Culture and Work-Groups. 1: Effect on Information Presentation on Group Performance
Abstract
This report Is the first in a series on the effects of cultural heterogeneity on a cognitive decision making task, called RECON. in these studies cultural heterogeneity is examined in terms of the horizontal and vertical individualism and collectivism constructs. Group heterogeneity was manipulated by composing groups with different representations of the horizontal and vertical individualism and collectivism constructs represented by subjects with relatively high pretest scores on one of those dimensions. Subjects assigned to the vertical cultural value conditions perceived their feedback on the constructs as less accurate than subjects in the horizontal conditions. The heterogeneity manipulation did not effect performance on RECON (omega squared=.002). Visual display elements of RECON did have a significant effect: the clutter of cities on the map (14%, 17%, 20%; omega squared=.20); the coding of information about each city (numeric, geometrical shape, and color, omega squared=.02). These main effects were qualified by an interaction between clutter and coding (omega squared=.24). Unanalyzed in this report are variables relating to the group process (e.g., time to a decision and affective reaction to the members of the group). The results are discussed in terms of the appropriateness of RECON for group research, perceived versus actual cultural value differences, and application of our laboratory findings to real-world project teams.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 30, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA360363
Entities
People
- Dan Landia
- William O'shea
Organizations
- University of Mississippi