Faultline Detection and Mitigation in Teams
Abstract
The purpose of the proposed research is to understand the influence of diversity on group interaction and performance. In particular, this research examines a negative consequence of team diversity, faultlines, i.e. hypothetical dividing lines that generate subgroups within a team based on co-aligned attributes, most notably demographic characteristics, such as gender, race, age. Faultlines have been theorized to cause discordance within teams and have been often shown to hinder team performance. However, reported results in the current literature vary widely, suggesting that additional factors, such as ethnic culture, team task, task sequencing, social network of team members and time evolution may be important moderating factors in faultine activation and team performance. The research goal of this proposal is to (a) develop new theory that will provide a fundamental understanding of factors that trigger faultlines that negatively impact group performance, and (b) generate theoretical and practical methods, with particular focus on leadership styles, to mitigate the negative effects of faultlines. More specifically, this research will investigate faultline 1) Activation, by testing three major factors, surface (e.g. race, age, gender), deep (e.g. cultural values) level diversity and member social network, and the interaction of these factors with team composition, size and task. 2) Persistence, by examining how interactions over time and change in team composition (e.g. member entry and exit) contribute to faultline strength. 3) Performance, by investigating differential effects of faultlines on group performance. The research will have implications for the design and management of teams to enable high team performance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 08, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1610514
Entities
People
- Katia Sycara
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- United States Army