gap is present regarding human-centric competencies and critical thinking capabilities. Fundamental proficiencies such as professionalism and business acumen are even proving to be deficient according to workforce trends, and this may worsen given the new norm of remote campus communities, whereas students will still engage with course content but less so with each other. As such, organizations utilizing online platforms for e-learning and virtual teaming should be mindful of not only the performance of the group but the abilities of participants and the socialization process necessary for aiding in competency development. The stages of group development identified by Bruce Tuckman are useful for reinforcing the application of the proposed principles for successful virtual team leadership by Deloitte. Through the alignment of stages and principles, virtual teams can increase their chances for not only success but competency development.

Perceptions of social loafing during the process of group development

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to extend the social loafing literature by investigating the role of group development process on perceptions of social loafing within groups. Building on extant literature, it is contended that group members’ association with the group development stages can help in predicting their perceptions of social loafing. Design/methodology/approach Using a cross-sectional survey data were collected from 164 individuals nested in 39 groups. Mixed-effect modeling in R was unitized to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings Results of mixed-effect modeling in R show that group development stage of inclusion and dependency (stage 1) has no significant effect on perceptions of social loafing. Whereas, group development stage of counterdependency and fight (stage 2) has positive, and trust and structure (stage 3) and work (stage 4) has negative effect on perception of social loafing by group members. Originality/value This study investigates unique relationships between group members’ association with different stages of group development and their perceptions of social loafing. Additionally, a newer, shorter and cost-effective scale to measure four stages of group development is developed.

Group Psychotherapy: Development of a Successful Group

Group psychotherapy is a complex and integrative task that is designed to assist patients to better understand their problems and focus on creating change. Effective group therapy is characterized by the concept that the group functions as the agent of change. Primary among those concepts are curative factors that are used to intentionally facilitate group development and member change. In addition, there is an establishment of group norms that help leader and group members to function efficiently. A fully functioning group develops group cohesion, establishes goals that fit each individual member and the group as a whole, and effectively screens group members to enhance therapeutic productivity. This review contains 2 tables and 24 references. Key Words: curative factors, instillation of hope, development of socializing techniques, stages of group development, cohesiveness, norms in group therapy, group goals, screening group members

The Knowledge Management Processes at Different Stages of Group Development

ABSTRACT Based on a developmental approach, this study intended to analyze the extent to which the different stages of group development differ regarding the use of knowledge management processes. The sample comprised 211 teams belonging to a Portuguese military organization. In order to test the hypotheses a multivariate analysis of variance was conducted. The results showed that more mature and cooperative groups (Restructuring/Realization phase) apply to a greater degree the processes of knowledge management, while groups in which there is high intragroup competition and in which members try to “gain power” among themselves (Reframing phase), apply these processes to a lesser degree.

Guest interactions and the formation of memorable experiences: an ethnography

Purpose For most customers, the vacation experience is enjoyed in the company of others; thus, studying customer-to-customer interactions becomes critical. This research aims to explore customer-to-customer interactions and their impact on the guest experience. Design/methodology/approach An ethnographic approach was taken to study a tour group over the course of two weeks. The author was a covert researcher and a member of the touring group. Findings Individuals gained social status both among fellow travelers and also among friends and family by virtue of their travels, the stories told, pictures shared and social media postings. The group became highly cohesive in a short time span, which led to an “in” and “out” group dynamic. Informants were more prone to take risks, owing to both their status as travelers and the group dynamics. The consumption of alcohol was observed along with its positive and negative effects. It was also noted that group members influenced one another during the process of assigning gratuities to the tour guide. Practical implications The marketing of hospitality and tourism services can stress benefits that go beyond one single vacation. Companies can engage in more vigorous efforts to facilitate positive customer-to-customer interactions to enhance the guest experience. Finally, given the speed of group processes and formation of a cohesive environment, organizations should be vigilant of how both employees and customers interact in the early stages of group development. Originality/value Even though mature travelers have been the subject of much research attention, the interactions, habits and influence of young travelers in the literature is underrepresented. Furthermore, the present research challenges the previously held assumption that services are simultaneously produced and consumed. Using pictures, social media posting and stories, informants recall and continue to experience benefits from their vacation.

Understanding the relationship between mental models, conflict and conflict asymmetry

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to test theoretically based hypotheses linking task and team-shared mental models (SMMs) with multiple dimensions of conflict and conflict asymmetry. SMMs are viewed as an underlying mechanism of team processes. While current research has begun to clarify their influence on functional team processes, their influence on dysfunctional processes is still unknown. Design/methodology/approach – The survey was administered to 17 graduate business classes working on intense semester-long group projects. A total of 295 individual responses were received which comprised 90 (N = 90) teams. Findings – Results suggest that team SMMs reduce all dimensions of conflict and relationship conflict asymmetry, while task SMMs increase all dimensions of conflict and relationship conflict asymmetry. Research limitations/implications – This study captured the influence of SMMs on conflict at one stage of group development. Future research should examine the impact of SMMs on conflict at multiple stages of group development. Originality/value – This study contributes to the literature on both mental models and conflict. In addition, based on our literature review, it was the first to empirically link SMMs and conflict asymmetry.