1. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 1 It’s Not Easy Being a Team: Researching Collaboration from All Sides INFORMS Speaker Series December 10, 2004

2. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 2 OverviewOverview  Definition  Team Communication Research  Shared Mental Model Data Collection  Modeling Teams

3. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 3 Cross-Functional Project Teams A collection of two or more individuals, representing different functional areas, assembled to work on a time-limited, non-repetitive assignment. Source: Cohen and Bailey, 1997

4. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 4 OverviewOverview  Definition  Team Communication Research  Shared Mental Model Data Collection  Modeling Teams

5. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 5 The Team Communication- Performance Relationship  Team members must integrate different frames of reference.  Too much information exchanged will overload the team members’ information processing capabilities and will inhibit performance.  Too little communication will not supply enough information and will also lead to low performance.  Current research gives mixed results about this relationship.

6. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 6 Empirical Research Approach  Questionnaire designed and administered.  Final sample representing 60 teams (630 respondents) in 25 corporations and government organizations – aerospace, automotive, public utilities, electronics and communication.  Response rate – 61%..  Analysis: Multiple Regression.

7. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 7 Empirical Research Findings

8. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 8 Empirical Research Findings

9. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 9 Simulation Research Approach  Simulation algorithm developed  Simulation coded in Visual C++  10,000 simulations performed

10. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 10 Simulation Research Approach

11. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 11 Simulation Research – Findings  Communication Type

12. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 12 Simulation Research – Findings  Project Complexity

13. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 13 Simulation Research – Findings  Communication Media Efficiency

14. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 14 Optimization Research Approach  Communication as a function of performance: p i = ax i 2 - bx i + c x i =  y ij +  z ij  Team Performance Max P T =  p i /N N = size of the team K = level of interdependence, 1< i < K N = 3 K = 2 N = 6 K = 4

15. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 15 Optimization Research Approach  Team size  N = 3, 6, 9, 18 and 27  Team interdependence  K = 0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24  Member ability  Low, Medium and High a i  650 models solved

16. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 16 Optimization Research Findings  Team Size

17. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 17 Optimization Research Findings  Team Interdependence

18. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 18 Team Communication The Story  A curvilinear relationship exists (empirical)  The amount of information exchanged is the reason for this relationship (simulation)  Team size and interdependence do not impact this relationship (optimization)

19. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 19 OverviewOverview  Definition  Team Communication Research  Shared Mental Model Data Collection  Modeling Teams

20. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 20 Shared Mental Models (SMM) “Knowledge [and belief] structures held by members of a team that enable them to form accurate explanations and expectations for the task, and in turn, to coordinate their actions and adapt their behavior to demands of [their unique situation]. Source: Cannon-Bowers, Salas, and Converse, 1993

21. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 21 YES NO Teamwork Orientation Differentiation Taskwork Integration Changes or adjustments required? SMM Development

22. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 22 SMM Content Requirements Determinants  Individual  Team  Organization  Environment Models  Team membership  Project goals  Project work allocation  Project team interaction  Climate  Context

23. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 23 Teamwork SMM MM 1 MM 2 MM n YES NO Taskwork SMM Changes or adjustmen ts required? Orientation Differentiation Orientation Differentiation Integration Orientation Differentiation Integration Multiple SMM Development Process

24. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 24 SMM Research Approach  Class Project Quasi-Experiments  Laboratory Experiments

25. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 25  Experimental design  Sample: student teams completing semester long projects  IV: mental models (team organization, goals, work allocation, interaction processes)  DV: team performance  Data collection  Questionnaire (qualitative and quantitative)  Project performance assessment (project grades)  Data analyses  Qualitative and quantitative analyses Quasi Experiment Design

26. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 26 Quasi Experiment Results  N=16 teams  Preliminary evidence  Focus of mental models shifts from general to specific over time Goals: overarching goal to task oriented goals Organization: structure to who’s who

27. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 27 Quasi Experiment Results

28. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 28  2x2 Experimental design  SMM development  Virtuality  Variables  IV: mental models (goals, membership, interaction)  DV: team performance  Sample: 3 person student teams Laboratory Experiment Design

29. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 29 Face-to-FaceFace-to-Face

30. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 30 Computer-MediatedComputer-Mediated

31. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 31  2x2 Experimental design  SMM development  Virtuality  Variables  IV: mental models (goals, membership, interaction)  DV: team performance  Sample: 3 person student teams Laboratory Experiment Design

32. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 32 Laboratory Experiment Design  Scheduling Task  Task Objective: Create a workforce schedule with the minimum cost in the minimum time  Participant Roles: Human resource representative Union representative Production manager

33. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 33 Laboratory Experiment Design

34. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 34 Laboratory Experiment Design

35. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 35 Laboratory Experiment Results Goals AgreementT1 = T2 Interaction AgreementT1 < T2 Time PerformanceT1 > T2 Quality PerformanceT1 < T2

36. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 36  Interaction Mental Model Laboratory Experiment Results: Face-Face v. Computer Mediated T1T2 F2F4.864.89 CM3.564.71

37. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 37  Quality Performance – No difference  Time Performance – significant difference T1T2 F2F66.3 min.42.5 min. CM80.8 min.52.5 min. Laboratory Experiment Results: Face-Face v. Computer Mediated

38. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 38  A set of controlled experiments is planned to determine the effects of  Time pressure  Environmental uncertainty on SMM development and team performance. Laboratory Experiment Extension

39. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 39 Laboratory Experiments Sample Size F2FCM Control36 Time Pressure3031 Environmental Uncertainty 33

40. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 40 OverviewOverview  Definition  Team Communication Research  Shared Mental Model Data Collection  Modeling Teams

41. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 41 Modeling Teams  Micro Level  SMM Development Process  SMM Content  Macro Level  Team Behavior

42. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 42 Modeling Team Behavior Approach  Model developed following systems theory guidelines  Experimental data used to estimate relationships  Model simulated in Matlab

43. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 43 Team Processes Simulation Results

44. Dr. Sara Ann McComb and Ms. Ralitza Patrashkova Isenberg School of Management University of Massachusetts Amherst 44 ConclusionConclusion  Multiple approaches provide complementary views of team phenomenon.  Taken together the results comprehensively inform theory and practice.