Gender Diversity in Traditionally Male-dominated Teams: The Impact of Alternative Compositional Configurations
Abstract
Due to trends toward the use of team-based structures and increased demographic diversity in theworkforce, more and more organizations are relying on teams of diverse individuals to achievecomplex tasks. With the dramatic influx of women in the labor force over the last half centuryand likely continued growth into the future gender has become one of the most salient aspects ofdemographic diversity in modern organizations. Integrating women into many male-dominatedoccupations is often a challenge, and this study examines this issue within the context of infantryteams within the United States Marine Corps. Specifically, this study examines how theintroduction of female members to formerly all-male small infantry groups affects tacticaldecision-making and performance. Forty-teams of varied gender composition will perform fourdifferent tasks that mirror common small group operations and be observed by the research team.The research team will code communication patterns, leadership behaviors, decision-making,and decision implementation and examine how this is affected by gender composition.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 26, 2017
- Source ID
- N000141512070
Entities
People
- John Hollenbeck
Organizations
- Michigan State University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy