The Multiple Dimensions of

Implementation of Teamwork

Across Disciplines

Yin-Che Chen, Ph.D.The Pennsylvania State University

Workforce Education & Development

An Invited Talk On

National Hsinchu University of Education

The Multiple Dimensions of Implementation of Teamwork Across

Disciplines - 1

Definition of Teamwork

History and Importance of Teamwork

Theoretical Foundation of Teamwork

Models of Teamwork

Classifications of Teamwork

The Multiple Dimensions of Implementation of Teamwork Across

Disciplines - 2

Cases Study of Teamwork

ROTC

Listed Companies on Taiwan Stock Market

Teamwork Competencies Individual Evaluation of Teamwork Cognition

Suggestions and Discussions

Definition of Teamwork

A task group whose members are actively interdependent and share the common performance objectives

Enhancing and strengthening the organizations’ internal effectiveness between different units, groups, or councils

Source: Richard Beckhard (1969) ， Don Young & Dave Francis (1992), and Wendell L. French & Cecil H. Bell (1999)

History and Importance of Teamwork - 1

Global Competition

Emerging countries

Alliance and competition of regional

economies

Exchange of different economies

Industrial Collaboration and Transfer

New technology in product design,

manufacturing, and distribution.

The development of new industries

The transfer of production bases

History and Importance of Teamwork - 2

Exchange, Learning, and Cooperation of

Human Capital across Disciplines

Transfer of human capital

Training of human capital

Various learning of human capital

History and Importance of Teamwork - 3

The advantages brought by teamwork, the most important intervention of organizational development:

Enhance the efficiency of organizational operation

Create an organizational culture and climate

Expand organizational size

History and Importance of Teamwork - 4

Theoretical Foundation of Teamwork

Activity Group Process

Stage 1: Forming Orientation Testing and dependence

Stage 2: Storming Emotional response

to the demands

Intergroup conflict

Stage 3: Norming Open exchange

of relevant

information

Developing of group cohesion

Stage 4: Performing Emergence of

a solution Functional roles emerge

Bruce Tuckman (1965) teamwork theory:

Models of Teamwork - 1

Source: Dyer, W. G., Dyer, J. H., & Schein, E. H. (2007). Team building: strategies for improving team performance, 4th ed., John Wiley & Sons, p. 49.

Educator Coach Facilitator

Leader Power

Mature

phase

Start-up

phase

Group Power

Ineffective Team Effective Team

Source: Payne, V. (2001). Team-building workshop: A trainer's guide, Amacom Books, p. 5.

Models of Teamwork - 2

Classifications of TeamworkGiven the amount of the autonomy exercised

in different teams, a few common categories

are recognized:

Manager-led team

Self-managing team

Self-directing team

Self-governing teamSource: Dyer, W. G. (2005). Team building: Past, present, and future, John Wiley & Sons,

p. 406.

Case Study of Teamwork - 1

Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)Research Purpose

Determine the effectiveness and implemental result of teamwork in a military organization

Research Target and Time March, 2009 ROTC at The Pennsylvania State University Officers and Sergeants (n = 26)

Research Findings:Officers and Sergeant possessed the high level

of cognition toward teamwork and were willing to contribute their experience, knowledge, and expertise to their own team.

Officers and Sergeant considered themselves educators and worked as a high-managed team.

Officers and Sergeant thought the factors influencing teamwork were effective communication and clear team assignment.

Case Study of Teamwork - 1

Listed Companies on Taiwan Stock Market

Research Purpose Explore the relationship between teamwork and

organizations’ characteristics

Research Target and Time November, 2008 Listed companies on Taiwan stock market(n = 131)

Case Study of Teamwork - 2

Research findings:Teamwork was negatively associated with

turnover rate and tenured employee. Teamwork was positively associated with

training, compensation and benefits, and employee educational background.

Companies with higher ratio of male employee possessed higher performance of teamwork.

Companies located in North had better performance of teamwork.

Case Study of Teamwork - 2

Teamwork Competencies - 1

Setting clear, measurable goals

Making assignments clear and giving constructive

instructions

Using an effective decision-making process

Establishing accountability for satisfactory

performance

Running effective meetings

Building trust

Establishing open communication channels

Managing conflict

Encouraging risk-tasking and innovation

Creating mutual respect and collaboration

Teamwork Competencies - 2

Individual Evaluation of Teamwork Cognition - 1

InstructionsPlease circle a point from 1- 5 for each

question based on your belief

Please add the individual score of each

question and calculate the total score

High cognition of teamworkTotal score between 46 ～ 50

Moderate cognition of teamworkTotal score between 26 ～ 35

Low cognition of teamworkTotal score between 10 ～ 15

Individual Evaluation of Teamwork Cognition - 2

Suggestions and Discussions

Thank you for your Listening!