Assessing the incremental validity of team consensus ratings over aggregation of individual-level data in predicting team effectiveness

Using data collected from 98 work teams, empowerment levels were assessed b ased on the aggregation of individual team member ratings as well as on a t eam consensus approach utilized after aggregation. These 2 methods of measu ring team empowerment were then compared on their ability to predict manage r ratings of team effectiveness on 4 dimensions. Findings demonstrated that the consensus method of measuring team empowerment explained significantly greater variance in team effectiveness than did the aggregation method alo ne. We discuss implications for team research and practice based on these f indings and include a discussion on when using consensus after aggregation may be most appropriate.