Abstract
This study tested predictions derived from Structural Adaptation Theory (SAT) on the longitudinal effects of centralizing and decentralizing decision-making structures in teams. Results from 93 four-person teams working on a command and control simulation generally supported SAT, documenting that it was more difficult for teams to adapt to a centralized decision-making structure after formerly working within a decentralized structure, than it was to adapt in the alternative direction. The negative effects of centralized shifts were mediated by efficiency and adaptability, in the sense that former decentralized teams experienced the negative aspects of centralization (lack of adaptability), but not the positive aspects (efficiency). The dangers of employing structural reconfiguration to solve certain problems in teams are discussed, especially if these changes are based upon expectations generalized from cross-sectional research that did not directly observe teams that experienced true structural change.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 64-74 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes |
Volume | 114 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2011 |
Keywords
- Adaptation
- Structure
- Teams
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Applied Psychology
- Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management