Overcoming roadblocks to effectiveness: Incorporating management of performance barriers into models of work group effectiveness

This study investigated how work groups manage performance barriers in thei r immediate environment to achieve effectiveness. Relationships were tested using data collected from 473 group members, 88 foremen, and 21 managers p ertaining to 88 maintenance and construction road crews in a state departme nt of transportation. Performance constraints were found to have a direct n egative relationship with performance. Through problem-management strategie s, crews were able to minimize these effects both directly and indirectly b y maintaining crew cohesion under more frequent and severe performance prob lems. In turn, self-management, leadership, and teamwork processes were fou nd to be related to crew use of problem-management actions and strategies. Areas for future research and research designs that can allow for capturing the dynamic and reciprocal nature of this relationship are suggested.