Teamwork

Assessing the performance of doctors in teams and systems

by Liz Farmer

Elizabeth A  Farmer    Jonathan D  Beard    W Dale  Dauphinee    Tony  LaDuca    & Karen V  Mann    Medical Education Volume 36 Issue 10, Pages 942 - 948

Introduction Increasing attention is being directed towards finding ways of assessing how well doctors perform in... more Introduction Increasing attention is being directed towards finding ways of assessing how well doctors perform in clinical practice. Current approaches rely on strategies directed at individuals only, but, in real life, doctors' work is characterised by multiple complex professional interactions. These interactions involve different kinds of teams and are embedded within the overall context and systems of care. In addition to individual factors, therefore, we propose that the performance of doctors in health care teams and systems will also impact on the overall quality of patient care. Assessing these dimensions, however, poses a number of challenges.

Strategies Taking a profile of a National Health Service, UK surgeon as an example, the team structures to which he or she may relate are illustrated. These include formal teams such as those found in the operating theatre, and those formed through various professional and collegial partnerships. The authors then propose a model for assessing doctors' performances in teams and systems, which incorporates the educational principles of continuous feedback to enhance future performance.

Discussion To implement the proposed model, a wide range of professional, educational and regulatory bodies must collaborate. This raises a number of important implications for the future roles and relationships of these bodies, which are discussed. A strong and constructive partnership will be essential if the full potential of a more inclusive and representative assessment approach is to be realised.

Does knowledge sharing and withholding of information in organizational committees affect quality of group decision-making?

by Caroline Kamau

Kamau, C. & Harorimana, D. (2008)

In today’s knowledge economy, there is an emphasis on group performance, such as in organizations’ committees, yet... more In today’s knowledge economy, there is an emphasis on group performance, such as in organizations’ committees, yet this performance is prone to productivity deficits. Like many other groups, organizational committees are prone to irrational decision-making in the form of groupthink and group polarization. We review evidence that groupthink involves avoidance of contradictory information, biased information sharing, self-censorship, reducing information on the outgroup and poor information pooling. For example, committee members’ conformity to the standards and expectations of an organization can lead them to withhold information that contradicts the organization’s “traditional” viewpoint. In other instances of groupthink, committee members may withhold information from their seniors in order to shield them from opposing views. Committee members undergoing groupthink may also display bias in their information search, such that they seek only that information which supports the committee’s prevailing opinion. We also review evidence showing that highly cohesive groups, those isolated from outside influence, and those with forthright leadership, are most at risk of groupthink. Improving the structure of a committee and having a leadership style that is process-directive, rather than outcome-directive, can reduce groupthink. We also review evidence on group polarization, which involves a shift by a group to an extremely risky or an extremely conservative viewpoint as a result of members influencing each other. We also discuss the impact of novel information on group polarization. We provide an analysis of the impact of faulty decision-making on the downfall of the bank Northern Rock. We consider the possible lack of objectivity in elements of the bank’s decision-making. The fact that Northern Rock did not receive a sufficient amount of outside regulation may have exacerbated groupthink. We discuss the likely role of risky shift in the bank’s attitude to risk and also consider the possible impact of forthright leadership on groupthink within Northern Rock. Groupthink and group polarization pose a danger to organizations that are required to continuously create, update and utilise knowledge in their decision-making, and to implement change in order to compete in shifting markets.

THE SUM IS LARGER THAN THAN ITS CONSTITUENT PARTS: Synergy in an online project management course

by Fahri Akdemir

Wilson, H & Fraser, B. 2003. An action research case study of active learning through dialogue, action and structure in self study distance education packages. Paper presented at Action Learning, Action Research & Process Management, 6th International World Congress (ALARPM), Participatory Action Research, 10th World Congress (PAR), 21 24 Sept 2003. [Non-accredited conference proceedings]

by Hentie Wilson

This Participatory Action Research project demonstrates a post-modern learning design in an industrialized... more This Participatory Action Research project demonstrates a post-modern learning design in an industrialized institution. A course team developed, implemented and piloted a Unisa course for South African mathematics teachers over eight years, using four Action Research cycles. This paper describes the process of using action research for Instructional Design and the team’s professional development through action learning. The Tornado-approach affects teams in organizations and the researcher suggests models for successful/unsuccessful teams (tornado-effect). (Unpublished as Masters Thesis)

Sauber Petronas 2005: Achieving much with comparatively little

by Christian Erk

Synergy: A Synthetic Study on Teams

by Fahri Akdemir

A Multicenter Trial of Aviation-Style Training for Surgical Teams

by Ken Catchpole

Improving patient safety by identifying latent failures in successful operations

by Ken Catchpole

The Issues and Benefits of an Intelligent Design Observatory

by Mario Storga

co-authored by Hicks, Ben J.; McAlpine Hamish C.; Torlind Peter; Štorga, Mario; Dong, Andy; Blanco, Eric
published in Proceedings of the DESIGN 2008 10th International DESIGN Conference, Dubrovnik, Croatia; FSB, The Design Society; 2008

In order to support today’s digital, knowledge-driven and highly distributed design activities there is a fundamental... more In order to support today’s digital, knowledge-driven and highly distributed design activities there is a fundamental requirement to improve the means by which design researchers observe industry practice, evaluate tools and methods, and assesses the state-of-the-art. A prerequisite for this is the ability to undertake more holistic investigation, perform controlled experiments, and capture, analyse and organise experimental data. To begin to address these issues the creation of an intelligent design observatory is proposed and the issues associated with designing the environment, monitoring and recording design activities, data processing and analysis, observation and measurement, and an appropriate experimental methodology are discussed.

An Intelligent Design Environment – Overcoming Fundamental Barriers to Realising a Step Change in Design Performance and Innovation?

by Mario Storga

co-authored by Hicks, Ben; McAlpine, Hamish; Blanco, Eric; Štorga, Mario; Torlind, Peter; Montagna, Francesca; Cantamessa, Marco
published in Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Engineering Design – ICED 09, Stanford University, Stanford, USA, 2009

In the modern design environment, demands on performance, innovation and productivity are always increasing as global... more In the modern design environment, demands on performance, innovation and productivity are always increasing as global competition rises and business models(such as the product-service paradigm) evolve. Central to the ability of organisations to realise continued improvements has been the widespread adoption of new design tools, methods, technologies and processes. Arguably, today’s highly distributed design teams are almost totally reliant on these elements to be successful. Whilst there is no doubt that they have improved performance in many cases, the sheer number and variety have given rise to new issues, such as information overload and analysis paralysis. This paper argues that one way to significantly improve this situation is via an ‘intelligent design environment’ in which the tools, methods, technologies and processes are active components that - where appropriate - intervene in the design activity. A network of design research groups have held workshops to theorise about possible active elements and their interventions. The results, consisting of an overview of possible active elements and interventions, fundamental research and technical challenges, and the possible benefits are discussed.

Shop-Floor Teamwork

by George Squires

Top Team Development in a Small Manufacturing Company

by George Squires

Shop-floor Teams - Fact Or Fiction?

by George Squires

Teamwork process in School

by Atique urRehman

Atique ur Rehman is currently working with Education Development Center USAID project Pre-STEP Pakistan as a Manager Strategic Planning and Institutional Development in Quetta Pakistan.

This qualitative study investigates and develops an in-depth understanding of teamwork in a Government Girls Higher... more This qualitative study investigates and develops an in-depth understanding of teamwork in a Government Girls Higher Secondary School Karachi. The study was conducted to gain a qualitative insight into teamwork process. Exploring how team(s) work in the school, and what consequences they lead to. This thesis argues that teamwork is an effective dimension which bridges the gaps between teachers and management. The study focuses on the Management Team, how it works, and how it influences other teams. The Management Team work described in four areas: origin of teamwork, the Management Teams activities, teachers and students’ perceptions about teamwork and the consequences of teamwork.
The study was contextual which required the qualitative case study paradigm. Interviews and observations were the main methods of data collection. It has analyzed the data using grounded theory development approach. The study was conducted in a Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Karachi. The primary research participants were three members of the Management Team (headmistress, two teachers), while secondary research participants were two teachers, and two students who were not involved in the Management Team.
The major findings of the study are: Teamwork leads to collectivism, develops a caring relationship, enhances commitment to school, and tends to lead to distributed leadership.
The study offers insights for school headteachers/headmistress, educational manager and teachers. It points out the importance of working together in improving school collaborative culture, building teams, and distributing task. The thesis also highlights teamwork effectiveness in terms of teachers’ involvement in the school management.

A not so Pacific voyage: the 'floating laboratory' of Nicolas Baudin

by Ralph Kingston

Teamwork Approach: An Investigation on Iranian Teamwork Attitudes

by Mostafa Nejati

Canadian Social Science Journal, Vol. 6 No. 3 (2010)

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to address the main problems in Iranian working teams and study the Iranian... more Purpose – The purpose of this article is to address the main problems in Iranian working teams and study the Iranian teamwork attitudes.Design/methodology/approach – The authors have examined several factors which affect teamwork performance. Besides, the Iranians attitudes and approaches in teamwork have been discussed and analyzed. Moreover, using Hofstede cultural dimensions, the teamwork characteristics of Iranians have been further discussed and compared with other countries in terms of cultural perspectives. Findings – Most common Iranian Teamwork Problems and Conflicts, as well their symptoms, results, and suggestions to resolve them have been discussed in the paper. Originality/value – The authors found out that the Hofstede’s studies about different cultural dimensions cannot explain the teamwork performance level of different countries. Rather, there are other factors such as the work environment which affect the quality of teamwork.

The Future of Teamwork: Orchestra or Jazz

by Karthikeyan Iyer

Published in the Innovator Column of Asian Educator, September 2011 Issue

They say that teamwork is all about synchronization – multiple people working hand-in-hand and marching step-in-step... more They say that teamwork is all about synchronization – multiple people working hand-in-hand and marching step-in-step to achieve a common goal. What rhythms do teams use to synchronize? This article looks at two different examples of teamwork rhythms – an orchestra and a jazz performance.

By getting a large number of musicians to play together in an orchestra, live performances could be brought to larger audiences. Of course, this kind of teamwork needed an orchestrator or conductor, who could centrally control the entire performance and provide cues to the musicians to stay in sync.

A jazz performance however, embodies a completely different kind of teamwork. Here, multiple musicians come together to play in concert, however, they do not depend on any external cues to synchronize with each other - they react to each other and improvise accordingly, while retaining their originality and spontaneity. Every jazz performance therefore is unique.


As Thomas Friedman so potently discusses in The Lexus And the Olive Tree, the defining characteristic of the new world is speed, not weight. Continued success needs innovation, collaboration, adaptation, improvisation and evolution. Will new world teams choose orchestra or jazz?

The Indispensability of Acquaintance in Teamwork

by EDILBERTO, JR. MARASIGAN

Journal

Assessing Teamwork and Collaboration in High School Students: A Multi-method Approach

by Carolyn MacCann

Wang, L., MacCann, C., Zhuang, X., Liu, O. L., & Roberts, R. D. (2009). Assessing teamwork skills: A multi-method approach. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 24, 108-124.

Various policy papers assert that teamwork is an essential skill for the 21st century workforce. However, outside of... more Various policy papers assert that teamwork is an essential skill for the 21st century workforce. However, outside of organizational psychology research with adult populations, there are few reliable assessments of this construct with suitable validity evidence for test scores. To redress this issue, self-report, situational judgment, and teacher-report assessments of teamwork were developed for high school students. Various multivariate techniques were used to determine the structure of the scales, including factor and latent class analysis. Measures showed reasonable reliability and satisfactory validity evidence: Self-report, situational judgment, and teacher-report measures intercorrelated, and these measures also related to academic achievement. The advantages and disadvantages of each methodology are discussed, as are possible uses of this assessment system (e.g., evaluation of school-based programs that infuse curricula with modules on teamwork).

Prichard, J. S., Stratford, R. J., & Bizo, L. A. (2011). Evaluating the effects of team-skills training on subjective workload. Learning & Instruction, 21, 429-440.

by Lewis Bizo