Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Putting the “Team” into Teamwork: Alternative Theoretical Contributions for Contemporary Management Practice

  • Published:
Human Relations

Abstract

This paper establishes that teamwork is afunction of how team members perceive the team and theirrole in it. Social identity theory (Hogg & Abrams,1993; Tajfel & Turner, 1986) and self-categorization theory (Turner, 1987) offer explanations forthe cognitive, evaluative, and emotional processes whichmotivate individuals to join a social group and enhancetheir ability to contribute to the maximum of their ability, which would be desirable formany team tasks. Social identity theory posits that themotivation for thinking, feeling, and thus working as acohesive unit is socially constructed. Highly productive teamwork requires that team membersrecognize the team as a unit and as an attractive workarrangement. Fundamental assumptions of contemporarymanagement, and management research, are challenged to integrate social identityfindings.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • ABRAMS, D. How do group members regulate their behavior? An integration of social identity and self-awareness theories. In D. Abrams and M. A. Hogg (Eds.), Social identity theory: Constructive and critical advances. New York: Springer Verlag, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • ABRAMS, D., & HOGG, M. A. Comments on the motivational status of self-esteem in social identity and intergroup discrimination. European Journal of Social Psychology, 1988, 18, 317–334.

    Google Scholar 

  • AMASON, A. C., THOMPSON, K. R., HOCHWARTER, W. A., & HARRISON, A. W. Conflict: An important dimension in successful management teams. Organizational Dynamics, 1995, 24, 20–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • ASHFORTH, B. E., & MAEL, F. Social identity theory and the organization. Academy of Management Review, 1989, 14(1),, 20–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • BISHOP, C., & GRAHAM, C. Self-directed work teams: The search for a better way, Part 2. Training and Development in Australia, 1991, 19(1), 23–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • BISHOP, C., & GRAHAM, C. Self-directed work teams: The search for a better way. Training and Development in Australia, 1992, 18(4),, 23–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • BOURGEOIS, L. J., & EISENHARDT, M. Strategic decision proce sses in high ve locity environments: Four cases in the microcomputer industry. Management Science, 1988, 34(7), 816–835.

    Google Scholar 

  • BREAKWELL, G. M. Identities and conflicts. In G.M. Breakwell (Ed.), Threatened identities. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  • BROWN, R. Divided we fall: An analysis of relations between sections of factory workforce. In H. Tajfel (Ed.), Differentiation between social grou ps: Studies in the social psychology of intergroup relations. London: Acade mic Press, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • BROWN R. Group processes: Dynamics within and between groups. Oxford: Basil Blackwell Ltd., 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  • BROWN, R., HINKLE, S., ELY, P. G., FOX-CARDAMONE, L., MARAS, P., & TAYLOR, L. A. Recognising group diversity: Individualist-relational and autonomous-relational social orientations and their implications for intergroup processes. British Journal of Social Psychology, 1992, 31,, 327–342.

    Google Scholar 

  • FESTINGER, L. The theory of cognitive dissonance. New York: Harper & Row, 1957.

    Google Scholar 

  • FREUD, S. In A. A. Brill (Ed.), The basic writings of Sigmund Freud. New York: Random House, 1938.

    Google Scholar 

  • GECAS, V. Rekindling the sociological imagination in social psychology. Journal for the Theory of Social Behavior, 1989, 19(1),, 97–115.

    Google Scholar 

  • GERSICK, C. J. G. Time and transition in work teams: Toward a new model of group development. Academy of Management Journal, 1988, 312(1), 9–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • GERSICK, C. J. G. Making time: Predictable transitions in task groups. Academy of Management Journal, 1989, 32(2), 274–309.

    Google Scholar 

  • GOODMAN, P. S., RAVLIN, E., & SCHMINKE, M. Understanding groups in organizations. Research in Organizational Behavior, 1987, 9,, 121–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • GRUENFE LD, D. H., & HOLLINGSHEAD, A. B. Sociocognition in work groups: The evolution of group integrative complexity and its relation to task and performance. Small Group Research, 1993, 24(3),, 383–405.

    Google Scholar 

  • HACKMAN, J. R. Groups that work (and those that don't): Creating conditions for effective teamwork. San Francisco: Jossey Bass, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • HEIDER, F. The psychology of interpersonal relations. New York: Wiley, 1958.

    Google Scholar 

  • HOGG, M. A., & ABRAMS, D. Social identification: A social psychology of in tergroup relations and group processes. London: Routledge, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  • HOGG, M. A., & ABRAMS, D. Social motivation, self-esteem and social identity. In D. Abrams and M. A. Hogg (Eds.), Social identity theory: Constructive and critical advances. New York: Springer Verlag, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • HOGG, M. A., & ABRAMS, D. Towards a single-process uncertainty reduction model of social motivation in groups. In M.A. Hogg and D. Abrams (Eds.), Group motivation: Social psychological perspectives. New York: Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  • HOGG, M. A., & HARDIE, E. A. Social attraction, personal attraction, and self-categorization: A field study. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 1991, 17,, 175–180.

    Google Scholar 

  • HOGG, M. A., & TURNER, J. C. Intergroup behavior, self-stereotyping and the salience of social categories. British Journal of Social Psychology, 1987, 26,, 325–340.

    Google Scholar 

  • HOGG, M. A., COOPER-SHAW, L., & HOLZWORTH, D. W. Group prototypicality and depersonalised attraction in small interactive groups. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 1993, 19(4),, 452–465.

    Google Scholar 

  • KATZENBACH, J. R., & SMITH, D. K. The wisdom of teams: Creating the high-performing organization. Boston: Harvard School Press, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  • KLIMOSKI, R., & MOHAMMED, S. Team mental model: Construct or metaphor? Journal of Management, 1994, 20(2),, 403–437.

    Google Scholar 

  • van KNIPPENBERG, A., & ELLEMERS, N. Strategies in intergroup relations. In M.A. Hogg and D. Abrams (Eds.), Group motivation: Social psychological perspective. Hertfordshire, Cornwall: Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  • LEMBKE, S., & WILSON, M. The psychology of teamthink: A journey towards highly productive teamwork. In M. Bullock, C. Friday, and K. Belcher (Eds.), The 1996 international conference on work teams. Proceedings. The University of North Texas, 1996.

  • McCLELLAND, D. Human motivation. New York: Scott Freeman, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGRATH, J. E. Groups: Interaction and performance. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGRATH, J. E. Ten critical needs for theory and practice. In P. S. Goodman and Associates (Eds.), Designing effective work groups. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • MINTZBERG, H. Structures in fives: Designing effective organ izations. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  • MORELAND, R., LEVINE, J., & CINI, M. Group socialisation: The role of commitment. In M. A. Hogg and D. Abrams (Eds.), Group motivation: Social psychological perspectives. New York: Harve ster Whe atsheaf, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  • NECK, C., & MANZ, C. C. From groupthink to teamthink: toward the creation of constructive thought patterns in self managed work teams. Human Relations, 1994, 47(8),, 929–952.

    Google Scholar 

  • RABBIE, J. M. Determinants of instrumental intra-group cooperation. In R. A. Hinde and J. Groebel (Eds.), Cooperation and prosocial behavior. Cambridge: University Press, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  • RABBIE, J. M., SCHOT, J. C., & VISSER, L. Social identity theory: A conceptual and empirical critique from the perspective of a behavioral interaction model. European Journal of Social Psychology, 1989, 19,, 171–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • SCHLENKER, B. R. Introduction: Foundations of the self in social life. In B. R. Schlenker (Ed.), The self and social life. New York: McGraw Hill, 1985. (a)

    Google Scholar 

  • SCHLENKER, B. R. Identity and self-identification. In B. R. Schlenker (Ed.), The self and social life. New York: McGraw Hill, 1985. (b)

    Google Scholar 

  • SCOTT, D., & TOWNSEND, A. Teams: Why some succe ed and others fail? HR Magazine, 1994, 62–65.

  • SHERIF, M. Superordinate goals in the reduction for intergroup conflict: An experimental evaluation. In W. G. Austin and S. Worchel (Eds.), Psychology of intergroup relations. Chicago: Nelson Hall Publisher, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • STACE, D., & DUNPHY, D. Beyond the boundaries: Leading and re-creating the successful enterprise. Sydney, Australia: McGraw Hill, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  • STEVENS, M. J., & CAMPION, M. A. The knowledge, skill and ability requirements for teamwork: Implications for human resources management. Journal of Management, 1994, 20(2),, 503–530.

    Google Scholar 

  • SUNDSTROM, E., DE MEUSE, K. P., & FUTRELL, D. Work teams: Application and e ffectiveness. Special issue: Organizational psychology. American Psychologist, 1990, 45(2), 120–133.

    Google Scholar 

  • TAJFEL, H. Social psychology of intergroup relations. Annual Review of Psychology, 1982, 33, 1–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • TAJFEL, H., & TURNER, J. An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. In W. G. Austin and S. Worchel (Eds.), The social psychology of intergroup relation s. Monterey, CA: Brooks/Cole Publisher, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • TAJFEL, H., & TURNER, J. C. The social identity theory of intergroup behavior. In S. Worchel and W. G. Austin (Eds.), Psychology of intergroup relations (2nd ed.). Chicago: Nelson-Hall Publishers, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • TJOSVOLD, D. Participation: A close look at its dynamics. Journal of Management, 1987, 13(4), 739–750.

    Google Scholar 

  • TRIANDIS, H. C. The self and social behavior in differing cultural contexts. Psychological Review, 1989, 96(3),, 506–520.

    Google Scholar 

  • TUCKMAN, B. W. Developmental sequence s in small groups. Psychological Bulletin, 1965, 63(6), 384–399.

    Google Scholar 

  • TURNER, J. C. Rediscovering the social group: A self-categorization theory. Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  • TURNER, J. C., & OAKES, P. J. The significance of the social identity concept for social psychology with re ference to individualism, interactionism and social influence. British Journal of Social Psychology, 1986, 25, 237–252.

    Google Scholar 

  • WEST, M. Reflexivity and Revolution: Teamwork in the 21st Century. Paper presented at The 1996 international conference on work teams. University of North Texas, 1996.

Download references

Authors
  1. Svan Lembke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marie G. Wilson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lembke, S., Wilson, M.G. Putting the “Team” into Teamwork: Alternative Theoretical Contributions for Contemporary Management Practice. Human Relations 51, 927–944 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016951611667

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016951611667

Search

Navigation