A MULTISTAGE INFLUENCE MODEL OF BARRIERS TO GROUP-PROBLEM SOLVING - APARTICIPANT-GENERATED AGENDA FOR SMALL-GROUP RESEARCH

Although writers frequently suggest future directions for small group research, it is not clear to what extent these suggestions arise from participant concerns rather than researcher interests. Not always do t he concerns of scholars coincide with the needs of the user This artic le presents a participant-generated agenda for small group research th at is constructed from a structural analysis of influence maps develop ed by seven groups over a 6-year period. Each of these groups was enga ged in the generation, structuring and interpretation of difficulties related to group work. A multistage influence model of barriers to gro up problem solving is developed from the group products, and suggestio ns are made for future research directions based on this model. The fo llowing agenda is proposed: (a) we must examine more carefully the rol e of contextual influences in group work (b) we need to provide strong er guidance on methodologies for group work, (c) we must find ways to fully integrate discussions of culture with group process, (d) we shou ld view climate and communication as primary conduits of group interac tion (e) we need to conduct more research an how attitudes an influenc ed by group factors, and (f) we need to broaden our view of the role o f process experts.