Diving deep into team adaptation

Georganta, Eleni; Kugler, Katharina G. ; Reif, Julia A. M. und Brodbeck, Felix C. (2021): Diving deep into team adaptation. How does it really unfold over time? In: Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice, Bd. 25, Nr. 2: S. 137-151

Abstract

Objective: We investigated whether teams adapt to an unexpected event by executing the 4-phase team adaptation process (i.e., situation assessment, plan formulation, plan execution, and team learning) and whether the execution of this 4-phase sequence leads to high team performance, as proposed by Rosen et al. (2011). Method: In a laboratory study, we observed 70 teams of 4 individuals performing a task after an unexpected event. We coded the sequence of team adaptation phases based on team members’ communications and behaviors. For hypothesis testing, we performed a lag sequential analysis to determine whether sequences of team adaptation phases occurred (1) more often than other sequences and (2) more often in high- versus low-performing teams. Results: Theoretically predicted phase sequences did not occur more often than other phase sequences, except for the 2-phase sequence situation assessment followed by plan execution. Instead, teams performed “forward–backward” sequences between plan formulation and plan execution and between plan formulation and situation assessment. Theoretically proposed sequences were less frequent in high- versus low-performing teams, whereas other phase sequences not proposed by theory were more frequent in high-performing teams. This suggests that high-performing teams were more flexible in their sequencing of team adaptation phases. Conclusions: Our research suggests more flexible sequences of team adaptation phases than proposed by theory and thus draws a nuanced picture of the complex nature of the team adaptation process. To fully capture the team adaptation process, we suggest incorporating forward–backward phase sequences into team adaptation theory.

• Dokumententyp: Zeitschriftenartikel
• Publikationsform: Publisher's Version
• Fakultät: Psychologie und Pädagogik > Department Psychologie > Wirtschafts- und Organisationspsychologie
• Themengebiete: 100 Philosophie und Psychologie > 150 Psychologie
• ISSN: 1089-2699; 1930-7802
• Sprache: Englisch