decisions can be biased by the ambition of forming a consistent team, which blocks the team members’ ability to think rationally. Further disadvantages mentioned by Boddy (2005) are the idea that teams could become too independent from their organisation by developing their own dynamics and the fact that teamwork takes too much time since decisions are mainly made by time consuming discussions
However, the actual use of teamwork as a method of doing work is not merely a question about the advantages and disadvantages of teamwork. In fact, it should be examined in two different dimensions - the effectiveness and the efficiency of teamwork. The initial question should therefore be divided into two parts: is teamwork effective in a way that the team achieves the goals that were set? And how many resources have to be spent to achieve these goals?
The first question has already been answered. Teams are highly effective. All team members bring in different values, skills and experiences. The results of teams are therefore based on a much broader background compared to those of working groups, which essentially means that team results are more effective. There may be situations where working groups deliver results of almost the same quality but those are rare. Boddy (2005) mentions, in this context, small technical problems, that could be resolved by independently working people. Katzenbach and Smith (1993a) believe that teams outperform working groups especially when the task requires both multiple skills and experience. The second question is not as easy to answer. The literature on teamwork has deeply analysed the notion of effectiveness of teams. But the question about their efficiency has found little attention. In order to assess the efficiency of teamwork I want to have a more detailed look on the problems arising from it. At this point, I need to point out that all the assertions about the advantages of teamwork and its effectiveness are based on the assumptions that the team members work perfectly or at least well together, i.e. that they are implemented correctly. Non-functioning teams can cause serious damage to both the team members and the organisation they belong to. Therefore, it is absolutely vital that the problems that can arise from teamwork are solved promptly. A problem that no one takes care of can delete all benefits of teamwork.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- How useful is teamwork as a method of doing work?
- The question about the use of teamwork
- Teamwork vs. teams
- Advantages and disadvantages of teamwork
- Effectiveness and efficiency of teamwork
- Effectiveness of teamwork
- Efficiency of teamwork
- Problems arising from teamwork
- Set-up phase
- Maintenance of a team
- Cultural differences
- Experience
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay explores the usefulness of teamwork as a method of doing work, going beyond a simple analysis of advantages and disadvantages. It examines the effectiveness and efficiency of teamwork, arguing that while teams are highly effective in achieving goals, they are also highly inefficient due to the significant resources required for their setup, maintenance, and overcoming challenges related to cultural diversity and experience.- Effectiveness of Teamwork
- Efficiency of Teamwork
- Problems in Team Formation and Management
- Cultural Diversity and Teamwork
- Experience and Team Effectiveness
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The essay begins by defining teamwork and discussing its advantages and disadvantages. It highlights the effectiveness of teams in achieving results compared to working groups, attributing this to the combined skills, experiences, and values of team members. However, it acknowledges the potential for groupthink and other drawbacks. The essay then delves into the efficiency of teamwork. It identifies numerous problems that arise during team setup, maintenance, and throughout the team's lifecycle, including the need for careful team design, communication challenges, and the ongoing need for coordination and leadership. The essay also explores the impact of cultural diversity and the importance of team experience, highlighting the resource investment required to overcome these challenges.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This essay focuses on the effectiveness and efficiency of teamwork, examining the challenges of team formation, management, and cultural diversity. It explores the role of experience in team effectiveness and considers the resource investment required for successful teamwork, suggesting that despite its high effectiveness, teamwork can be a highly inefficient method due to the complex challenges it presents.- Quote paper
- Jonas Augustin (Author), 2007, How useful is teamwork as a method of doing work?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/174201
