TEAMS - PANACEAS OR PRESCRIPTIONS FOR IMPROVED PERFORMANCE

This paper addresses the contribution of teams to organizational perfo rmance. It distinguishes between three types of team attributes: techn ical expertise, self-management, and self-leadership, reviewing each a ttribute and assessing its relative contribution to three aspects of o rganizational performance: cost, value, and innovation. The paper also addresses the issue of the relatively neglected factor of the develop ment costs of establishing and maintaining such groups and advocates a more rigorous approach to making a cost/benefit analysis before insti tuting teams. Finally, the paper advances a model of team development based on team attributes and performance objectives. Overall, therefor e, this paper advances a classification of team attributes which is in tended to facilitate team design and development, and which is potenti ally applicable to all teams in organizations.