Weakest Link Goal Orientations and Team Expertise: Implications for Team Performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 315-347
Author(s):  
Sorin Valcea ◽  
Maria Hamdani ◽  
Bret Bradley

Using prior theory and research, we argue that a team member with a low learning goal or a high avoid orientation is detrimental for the expertise–performance relationship in team tasks. Results from a study of 82 teams showed that, after controlling for goal orientation team composition, expertise improved team performance only when teams did not have a weak link team member. In contrast, when teams had this weak link teammate, expertise did not improve performance, and in some cases damaged it. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.

2018 ◽  
Vol 93 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus C. Arnold ◽  
R. Lynn Hannan ◽  
Ivo D. Tafkov

ABSTRACT This study investigates whether subjective communication from team members to a manager responsible for allocating performance-based bonuses increases team performance and whether the efficacy of such communication is reduced in heterogeneous teams. We draw on both economic and behavioral theories to predict that communication content, even though subjective, provides information that enables the manager to allocate bonuses so as to enhance the relation between individuals' contributions and rewards, thereby increasing individuals' effort and team performance. However, we also predict that the positive effect of team member subjective communication is more muted when team members' abilities are heterogeneous compared to homogeneous. We test these predictions via an experiment. Consistent with our predictions, team member subjective communication has a positive effect on team performance, and the positive effect is more muted for heterogeneous teams. Results of our study contribute to both theory and practice by enhancing our understanding of the role of subjective communication from team members to team managers in motivating effort in teams and, particularly, how its efficacy is affected by team composition. Data Availability: Data are available from the authors upon request.


Author(s):  
Shin ◽  
Kim ◽  
Hur

Drawing on Dragoni’s cross-level model of state goal orientation, this research aims to examine the cross-level mediating effect of team goal orientation on the relationships between interteam cooperation and competition and three forms of boundary activities. Study 1 tested the proposed mediating relationships by collecting survey data from 249 members of 45 South Korean work teams. Additionally, we conducted a two-wave longitudinal study (Study 2) on 188 undergraduate students to replicate the relationships between three types of team goal orientation and their relevant forms of boundary activities. In Study 1, we found positive associations between interteam cooperation and team learning goal orientation, and between interteam competition and team performance-prove and performance-avoid goal orientations. Team learning and performance-prove goal orientations were positively related to boundary spanning and reinforcement. As predicted, team learning goal orientation had a stronger relationship with boundary spanning than team performance-prove goal orientation, whereas team performance-prove goal orientation had a stronger relationship with boundary reinforcement than team learning goal orientation. While team learning goal orientation mediated the relationship between interteam cooperation and boundary spanning and reinforcement, team performance-prove goal orientation mediated the relationship between interteam competition and boundary spanning and reinforcement. The results of Study 2 demonstrated the positive lagged effects of team performance-prove goal orientation on boundary reinforcement and of team performance-avoid goal orientation on boundary buffering.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 715-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiamin Zhang ◽  
Yi Wang ◽  
Marina Yue Zhang

ABSTRACTThis article investigates the impact of cross-level interplay between team members’ and their leaders’ goal orientations (learning, performance approach, and performance avoidance) on knowledge sharing using samples from design teams in two companies in China. Our results show that team leaders’ learning goal orientation plays a critical moderating role. Specifically, team leaders’ learning goal orientation strengthens the positive relationship between team members’ learning orientation and knowledge sharing; positively moderates the relationship between team members’ performance approach orientation and knowledge sharing; and weakens the negative relationship between team members’ performance avoidance orientation and knowledge sharing. Team leaders’ performance approach orientation demonstrates a positive moderating effect when there is congruence between the performance approach orientation of leaders and members. Finally, team leaders’ performance avoidance orientation negatively moderates the relationship between team members’ learning and performance approach orientation on knowledge sharing. This research enhances our understanding of the conditions under which knowledge sharing occurs among team members, using the lens of Trait Activation Theory.


2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-86
Author(s):  
Ranka Perućica ◽  
Olivera Kalajdžić

The attitudes that parents have towards learning are very significant for the forming of staudents' attitudes towards learning. The importance of this study lies in uncovering the extent to which students' own attitudes to learning depend on the level of parental involvement and parental demands, and the extent to which the insights obtained can be used as the basis for determining the manner in which parents should be engaged in and devote attention to their children's learning. In this paper, students' attitudes to learning were observed through two variables, namely students' learning goal orientation and their approaches to learning. The research sample consisted of 802 seventh-, eighthand ninth-grade primary school students. We started from the assumption that certain differences exist among the given variables. For the purposes of the study we used an instrument for measuring students' approach to learning, an instrument for measuring learning goal orientations and an instrument for measuring the level of demands and the level of support in the family environment. The reliability of the instruments was verified through Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The data obtained indicate that there is a statistically significant difference in learning goal orientations and approaches to learning among students depending on the level of parental demands and the level of parental involvement. Students whose parents provide high levels of support are more likely to have mastery goal orientation and an in-depth approach to learning, regardless of the level of demands. The pedagogical recommendation that can be made based on the results is that parents should provide their children with a high level of support for learning so that they can achieve the best possible results.


2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 830-858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janice Francis Super ◽  
Teresa K. Betts ◽  
Heath Keller ◽  
Joy Roach Humphreys

Background. Because computer-based simulation games are widely used in university classrooms, it is important to investigate factors which can lead to effective student team performance and positive individual outcomes. Aim. This correlational study aimed to examine the effects of knowledge sharing norms, transactive memory systems, and individual learning goal orientations on game outcomes. Method. The setting for this study was an undergraduate logistics and supply chain class. The class uses a serious simulation game which is designed to realistically mimic the business transactions within an enterprise resource planning system (ERP). Cross-sectional surveys captured individual learning goal orientations. After multiple rounds of simulation game play, subsequent surveys captured student reactions, perceptions of knowledge sharing behaviors, and transactive memory systems. Results. Two sets of analyses were conducted using a sample of 100 undergraduates performing in 42 teams. At the group-level, OLS regression results suggest that, while there was no effect on objective team performance, knowledge sharing norms enhanced perceptions of team performance, and this effect was mediated through the development of transactive memory systems. For individual-level outcomes, multilevel results suggest that knowledge sharing norms were positively related to satisfaction with the team, but not satisfaction with the task. However, transactive memory systems were positively related both satisfaction with the team and satisfaction with the task. Individual learning goal orientation was positively related to satisfaction with the task but not satisfaction with the team. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that learning goal orientations and norms for knowledge sharing are linked to positive outcomes of team-based simulation game learning activities. Because learning goal orientations are malleable and norms for knowledge sharing can be encouraged, these factors are within the influence of the instructor. As such, they should be nurtured and developed through the active encouragement of experimentation, exploration, and communication between team members.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (1) ◽  
pp. 17449
Author(s):  
Niranjan Srinivasan Janardhanan ◽  
Kyle Lewis ◽  
Cynthia Kay Stevens

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 825-843 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiung-Yi Huang ◽  
Jia-Chi Huang ◽  
Yuhsuan Chang

AbstractThis study aims to examine team goal orientation composition regarding the different roles of a leader’s and team members’ collective goal orientation, and the effects of these on team outcomes. Data included 268 respondents from 64 teams. Results showed team members’ learning goal orientation has positive effect on team performance, mediated by team efficacy. Further, for the role of team leader, the results also revealed the same pattern. Study also showed a leader’s performance goal orientation has negatively related on team performance, mediated by team efficacy. Finally, taking both roles simultaneously, study indicated the interaction between a leader’s and members’ performance goal orientation has negatively related to team efficacy, and the interaction between a leader’s and members’ learning goal orientation has negatively related to team performance. This research contributes to the existing goal orientation theory by taking the different roles of team leader and members into consideration.


2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 331-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Brad Harris ◽  
Wonjoon Chung ◽  
Holly M. Hutchins ◽  
Dan S. Chiaburu

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to examine the additive and joint effects of trainer directiveness and trainees’ learning goal orientation on training satisfaction and transfer. Design/methodology/approach – Survey responses from a sample (N = 243) of undergraduate business students enrolled at a large US university were examined. Findings – Trainer directiveness and trainee learning goal orientations each additively predicted training satisfaction and transfer over and above one another and study controls. Further, trainer directiveness and trainee learning goal orientation jointly predicted satisfaction and transfer, such that the positive relationship between trainer directiveness and both outcomes was accentuated (more positive) when learning goal orientations were high (compared to low). Practical implications – This study suggests that scholars and practitioners need to be mindful of both trainer and trainee characteristics when evaluating potential training programs. In addition to selecting competent trainers, organizations might be well-served to encourage trainers to use a directive style. Further, organizations might be able to boost the positive effects of trainer directiveness on trainee satisfaction and transfer by priming (or selecting on) trainee learning goal orientations. Originality/value – With few exceptions, prior research has devoted comparatively little attention toward understanding how trainer characteristics influence training outcomes. Of this research, even less considers possible interactions between trainer and trainee characteristics. The present study provides an initial step toward addressing these gaps by examining the additive and joint influences of trainer directiveness and trainee learning goal orientations. Results support that additional variance in training satisfaction and transfer can be explained by considering both trainer and trainee characteristics in tandem.


2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aylin Mentiş Köksoy ◽  
Mehtap Aydıner Uygun

Achievement goal orientation (AGO) might help music teacher candidates make their learning processes more effective by revealing how they are motivated towards the learning tasks. In this respect, the purpose of this study was to examine the levels of achievement goal orientation of pre-service music teachers according to eight variables. The participants of the study consisted of 1250 undergraduate students studying in the departments of music education during the academic year 2013–2014 in Turkey. The data were collected through an Information Form and the Achievement Goal Orientation Scale (AOS). The results of the study revealed that gender, grade level, students’ achievement level and willingness had small effects on students’ learning goal orientation. Practice time in music, students’ evaluation of their own achievement levels among their peers, the extent to which students found themselves skilled in music and pursuing another profession had a medium effect on learning goal orientation. Informing students about the achievement goal orientation and the effects of these goals on the teaching and learning process may help students with their achievement goal orientations towards the desired direction.


1994 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 39-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harish Sujan ◽  
Barton A. Weitz ◽  
Nirmalya Kumar

Learning and performance goal orientations, two motivational orientations that guide salespeople's behavior, are related to working smart and hard. Working smart is defined as the engagement in activities that serve to develop knowledge of sales situations and utilize this knowledge in selling behavior. It is found that a learning goal orientation motivates working both smart and hard, whereas a performance goal orientation motivates only working hard. The goal orientations also are found to be alterable through supervisory feedback. Furthermore, self-efficacy, salespeople's confidence in their overall selling abilities, is found to moderate some of the relationships with the goal orientations.


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