Understanding the relationship between individualism–collectivism and team performance through an integration of social identity theory and the social relations model

In studying the relationship between individualism–collectivism and team performance, empirical research has shown that individualistic team members exert a negative influence on team performance. However, theoretical understanding of why this relationship exists is lacking. Addressing this gap in the literature, this research proposes a theoretical model of the relationship between individualism–collectivism and team performance by integrating two previously distinct theories, social identity theory and the social relations model. Drawing upon these theories, we propose that team identification, meta-perception accuracy, and team identity will mediate the relationship between individualism–collectivism and team performance. Further, we posit that task interdependence will moderate the relationship between individualism–collectivism and team identifi-cation. In developing our work, we formulate testable propositions which are aligned with the specific relationships shown in our model. After presenting our model and propositions, we discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our work, and suggest areas for future research.

[1]  Paul Osterman,et al.  Work Reorganization in an Era of Restructuring: Trends in Diffusion and Effects on Employee Welfare , 2000 .

[2]  J. Hackman.  Group influences on individuals in organizations. , 1992 .

[3]  P. Earley.  Social Loafing and Collectivism: A Comparison of the United States and the People's Republic of China. , 1989 .

[4]  A. Greenwald.  The totalitarian ego: Fabrication and revision of personal history. , 1980 .

[5]  E. Kelly.  Individualism and collectivism , 1901 .

[6]  D. Funder.  On the accuracy of personality judgment: a realistic approach. , 1995, Psychological review.

[7]  Christopher J. Bamber,et al.  Measuring teamwork culture: the use of a modified EFQM model , 2003 .

[8]  J. Wagner.  Studies of Individualism-Collectivism: Effects on Cooperation in Groups , 1995 .

[9]  J. Wagner,et al.  Individualism-Collectivism: Concept and Measure , 1986 .

[10]  Bernard Karsh.  Human Resources Management in Japanese Large-Scale Industry , 1984 .

[11]  Bradley L. Kirkman,et al.  The impact of cultural values on job satisfaction and organizational commitment in self-managing work teams: The mediating role of employee resistance. , 2001 .

[12]  E. Sundstrom,et al.  Work teams: Applications and effectiveness. , 1990 .

[13]  J. Hackman,et al.  The design of work teams , 1987 .

[14]  M. D. Dunnette.  Handbook of Industrial and Organizational Psychology , 2005 .

[15]  Stephen J. Carroll,et al.  Individualism/Collectivism Orientations and Reactions Toward Alternative Human Resource Management Practices , 1998 .

[16]  H. Tajfel,et al.  The Social Identity Theory of Intergroup Behavior. , 2004 .

[17]  Robert L. Leahy,et al.  The Construction of the Self: A Developmental Perspective , 2001, Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy.

[18]  D. A. Kenny,et al.  Interpersonal Perception: A Social Relations Analysis , 1988 .

[19]  G. Hofstede,et al.  Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind , 1991 .

[20]  H. Markus,et al.  Individual and collective processes in the construction of the self: self-enhancement in the United States and self-criticism in Japan. , 1997, Journal of personality and social psychology.

[21]  B. Tuckman.  DEVELOPMENTAL SEQUENCE IN SMALL GROUPS. , 1965, Psychological bulletin.

[22]  J. Hackman,et al.  The Design of Self-Managing Work Groups , 1976 .

[23]  M. Kozan,et al.  THE INFLUENCE OF INTRA‐CULTURAL VALUE DIFFERENCES ON CONFLICT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES , 1999 .

[24]  S. Stryker.  Symbolic Interactionism: A Social Structural Version , 1980 .

[25]  M. Wilson,et al.  Putting the "Team" into Teamwork: Alternative Theoretical Contributions for Contemporary Management Practice , 1998 .

[26]  Keith James,et al.  In-Group Salience, Intergroup Comparison, and Individual Performance and Self-Esteem , 1989 .

[27]  P. Flood,et al.  Individualism/Collectivism, Perceived Task Interdependence and Teamwork Attitudes among Irish Blue-Collar Employees: a Test of the Main and Moderating Effects? , 2004 .

[28]  M. Hogg,et al.  Social Identity and Self-Categorization Processes in Organizational Contexts , 2000 .

[29]  Roy F. Baumeister,et al.  Self‐esteem, self‐presentation, and future Interaction: A dilemma of reputation , 1982 .

[30]  H. Tajfel.  Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations , 1982 .

[31]  D. A. Kenny,et al.  Do people know how others view them? An empirical and theoretical account. , 1993, Psychological bulletin.

[32]  Cristina B. Gibson,et al.  Taking Stock in Our Progress on Individualism-Collectivism: 100 Years of Solidarity and Community , 1998 .

[33]  G. Hofstede,et al.  Culture′s Consequences: International Differences in Work-Related Values , 1980 .

[34]  D. Cremer,et al.  Psychology in organizations: The social identity approach , 2001 .

[35]  Daniel J. Brass.  Structural Relationships, Job Characteristics, and Worker Satisfaction and Performance. , 1981 .

[36]  Mary E. Zellmer-Bruhn,et al.  Metaphors and Meaning: An Intercultural Analysis of the Concept of Teamwork , 2001 .

[37]  C. D. De Dreu,et al.  Task versus relationship conflict, team performance, and team member satisfaction: a meta-analysis. , 2003, The Journal of applied psychology.

[38]  Jennifer G. Boldry,et al.  Intergroup perception in naturally occurring groups of differential status : A social relations perspective , 1999 .

[39]  Gina J. Medsker,et al.  RELATIONS BETWEEN WORK GROUP CHARACTERISTICS AND EFFECTIVENESS: IMPLICATIONS FOR DESIGNING EFFECTIVE WORK GROUPS , 1993 .

[40]  S. Dolan,et al.  Exploratory Study of within-Country Differences in Work and Life Values , 2004 .

[41]  Robert Liebendorfer.  Mind, self and society , 1960 .

[42]  C. Hui.  Measurement of individualism-collectivism , 1988 .

[43]  B. Shamir,et al.  Calculations, Values, and Identities: The Sources of Collectivistic Work Motivation , 1990 .

[44]  S. Schwartz.  Universals in the Content and Structure of Values: Theoretical Advances and Empirical Tests in 20 Countries , 1992 .

[45]  Marilynn B. Brewer,et al.  Superodinate goals versus superordinate identity as bases of intergroup cooperation. , 2000 .

[46]  P. Earley.  Self or group? Cultural effects of training on self-efficacy and performance. , 1994 .

[47]  J. Tata,et al.  Team Self-Management, Organizational Structure, and Judgments of Team Effectiveness , 2004 .

[48]  R. C. Tripathi,et al.  Individualism in a collectivist culture: A case of coexistence of opposites. , 1994 .

[49]  J. Meredith,et al.  Videotape review leads to rapid and sustained learning. , 2003, American journal of surgery.

[50]  Cristina B. Gibson,et al.  “Exporting” teams: enhancing the implementation and effectiveness of work teams in global affiliates , 2001 .

[51]  T E Malloy,et al.  Self-observation of social behavior and metaperception. , 1999, Journal of personality and social psychology.

[52]  John Cordery,et al.  Trust, individualism and job characteristics as predictors of employee preference for teamwork , 2003 .

[53]  M. A. Campion,et al.  The Knowledge, Skill, and Ability Requirements for Teamwork: Implications for Human Resource Management , 1994 .

[54]  B M DePaulo,et al.  Accuracy of person perception: do people know what kinds of impressions they convey? , 1987, Journal of personality and social psychology.

[55]  Dianna L. Stone,et al.  Cross-cultural differences in responses to feedback: Implications for individual, group, and organizational effectiveness , 2002 .

[56]  H. Triandis,et al.  Collectivism v. Individualism: A Reconceptualisation of a Basic Concept in Cross-cultural Social Psychology , 1988 .

[57]  K. Weick,et al.  Collective mind in organizations: Heedful interrelating on flight decks. , 1993 .

[58]  E. Bourne,et al.  Can we describe an individual's personality? agreement of stereotype versus individual attributes. , 1977, Journal of personality and social psychology.

[59]  H. Tajfel,et al.  An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. , 1979 .

[60]  G. Verma,et al.  Cross-cultural studies of personality, attitudes and cognition , 1988 .

[61]  G. Dobbins,et al.  Collectivistic orientation in teams: an individual and group-level analysis , 1997 .

[62]  Bradley L. Kirkman,et al.  The Impact of Cultural Values on Employee Resistance to Teams: Toward A Model of Globalized Self-Managing Work Team Effectiveness , 1997 .

[63]  Fred A. Mael,et al.  Social identity theory and the organization , 1989 .

[64]  James D. Thompson.  Organizations in Action , 1967 .

[65]  Chet Robie,et al.  Applying the social relations model to self and peer evaluations , 2001 .

[66]  Michael J. Platow,et al.  Social Identity at Work : Developing Theory for Organizational Practice , 2014 .

[67]  S. G. Cohen,et al.  What Makes Teams Work: Group Effectiveness Research from the Shop Floor to the Executive Suite , 1997 .

[68]  H. Triandis.  Cross-cultural studies of individualism and collectivism. , 1989, Nebraska Symposium on Motivation. Nebraska Symposium on Motivation.

[69]  Amitai Etzioni,et al.  Tomorrow the World , 2006 .

[70]  A. Zander,et al.  Group dynamics, research and theory , 1955 .

[71]  Harry C. Triandis,et al.  Individualism and collectivism: Theory, method, and applications. , 1996 .

[72]  P. Flood,et al.  Employee Attitudes and Behavioral Intentions: A Test of the Main and Moderating Effects of Individualism-Collectivism Orientations , 2002 .

[73]  Peter B. Smith.  The effectiveness of japanese styles of management: a review and critique , 1984 .

[74]  H. Triandis.  The Self and Social Behavior in Differing Cultural Contexts , 1989 .

[75]  R. Golembiewski.  Handbook of Organizational Behavior , 2001 .

[76]  H C Triandis,et al.  Values, attitudes, and interpersonal behavior. , 1980, Nebraska Symposium on Motivation. Nebraska Symposium on Motivation.

[77]  Heather M. Coon,et al.  Rethinking individualism and collectivism: evaluation of theoretical assumptions and meta-analyses. , 2002, Psychological bulletin.

[78]  P. McLeod,et al.  Effects of Ethnic Group Cultural Differences on Cooperative and Competitive Behavior On a Group Task , 1991 .

[79]  D. A. Kenny,et al.  The Social Relations Model , 1984 .