Not another team assignment! Student perceptions towards teamwork at university management programs

Abstract

PurposeAs group work is becoming more common in the classroom, teamwork as an andragogical tool continues to be problematic for students in management programs. The purpose of this paper is to determine how university students perceive teamwork and to identify teamwork problems along with potential solutions.Design/methodology/approachA triangulation mixed-methods approach was used. In study 1, qualitative data were gathered from a focus group comprising nine students. In study 2, quantitative data were gathered from an online survey completed by 127 students.FindingsThe data were analyzed using content analysis and ordinary least squares regression. The results indicated that free-rider experiences and peer evaluation are two key areas in determining dissatisfaction with teamwork. Teamwork challenges may be addressed via knowledgeable team leaders who balance task and relationship styles, equitable workloads, smaller team sizes, anonymous peer evaluations and the effective use of technology.Practical implicationsThe findings are valuable to educators at tertiary-level institutions who utilize teamwork as an andragogical tool.Originality/valueThis study was designed to deepen understanding of university students' dissatisfaction with teamwork in Trinidad and Tobago and provide andragogical improvements that can be implemented to enhance the students' teamwork experience.