Collective Orientation and Team Performance: Development of an Individual Differences Measure

Abstract

Objective: We examine the construct of collective orientation, develop a measure to assess individual differences in collective orientation, and examine the extent to which the collective orientation of team members predicts performance on a variety of team tasks. Background: Scholars increasingly emphasize the importance of teamwork in collaborative work environments, and evidence indicates that a lack of teamwork is a prominent factor in many real-world accidents. Although it is clear that some persons are more team oriented than others are, there are few instruments available to assess individual differences in collective orientation in a team context. Method: We develop a scale to measure collective orientation in teams, gather evidence on reliability and construct validity, and examine the extent to which collective orientation predicts team performance. Results: Results indicate that the Collective Orientation Scale is reliable, correlates with cognate measures, and predicts performance on a variety of team tasks. Conclusion: We discuss the role of collective orientation in teams and the application of this scale to assess and diagnose teamwork deficiencies in work groups. Application: This research should contribute to a further understanding of factors that influence collaboration and coordination in teams.