consortiums

PROJECT 1

SELECTION AND CLASSIFICATION

Ann L. Canty, Andreas Schwab
School of Business Administration,
University of Mississippi

Proposed Grant $89,000

Abstract:
The purpose of this research is to examine relationships among member characteristics in the composition of a team and in team effectiveness. Recent research has suggested that personality variables at both the individual level and the group level should be considered when investigating team processes and effectiveness. Included in this analysis will be an examination of

personality attributes, collective efficacy, trust, and coordination within a team to determine their effect on team effectiveness. An important aspect of the proposed research is that it will examine team effectiveness using a virtual team design linked through computer technology. Virtual teams linked through computer technology will be compared to traditional teams in terms of team effectiveness and the development of team processes.

This basic research project has the potential to contribute to the organization of work by the Navy. Teamwork has long been a tradition in the Navy, but the formal development of teams for specific purposes is an objective in Sailor 21. The ability of the Navy to accomplish its recruiting mission is dependent, in part, on teams (Sailor 21, pp. 14-15), and this proposal on the effectiveness of teams will add to the utility of Navy teams.

Research on the characteristics that make a successful team member is necessary. Non-cognitive measures of performance are mentioned in Sailor 21 (pp. 32, 35, 37, 39). With personality measured at both the individual and team level, this research will permit the Navy to select team members who will be successful in a team environment. In addition, these individual characteristics will provide information about individual preferences for team structure (Sailor 21, p. 16).