Teams and teamwork can be found in every organisation. A critical literature review on teams and team building is given. Assumptions concerning defining, evaluating and building teams are stated. Understandings of the topic vary significantly. Teams are seen as co-operations of individuals which are working together to accomplish given tasks. Also advantages and disadvantages differ within the topic depending on the philosophical approach. Advantages of teams are well understood but less proved. Team building is highlighted by two different frameworks. Statements about effective teamwork are reviewed an evaluated. Additionally, the system model as a framework for effective teamwork is illustrated and discussed. Core components like communication, shared beliefs, leadership and shared decision-making, training, and selection are explained. Arguments about teams and teamwork are mainly based on secondary research and narratives rather than primary research. The contrariness of the topic can be explained by a lack of research. Furthermore, methods and methodologies as well as suggestions for further research and limitations are illustrated.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
LITERATURE REVIEW
UNDERSTANDING OF THE TOPIC
DEFINING TEAMS
EVALUATING TEAMS
BUILDING TEAMS
EFFECTIVE TEAMWORK
CORE COMPONENTS OF EFFECTIVE TEAMS
COMMUNICATION
GOAL SETTING & VISION SHARING
LEADERSHIP & DECISION-MAKING
TEAM TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
TEAM SELECTION & RECRUITMENT
FURTHER CORE COMPONENTS
METHODS AND METHODOLOGY
FURTHER RESEARCH
LIMITATION OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW
CONCLUSION OF LITERATURE REVIEW
Objectives and Research Focus
The primary objective of this work is to provide a critical literature review on the concepts of teams and team building, specifically centering on effective team performance by evaluating existing academic and practitioner-oriented literature through the conceptual framework of Bloom's taxonomy.
- Analysis of definitions and the ambiguity surrounding the "team" concept.
- Critical evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of team-based work models.
- Investigation of core components required for effective teamwork, such as leadership, communication, and selection.
- Examination of the philosophical paradigms (functionalism vs. interpretivism) applied in team research.
- Assessment of current research methodologies and identification of gaps for future studies.
Excerpt from the Book
DEFINING TEAMS
Nowadays, teams and teamwork are seen in every organisation and are inescapable in modern systems to achieve and sustain success. (Church, 1998) Over the last 30 years many organisations turned from individual working to team-acting. It is argued that, due to the new advanced technology, teamwork in a sense of employee commitment is more needed than control and compliance. (Huszczo, 1990) Teamwork is worldwide used (Church, 1998) and it seems to be a trend or a ‘fashion’ that everybody has to be involved in a team to be successful. (Mullins, 2002, Ingram et al, 1997)
Within the literature, that is reviewed, definitions of teams vary significantly. It also has to be mentioned that there exist no clear and sustainable explanations. Many authors are not able to explain the term in a clear sense. Everyone has a subjective and formless understanding of ‘teams’, which can be summarised as: Several people who are co-operating together to achieve an organisational or individual goal. (Belbin, 1973; Gustafson & Kleiner, 1994; Ingram, et al, 1997; Spears, 1996; Staniforth, 1996; etc.) The vagueness of a definition is caused by a lack of research and evaluation of the topic. (Currie & Procter, 2003; Staniforth, 1996) Nevertheless, according to Salas et al (2000), and there review, a leading definition categorise teams as a set of individuals “interacting adaptively, interdependently, and dynamically towards a common […] goal” (Salas, et al, 2000, p.341) Teams are defined from two perspectives: The functionalistic and the interpretative approach.
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: Outlines the increasing significance of teams in modern organizations and defines the scope of the critical literature review.
LITERATURE REVIEW: Establishes the foundation of the research by defining what constitutes a literature review and the methodology used to select articles.
UNDERSTANDING OF THE TOPIC: Explores the confusion regarding team definitions, examines different types of teams, and discusses how the concept has evolved over time.
EVALUATING TEAMS: Analyzes the debate surrounding the effectiveness of teams compared to individual work, highlighting both functional and critical viewpoints.
BUILDING TEAMS: Focuses on team composition and role models, including Belbin’s team roles and the KSA (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities) framework.
EFFECTIVE TEAMWORK: Defines the characteristics of effective teamwork and discusses the system model (inputs, throughputs, and outputs) used to categorize these factors.
CORE COMPONENTS OF EFFECTIVE TEAMS: Breaks down specific elements required for high performance, including communication, goal setting, leadership, and recruitment.
METHODS AND METHODOLOGY: Analyzes the philosophical paradigms (functionalism and interpretivism) used by authors in the reviewed literature.
FURTHER RESEARCH: Identifies the limitations of existing research and proposes directions for future empirical and qualitative studies.
LIMITATION OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW: Acknowledges the constraints of the study, particularly regarding the limited number of analyzed articles.
CONCLUSION OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Synthesizes the main findings and reiterates that while team concepts are widely accepted, they lack deep empirical proof and standardized definitions.
Keywords
Teams, Teamwork, Team Building, Effectiveness, Leadership, Communication, Functionalism, Interpretivism, Organizational Behavior, Team Roles, KSA, Meta-analysis, Team Performance, Management, Collaboration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
This paper provides a critical literature review on the topic of teams and team building, investigating how teams are defined, evaluated, and managed within various organizational contexts.
What are the central themes of the document?
The central themes include the definitions of teamwork, the evaluation of team performance, the impact of leadership and communication, and the underlying philosophical paradigms used by researchers to study team dynamics.
What is the primary research question or goal?
The primary goal is to assess current academic and practitioner literature to determine the validity of claims regarding team effectiveness, while identifying gaps in empirical research.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The author performs a critical literature review, analyzing approximately 29 articles and several books to categorize findings through the lenses of functionalist and interpretivist paradigms.
What is treated in the main part of the report?
The main part covers the conceptualization of teams, frameworks for team building (such as Belbin's roles), and detailed analysis of core components like goal setting, decision-making, and team training.
How would you characterize this paper with keywords?
Key terms include teams, teamwork, effectiveness, organizational behavior, functionalism, interpretivism, and team dynamics.
How do the authors differentiate between functionalist and interpretivist approaches?
Functionalism is characterized as a search for generalized, scientific truths and objective measurement, whereas interpretivism focuses on subjective meanings, social context, and the relationship between the researcher and the subjects.
What role do "core components" play in team effectiveness?
Core components—such as communication, shared goals, leadership, and team selection—are viewed as the necessary "throughputs" in a system model that transform individual inputs into effective team performance.
Why does the author argue that more primary research is needed?
The author concludes that most current literature is based on anecdotal evidence, subjective experience, or meta-analysis rather than rigorous primary studies, leading to inconclusive results regarding the universal "advantageousness" of teams.
- Quote paper
- Sven Rosenhauer (Author), 2005, Teams and Teamwork as the Basis of Effectiveness, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/119451
