Individual Performance and Group Performance in Problem Solving Related to Group Size and Previous Exposure to the Problem

Simulated virtual realities offer a promising but currently underutilized source of data in studying cultural and demographic aspects of dynamic decision-making (DDM) in small groups. This study focuses on one simulated reality, a clock-driven business simulation game, which is used to teach operations management. The purpose of our study is to analyze the characteristics of the decision-making groups, such as cultural orientation, education, gender and group size, and their relationship to group performance in a real-time processed simulation game. Our study examines decision-making in small groups of two or three employees from a global manufacturing and service operations company. We aim at shedding new light on how such groups with diverse background profiles perform as decision-making units. Our results reveal that the profile of the decision-making group influences the outcome of decision-making, the final business result of the simulation game. In particular, the cultural and gender diversity, as well as group size seem to have intertwined effects on team performance.

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The effects of group size on the structure of interaction in problem‐solving groups

Southern Speech Communication Journal ◽

10.1080/10417947409372242 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 39 (4) ◽

pp. 333-345 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Thomas J. Saine ◽

Linda S. Schulman ◽

Laura C. Emerson

Keyword(s):

Problem Solving ◽

Group Size

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Individual and Group Performance

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1967.21.2.341 ◽

1967 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 341-344

Author(s):

Robert Pawlicki ◽

Walter Gunn

Keyword(s):

Grade Level ◽

Group Performance ◽

Individual Performance ◽

The Other ◽

Lower Grade ◽

Clear Cut ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Upper Level ◽

Shift Change

Two freshman psychology classes were presented a series of factual statements and asked to respond either true or false both individually and collectively to determine the importance of individual performance preceding group performance and vice versa in terms of shift (change of an answer given to a statement in one situation from an answer previously given to the same statement in another situation), the influence on accuracy of one situation preceding the other and the amount of shift observed in students with high grades and those with low grades. The data indicated that students at the extreme lower grade level (quartile IV) tended to shift more than students at the extreme upper level (quartile I), but no clear-cut differentiation appeared in central areas (quartiles II and III). No significant difference in shift occurred when group performance preceded individual performance or vice versa. Group performance preceding individual performance did prove to have a beneficial influence upon the individual's performance in that Ss conform somewhat to the performance of the group. The accuracy of the group performance was superior to that of the individuals.

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Estimating the Difference Between Group Versus Individual Performance on Problem-Solving Tasks

Group & Organization Studies ◽

10.1177/105960118701200307 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 319-342 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Robert A. Cooke ◽

John A. Kernaghan

Keyword(s):

Problem Solving ◽

Group Versus ◽

Individual Performance ◽

The Difference

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Group Performance Related to Size and Initial Ability of Group Members

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1971.28.2.551 ◽

1971 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 551-557 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Morton Goldman

Keyword(s):

Group Size ◽

Group Performance ◽

Test Results ◽

Ability Levels ◽

Group Members ◽

Paper And Pencil ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship ◽

Different Levels

This study examined the relationship of group performance as a function of group size, where members within each group are of similar initial ability levels, but members in different groups are of different levels. 5 wk. later on the basis of a paper-and-pencil test, Ss were formed into groups composed of all high Ss, all medium Ss, and all low Ss, with size varying from 2 to 5 persons. Ss working as a group retook the same test. Results showed that groups with different initial levels have their own unique patterns of improvement as the size of the group increases.

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