The Benefits of Flexible Team Interaction During Crises

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Stachowski, Alicia A.; Kaplan, Seth A.; Waller, Mary J.
• 署名单位: George Mason University; York University - Canada
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0021-9010
• DOI: 10.1037/a0016903
• 发表日期: 2009
• 页码: 1536-1543
• 关键词: crisis; adaptive behaviors; COMMUNICATION; TEAM PERFORMANCE

摘要

Organizations increasingly rely on teams to respond to crises. While research on team effectiveness during nonroutine events is growing, naturalistic studies examining team behaviors during crises are relatively scarce. Furthermore, the relevant literature offers competing theoretical rationales concerning effective team response to crises. In this article, the authors investigate whether high- versus average-performing teams can be distinguished on the basis of the number and complexity of their interaction patterns. Using behavioral observation methodology, the authors coded the discrete verbal and nonverbal behaviors of 14 nuclear power plant control room crews as they responded to a simulated crisis. Pattern detection software revealed systematic differences among crews in their patterns of interaction. Mean comparisons and discriminant function analysis indicated that that higher performing crews exhibited fewer, shorter, and less complex interactions patterns. These results illustrate the limitations of standardized response patterns and highlight the importance of team adaptability. Implications for future research and for team training are included.